
If you do not explicitly mention the directory path, the current working directory will be the default location. The “ -Path” parameter is also utilized to set the paths of one or more locations of files. This option will help PowerShell list all the child items of the specified directory. If you want to list files and directories of a specific directory, utilize the “ -Path” parameter in the “ Get-ChildItem” command. Example 1: Listing child items in a specific directory using the “-Path” parameter Let’s check some examples of listing files in PowerShell. Here are some of the attributes of the Get-ChildItem cmdlet, which are utilized to list files or folders according to specified attributes. Operators used with Get-ChildItem command in PowerShellįollowing are the operators that are used with the Get-ChildItem cmdlet:Īttributes of Get-ChildItem command in PowerShell Get-ChildItem does not show empty directories when “ -Recurse” or “ -Depth” options are used in a Get-ChildItem command. In the other case, when you use it on a directory, this command returns a list of files and subdirectories that comes under it. When you utilize “ Get-ChildItem” on a system, it lists files, directories, and subdirectories. Like the “ dir /s,” if you want to retrieve data from the child containers, you must use the “ -Recurse” parameter.Ī file system can be anything from a certificate store to a registry hive shared path directory or local. Registry and Files are referred to as child items in the subfolders of PowerShell. The items will get their child items from the container. It also lists out objects or items from one or more file locations provided. This cmdlet retrieves data from a specific location.
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In PowerShell, “ Get-ChildItem” performs the same function as “ dir” in the Windows command prompt. Let’s know more about this commendable command. To extend that functionality, you need to use the various switches, or options, associated with the command.

If you have any problem listing files in a directory with PowerShell, then this post is here to rescue you! PowerShell utilizes the “ Get-ChildItem” command to list files present in a directory. You can use the DIR command by itself (just type dir at the Command Prompt) to list the files and folders in the current directory. Listing files is an operation that PowerShell does effortlessly. Many users may believe that exploring files in the Graphical User Interface (GUI) is far more convenient than messing with the command line or PowerShell. When you want to know what files are on your system, you surely need to list them. These cmdlets are utilized to perform a specific operation, such as pinging a remote computer, reading a particular file, etc.

Many useful functions and commands are available in PowerShell, which are known as cmdlets. Its goal is to assist its users in creating efficient tools and scripts for helping them accomplish their jobs more effectively. PowerShell is a freely available, open-source Microsoft automation and scripting platform.
