Unable to exclude directory using Get-ChildItem -Exclude parameter in Powershell

Question

I am using Powershell v 2.0. and copying files and directories from one location to another. I am using a string[] to filter out file types and also need to filter out a directory from being copied over. The files are being filtered out correctly, however, the directory I am trying to filter obj keeps being copied.

$exclude = @('*.cs', '*.csproj', '*.pdb', 'obj')
    $items = Get-ChildItem $parentPath -Recurse -Exclude $exclude
    foreach($item in $items)
    {
        $target = Join-Path $destinationPath $item.FullName.Substring($parentPath.length)
        if( -not( $item.PSIsContainer -and (Test-Path($target))))
        {
            Copy-Item -Path $item.FullName -Destination $target
        }
    }

I've tried various ways to filter it, \obj or *obj* or \obj\ but nothing seems to work.

Thanks for any assistance.

See also stackoverflow.com/q/15294836/399704 for a similar question — Aaron D
– Aaron D, Commented Jul 8, 2014 at 18:32

Dr1Ku · Accepted Answer · 2015-06-25 09:26:23Z

57

The -Exclude parameter is pretty broken. I would recommend you to filter directories that you don't want using Where-Object (?{}). For instance:

$exclude = @('*.cs', '*.csproj', '*.pdb')
$items = Get-ChildItem $parentPath -Recurse -Exclude $exclude | ?{ $_.fullname -notmatch "\\obj\\?" }

P.S.: Word of warning – don't even think about using -Exclude on Copy-Item itself.

edited Jun 25, 2015 at 9:26

Dr1Ku

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answered Nov 7, 2013 at 17:53

manojlds

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4 Comments

Flea Over a year ago

Thanks! Worked like a charm!

VertigoRay Over a year ago

If you're looking for a POSH 5.0 example or a way to handle multiple excludes, take a look at this answer: stackoverflow.com/a/35993562/615422

Moose Over a year ago

What is the role of "$_.fullname -notmatch '//obj//' here ? Sorry i am new to powershell wildcards.

Sabuncu Over a year ago

Upvote for "The -Exclude parameter is pretty broken" because it is, and you're the first/only one who's diagnosed the problem. Thanks.

Bill the Lizard · Accepted Answer · 2014-09-05 14:06:36Z

7

I use this to list files under a root but not include the directories

$files = gci 'C:\' -Recurse  | Where-Object{!($_.PSIsContainer)}

edited Sep 5, 2014 at 14:06

Bill the Lizard

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answered Sep 5, 2014 at 14:02

Stuzc

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Comments

Bjorn Mistiaen · Accepted Answer · 2014-12-13 17:18:29Z

4

Get-ChildItem -Path $SourcePath -File -Recurse | 
Where-Object { !($_.FullName).StartsWith($DestinationPath) }

answered Dec 13, 2014 at 17:18

Bjorn Mistiaen

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