Copy selected files to another folder using powershell

Question

I am trying to accomplish the following:

Open a Windows File Explorer and navigate to a particular folder.
Select certain files and/or folders within that folder using the mouse.
Write a powershell script that detects the files/folders I have selected, and copies to another location.

What I need to know, is there a way for powershell to detect the files I have selected in the File Explorer? I have tried to locate resources online to give me some insight, but no luck, either it isn't possible or I am searching the wrong terminology.

Why would you accomplish this? Most likely it makes more sense to use an OpenFileDialog. — vrdse
– vrdse, Commented Feb 26, 2018 at 18:20
I am working on a large website not under version control, trying to write this script to copy certain files and/or folders I have made changes to, to another folder to diff the test site with the live site - could be anywhere from a few files to a few hundred. Currently I am manually copying and pasting these into a separate folder to diff them, looking for a way to automate the process. — Laslos
– Laslos, Commented Feb 26, 2018 at 18:27
I will try the OpenFileDialog - seems like it may meet my needs. — Laslos
– Laslos, Commented Feb 26, 2018 at 18:35
I also think that the OpenFileDialog control (which you can use in powershell) is probably the best bet. Having said that you can use it with Out-Gridview also. — EBGreen
– EBGreen, Commented Feb 26, 2018 at 18:35
You may want to look at this answer: stackoverflow.com/questions/15932881/… — TToni
– TToni, Commented Feb 26, 2018 at 18:42

vrdse · Accepted Answer · 2018-02-26 19:36:46Z

1

Most likely it makes more sense to use an OpenFileDialog.

answered Feb 26, 2018 at 19:36

vrdse

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Esperento57 · Accepted Answer · 2018-02-27 05:04:24Z

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Something like this (keep CTRL key pressed and select your files)

$OpenFileDialog = New-Object System.Windows.Forms.OpenFileDialog
$OpenFileDialog.initialDirectory = "c:\temp"
$OpenFileDialog.filter = "All files (*.*)| *.*"
$OpenFileDialog.Multiselect=$true
$OpenFileDialog.ShowDialog() | Out-Null
$OpenFileDialog.FileNames | Copy-Item -Destination "C:\tempdest"
$OpenFileDialog.Dispose()

answered Feb 27, 2018 at 5:04

Esperento57

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Esperento57 · Accepted Answer · 2018-02-27 05:08:24Z

1

Or without explorer (then you can navigate, but if you know your directory its an other method) :

Get-ChildItem "c:\temp" -file | 
    Out-GridView -Title "Select your files" -OutputMode Multiple | 
        Copy-Item -Destination "C:\tempdest"

answered Feb 27, 2018 at 5:08

Esperento57

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