Move all files from subdirectories into main directory

Posted by Martin in Operating Systems, Tools, Windows, software  Tags: , , , , ,

7

Apr



When I extract multiple archives at once I use a setting that creates a directory of the same name in the main folder. This isn’t such a big problem normally if I decided to keep the extracted files in the new folder but it sometimes becomes a problem when I need all the files in one directory. Lets take the following example. I have downloaded twenty videoclips as archives and extracted them into twenty subdirectories of the download folder on my hard drive.

I used to move each file manually from the subdirectory into the main directory until I could not take it anymore and decided to search for a solution that would automatically move all files in all subdirectories of a selected folder into that folder. I did find Dir Utils, a software that can do that and much more.

Dir Utils adds six entries to the right-click menu, among them is the option called Unify which moves all files from all subdirectories (and their subdirectories..) into the main folder.

Here are the five other options that are available:

  • Extensionize: Categorises files in a folder by their extensions. It is possible to move all video files into one subfolder, all audio files and so on. That’s the only option that comes with its own .ini file that can be configured to add file types to groups.
  • Alphabetize: Moves files in a directory automatically into subdirectories beginning with the first char of their name. Chars beginning with a-z will be moved to the subdirectories a-z accordingly, all numbers will be moved to the subdirectory 0, all file s beginning with any other char will be moved to the ! subdirectory. Great for directories with many files in them.
  • Arrange: Automatically creates subdirectories for multi-volume archives. I’m using Extract Now for that purpose.
  • Unzip: Will find all zip files and unzip them into a directory with the same name. I’m using Extract Now for that purpose.
  • New Dir: Reduces the number of clicks needed to create a new subdirectory from 3 to 2.

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12 Users Commented In This Post

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Bryan says, April 9th, 2008   

Awesome app. I’ve already fallen in love with its abilities. This baby from this day forward will save me a ton of time. Oh…if you pair this app with Zipalot then you have a winning combination.

Dir Utils, gestire al meglio lo spostamento di file tra cartelle - Geekissimo says, April 9th, 2008   

[...] Via | gHacks [...]

Save Time Organizing Files with Dir Utils’ Right-Click Tools [Featured Windows Download] » Lifehacker, tips and downloads for getting things done says, April 10th, 2008   

[...] Windows only: Dir Utils, a free right-click extension for Windows systems, is a great utility for anyone who regularly finds themselves organizing downloads and media files. The utility adds five new options to Windows’ right-click menu, including “Unify,” which grabs files from a folder’s sub-directories and moves them all up to the main folder; “Alphabetize,” which puts all files in sub-folders into A-Z folders based on file name; and “Extensionize,” which does the same based on file extensions. In other words, Dir Utils saves you the time you would’ve spent re-organizing MP3s, gathering a seasons’ worth of episode videos, and keeping a hefty downloads folder organized. Dir Utils is a free download for Windows systems only. Dir Utils [via gHacks] [...]

Save Time Organizing Files with Dir Utils’ Right-Click Tools « Unleash your inner geek says, April 10th, 2008   

[...] “Windows only: Dir Utils, a free right-click extension for Windows systems, is a great utility for anyone who regularly finds themselves organizing downloads and media files. The utility adds five new options to Windows’ right-click menu, including “Unify,” which grabs files from a folder’s sub-directories and moves them all up to the main folder; “Alphabetize,” which puts all files in sub-folders into A-Z folders based on file name; and “Extensionize,” which does the same based on file extensions. In other words, Dir Utils saves you the time you would’ve spent re-organizing MP3s, gathering a seasons’ worth of episode videos, and keeping a hefty downloads folder organized. Dir Utils is a free download for Windows systems only.” Dir Utils [via gHacks] [...]

Save Time Organizing Files with Dir Utils’ Right-Click Tools [Featured Windows Download] · TechBlogger says, April 10th, 2008   

[...] Windows only: Dir Utils, a free right-click extension for Windows systems, is a great utility for anyone who regularly finds themselves organizing downloads and media files. The utility adds five new options to Windows’ right-click menu, including “Unify,” which grabs files from a folder’s sub-directories and moves them all up to the main folder; “Alphabetize,” which puts all files in sub-folders into A-Z folders based on file name; and “Extensionize,” which does the same based on file extensions. In other words, Dir Utils saves you the time you would’ve spent re-organizing MP3s, gathering a seasons’ worth of episode videos, and keeping a hefty downloads folder organized. Dir Utils is a free download for Windows systems only. Dir Utils [via gHacks] [...]

Roman ShaRP says, April 12th, 2008   

I do it in very simple way - cut from filemanager search screen, and paste where I need them.

Leslie says, April 15th, 2008   

your link doesn’t work

GSC says, April 17th, 2008   

Link broken!

Copy all to one folder says, May 21st, 2008   

[...] recently covered how to move all files from subdirectories into main directory using a Windows shell extension. If you prefer a clean shell you might be delighted to hear that [...]

Stuart says, May 26th, 2008   

I had this utility and my laptop was stolen. Does anyone know where i can get it. I loved it and would like to get it again. Perhaps if someone already downloaded it they could host it for a few people
Thanks

djnutz says, May 30th, 2008   

Since the creators website is down:

Posted the link and a Vista work around on my site that I haven’t updated. http://www.djnutz.com. Great program though and found the install file on my desktop. Enjoy.

Stuart says, May 30th, 2008   

Thanks very much. I really appreciate it

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