How to scan my entire computer for video media files？

To scan your entire computer for video media files, you can approach the task in multiple ways depending on your operating system (Windows, macOS, Linux) and whether you prefer using built-in tools or third-party software. 

1.Scanning for Video Files

Video files come in a variety of formats, such as MP4. MKV, AVI, MOV, and others. Depending on your media library, these files may be scattered across various folders on your computer. Locating and organizing these video files can help you free up storage space, back them up, or transfer them to other devices.

2. Methods to Scan for Video Files

2.1 Using File Explorer or Finder (Built-In Tools)

2.1.1 For Windows Users: File Explorer Search

Windows provides an intuitive way to locate video files through its built-in File Explorer. The File Explorer search tool allows you to search for specific file types and extensions.

Steps:

Open File Explorer:

Press the Windows key + E on your keyboard to open File Explorer.

Alternatively, click the File Explorer icon on your taskbar.

Navigate to the Search Bar:

In the top-right corner of the File Explorer window, you’ll see a search bar.

Enter the Search Query:

To locate all video files, use the kind:=video keyword.

Example: kind:=video will display all video files in the selected folder.

If you want to search for specific video formats, you can type the extensions:

Example: *.mp4. *.mkv, *.avi.

Searching Across the Entire PC:

To search your entire computer, navigate to the “This PC” directory in File Explorer.

Enter the search query, and Windows will scan your entire hard drive.

Refining the Search:

You can narrow down your search by adding other keywords such as file size (size:>500MB) or date modified (datemodified:>1/1/2023).

Pros:

No need for third-party software.

Simple to use.

Cons:

Slower for large directories.

Limited filtering options.

Cannot perform complex searches, such as finding duplicate files.

2.1.2 For macOS Users: Finder Search

macOS users can use Finder, which is the default file management tool, to search for video files.

Steps:

Open Finder:

Click on the Finder icon located in the Dock.

Use the Search Field:

In the top-right corner of the Finder window, there is a search field.

Select “This Mac”:

After typing the search term, select “This Mac” at the top to search your entire computer.

Search for Video Files:

You can use specific file extensions (e.g., .mp4. .mov, .avi), or use a more general approach by typing kind:video.

Filter Results:

Finder allows you to filter results by date, file size, and more using the “Filter” options below the search bar.

Pros:

Built-in functionality.

Easy to use for basic searches.

Cons:

Limited advanced options like searching for duplicates.

Slower for larger directories.

2.2 Using Command Line Tools (For Advanced Users)

2.2.1 For Windows Users: Command Prompt/PowerShell

Windows Command Prompt and PowerShell can be used to scan for video files quickly, especially in larger directories.

Command Prompt Method:

Open Command Prompt:

Press Windows + R, type cmd, and press Enter.

Use the Dir Command:

To scan for specific video file types, navigate to the directory you want to search (or start from the root C:\) and use the following command:

bash

dir /s *.mp4 *.mkv *.avi

The /s switch will search all subdirectories as well.

PowerShell Method:

Open PowerShell:

Press Windows + X and choose Windows PowerShell.

Run a Get-ChildItem Command:

Use the following command to recursively search for video files:

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Get-ChildItem -Path C:\ -Recurse -Include *.mp4. *.mkv, *.avi

Pros:

Faster for experienced users.

Highly customizable searches.

Cons:

Requires knowledge of commands.

Not suitable for beginners.

2.2.2 For macOS/Linux Users: Terminal Search

On macOS and Linux, you can use the terminal to search for video files using the find or locate command.

Find Command:

Open Terminal:

Press Cmd + Space, type Terminal, and press Enter.

Run the Command:

Use the find command to search for video files:

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find / -name “*.mp4” -or -name “*.mkv” -or -name “*.avi”

The / specifies the root directory, and the -or option allows you to search for multiple extensions at once.

Pros:

Flexible and powerful.

Works across multiple file systems.

Cons:

Requires knowledge of terminal commands.

Can take time on large drives.

2.3 Using Third-Party Software

If you prefer a more user-friendly or feature-rich experience, several third-party tools can help scan your computer for video files. These tools often offer additional functionalities like file organization, duplicate detection, and format conversion.

2.3.1 Everything (Windows)

Everything is a popular tool for searching files on Windows. It builds an index of your hard drive, allowing for near-instantaneous searches.

Steps:

Download and Install Everything:

Visit the official website and download the software.

Install and launch the tool.

Search for Video Files:

In the search bar, type the video file extension (*.mp4. *.mkv, etc.).

Alternatively, you can use the kind:video filter to search for all video formats.

Additional Features:

Everything provides fast indexing, allowing you to organize or move your files quickly.

Pros:

Lightning-fast search.

User-friendly interface.

Ability to handle large volumes of data.

Cons:

Windows-only.

No advanced video-related features like duplicate detection.

2.3.2 EasyFind (macOS)

For macOS users, EasyFind is an excellent alternative to Finder’s built-in search tool. It allows for more customizable and thorough searches.

Steps:

Download and Install EasyFind:

Visit the official website, download, and install EasyFind.

Search for Video Files:

Launch the software and enter video file extensions in the search bar (e.g., *.mp4).

Alternatively, use the filter option to scan for video media.

Additional Features:

Supports advanced search queries, Boolean operators, and even searches hidden files.

Pros:

Flexible search options.

Free to use.

Cons:

Limited to macOS.

2.3.3 dupeGuru (Windows, macOS, Linux)

dupeGuru is a cross-platform tool designed to help find duplicate files, including videos.

Steps:

Download and Install dupeGuru:

Visit the official website, download, and install the tool for your operating system.

Scan for Video Files:

Open dupeGuru and select the folder or drive you want to scan.

Use the “Video” mode to locate duplicate video files.

Sort and Delete Duplicates:

dupeGuru highlights duplicate files, allowing you to delete or move them.

Pros:

Cross-platform.

Great for finding duplicate video files.

Cons:

Primarily focused on duplicates, so it may not be the best choice for a simple scan.

3. Organizing and Managing Video Files

Once you’ve successfully scanned your computer for video files, you may want to organize them. Here are some additional tips to manage your video files effectively:

3.1 Grouping Files by Format or Size

Use folder organization to group videos based on format (e.g., MP4. AVI).

Consider sorting by file size to prioritize large files for backup or deletion.

3.2 Backing Up Your Video Files

After scanning and organizing, ensure that your valuable video files are backed up to external hard drives, cloud storage, or network-attached storage (NAS).

3.3 Deleting Unnecessary or Duplicate Files

Use tools like dupeGuru or built-in duplicate finders to eliminate unnecessary copies.