C# - Find a file within all possible folders, and open that file

Question

I want my application to search through the whole computer for a specific file, and open it. I tried:

var files = new List<string>();
foreach (DriveInfo d in DriveInfo.GetDrives().Where(x => x.IsReady == true))
{
    files.AddRange(Directory.GetFiles(d.RootDirectory.FullName, "Kalimba.mp3", SearchOption.AllDirectories));
}

Got error: No access C:\$Recycle.Bin\S-1-5-18.

Questions asking for code must demonstrate a minimal understanding of the problem being solved. Include attempted solutions, why they didn't work, and the expected results. — ashatte, Nov 13 '13 at 13:11
Upvoted for the correction to bring in-line with SO rules =) I get flamed so much even though i try! — Paul C, Nov 13 '13 at 13:13
I'd use the windows search API http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?displaylang=en&id=7388 — asawyer, Nov 13 '13 at 13:16
Your application needs to be launched with **administrator rights** — , Nov 13 '13 at 13:16
@Jonesy - Can i do something like: if name contains "1212", "2414", "4324" something like that? — user2944342, Nov 13 '13 at 13:16

score 3 · Answer 1 · edited May 23 '17 at 12:33

3

Well your DirectoryInfo.GetFiles method throws an UnauthorizedAccessException exception cause you don't have access to this hidden directory.

Correction: catch the exception.

UPDATE: as the comments say, you're getting all your files in a single GetFiles call, so catching the exception won't help. Slightly modify your code to manually get the list of directories, so you can catch and handle the exception for the specific directory you have not rights on.

See How to recursively list all the files in a directory in C#? for a complete example.

edited May 23 '17 at 12:33

Community

1
1

answered Nov 13 '13 at 13:16

ken2k

48,145
10
116
176

Just catching the exception won't do. The operation would stop. The directory should be skipped. – Mike Perrenoud Nov 13 '13 at 13:17
Catching the exception is not a solution since OP uses `SearchOption.AllDirectories`. Then it's likely that he won't find his file. He needs to use his own method to traverse all folders recursively to catch an exception at one folder or file instead of at the root-folder. – Tim Schmelter Nov 13 '13 at 13:17
I read the question too fast, you're both totally right. Edited the question. Thanks for pointing out the mistake. – ken2k Nov 13 '13 at 13:21

C# - Find a file within all possible folders, and open that file

1 Answers1