How to exclude a folder from a string search

Question

>>"results\txtmail.txt" findstr /i /p /s mail %userprofile%\*.txt

Now, what if I want to exclude C:\Users\Username\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5 from the search?

Answer 1

After finding that findstr ignores the hidden bit and finds files in hidden folders regardless, I then used the for command (which does respect it) to come up with the following, set out for a batch file:-

@echo off
pushd %userprofile%
for /r %%f in (*.txt) do echo %%f | findstr "\Temporary" >NUL: || findstr /i /p mail "%%f" nul:
popd

Notes:-

• I've not managed to get for /r to work when I add a directory path inside the file match, hence the use of pushd/popd.
• The first findstr looks for \Temporary (this could be elaborated) in the file path and executes the second findstr only if it's not found.
• The extra nul: parameter on the second findstr ensures that the file name is printed with the found string: it's normally omitted when there is only one file passed (there may be another way to do this, but I don't often use this command).
• If you are doing this often you may like to consider moving the internet cache to another directory outside the user profile.

I was checking out this solution when David Postill's comment appeared above. I've only just noticed it, but I'll submit my answer anyway, as it adds a couple of points that need to be considered in any solution.