Finding Specific text strings

[stoo23]

Hey guys, I have a need to find some Specific text strings, that also contain some numbers and a Symbol or two,... in a Whole bunch of Files and Folders.

I'm trying to find Words & Statements, that relate to a Programs installation default settings, so they can be changed, without having to open every file in every folder and searching them, to find which file contains the specific words.

Is there or has there been a program that can achieve something like that ever posted here that you are aware of ??

Thanks, in advance 

[NoCforMe]

Sounds like you need a text-search utility that uses regular expressions.
Sorry, don't have anything specific to recommend, but I do know they exist.
If I find something I'll pass it along.

[zedd151]

Seems you need something that has text search with multiple wildcard characters, and  multiple search terms as well?

I use a program called "Everything.exe", it not only searches for files by file name, but also searches for strings within the contents of files. Partial input file names are ok, even if only an extension, or even searches all files within a given directory for given strings, including non text based files.

https://www.voidtools.com/support/everything/
https://www.voidtools.com/downloads/

For the functionality you desire, click on "Search", then "Advanced Search" on the Menu bar. A dialog box will open, for advanced searching functionality.

Writing such a program is beyond my humble skills.    my simple search functions are fairly trivial affairs, but not what you need.

Are you sure the strings you need are in some file? (.ini or other) and not in the windows registry? (regedit.exe)

[NoCforMe]

Here's one regular-expression text finder I found for Windows.
Basically an implementation of the Unix "grep" command.
Haven't tried it, but it should be able to find what you're looking for in any number of files.

[Biterider]

Hi stoo23
GrepWin is the best tool I have found and I have been using it for years.
It also supports regex search.

https://github.com/stefankueng/grepWin/releases/tag/2.1.7

Regards, Biterider

[stoo23]

Hey, thanks guys  I'll have a look at those.

What I'm looking for Won't be stored in the Windows Registry, as the program, is installed on a dedicated Linux VPS   
I DO have all the files & Folders stored locally, so Can use Windows progs' to search with.

I'm simply trying to find (and change) the apparent default installed ownership of a program, I initially setup to test and show to a friend to see if it suited, (which it did) ... an E-Commerce programme and it has started arguing with us, when we are very close to finalising it and setting up the Payment modules etc,..

It still thinks it belongs to ME and is also referring to the original Domain and server name etc.
The details are Not in the DB and Must be stored in a 'config' file somewhere.

I AM in communication with the Programme Support humans,.. but they are French .... and I don't know what it is,... but I had some serious issues a few years back, with another French software company that simply decided to drop all support for their programme, a few months after releasing a serious upgrade .... but didn't bother to tell anyone,... lol

My current concern, with these new people started when, they informed me they had sorted my problem and asked how well they did and was I satisfied etc !!?? WTF ??? we had not had any communication, since my initial support request !!

Since re-establishing my Need to sort these issues out, they have repeatedly asked for the same information 4 times !! ... like I have not supplied it ??

Hopefully they will get back to me after their weekend ends 
So frustrating and quite obviously, a simple Configuration / Data problem.

Perhaps it would be better if I spoke fluent French,.. LOL   

[zedd151]

What I'm looking for Won't be stored in the Windows Registry, as the program, is installed on a dedicated Linux VPS   

Maybe be better to use a  linux based program then?

I DO have all the files & Folders stored locally, so Can use Windows progs' to search with.

You can try it, it couldnt hurt. But will obviously only be fruitful if you do indeed have the file where the info is stored, and it is not encrypted, which is possible, due to it being 'sensitive' data. Only way to find out is to try...

... ...
Perhaps it would be better if I spoke fluent French,.. LOL   

     

[stoo23]

Well, it is Our server, set up specifically for this and the files I have are a complete Backup 

Hmmm, well the information I was looking for Was found .... but is sadly 'scattered' across oh so many files,.. sigh ... :(

Will have to wait and see what the French Support humans offer as a solution :(

[NoCforMe]

So what did you use to find all those scattered files?

[stoo23]

GrepWin, eventually .... I tried DnGrep but for some reason it didn't like my Win7 Pro machine and it returned an Error dialogue stating it had not installed correctly ??

[zedd151]

GrepWin, eventually .... I tried DnGrep but for some reason it didn't like my Win7 Pro machine and it returned an Error dialogue stating it had not installed correctly ??

Try the portable version. Seems to work here on Windows 7 64 bit.

https://github.com/stefankueng/grepWin/releases/download/2.1.7/grepWin-x64-2.1.7_portable.zip


edit: I also tested the 64 bit msi installer, which also works for me.
Do you have an antivirus software installed, possibly interefering with installation?

[stoo23]

NO GrepWin worked fine, the version you just provided the link for, was what I used.

DnGrep was a problem.

[zedd151]

DnGrep was a problem.

Oh, ok. I misunderstood. 
So, you are all sorted? Did you fix your issue?

[NoCforMe]

GrepWin, eventually .... I tried DnGrep but for some reason it didn't like my Win7 Pro machine and it returned an Error dialogue stating it had not installed correctly ??

I downloaded it and got it to run, but not without some problems. It installed OK, then came to a dialog with a "Launch DnGrep" checkbox that was checked. When I clicked OK, it then went back to the installation wizard for some reason; when I cancelled that I was left with an error dialog on the desktop. However, the program did run.

I don't think this product is ready for prime time yet. Plus it didn't offer to create any shortcuts, so now I have to search through my Program Files (or Program Files (x86) ) folders to find the damn thing in order to use it. I hate that. Hey, guys, this is 2024, not 1995!

Oh, and to see what errors occurred they want me to look at fucking XML file?!?!?!? Fuggedaboutit ...

[Biterider]

Hi Stoo23
Just one thing, make sure you are using GrepWin version 2.1.7 or higher. 
Earlier versions had problems while replacing.

Biterider