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Asked: 2024-09-24T17:52:11+05:30 In:

What methods can I use to locate all video files stored on my computer running Ubuntu?

I’ve been trying to tidy up my computer running Ubuntu, and I realized I have a ton of video files scattered all over the place. It’s such a mess! Sometimes I just want to watch a movie or show, but I spend ages searching for that one file hidden somewhere in the depths of my folders. I know there must be an easier way to find all these video files without manually going through every single folder.

I heard about some methods, but honestly, I’m not sure where to start. I know there’s the terminal, and I’ve seen some commands like `find` or `locate`, but I’m still a bit lost on how to put it all together. Should I be using any specific parameters to filter out just the video files? I mean, it would be super helpful if I could just pull up, say, all MKV, MP4, and AVI files in one go.

Also, I’ve come across some graphical tools that supposedly can help with file management—like GNOME Search Tool or Catfish. Do they actually make the process easier? Are they user-friendly for someone who might not be super tech-savvy? I don’t want to spend hours downloading and configuring stuff just to save myself some time searching.

And what about hidden files? Do these methods recognize video files that might be hidden away in obscure locations? I feel like I might be overlooking a lot of possible files because I don’t know where to look.

If you’ve dealt with this before or have some tips and tricks up your sleeve, I’d love to hear them! Maybe there’s a secret method that I haven’t tried yet. It’d be wonderful to streamline my video collection process and finally binge-watch in peace without going down the rabbit hole of searching! Any advice, ideas, or tools you can share would be a real lifesaver. Thanks!

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    2 Answers


    1. To efficiently find and organize your scattered video files on Ubuntu, you can utilize both terminal commands and graphical tools. Using the terminal, the `find` command is particularly useful, allowing you to search for files based on their extensions. For example, you could run the command find ~ -type f \( -iname "*.mp4" -o -iname "*.mkv" -o -iname "*.avi" \). This will search your entire home directory (~) for files with the specified video formats, making it easier to gather all your media in one place. You may also consider using locate, which can quickly find files using an updated database. Ensure you update the database first with sudo updatedb and then run locate like so: locate *.mp4 *.mkv *.avi. Be aware that the default use of these commands may not include hidden files (those starting with a dot); to include those, you can modify the search criteria accordingly.

      If you prefer a more user-friendly approach, graphical tools like GNOME Search Tool and Catfish are great alternatives. These applications allow you to search for files with specific extensions via a graphical interface, making it easier for those less comfortable with command-line tools. They typically provide options to include hidden files in your search, enhancing your chances of finding your lost video clips. Just install them via your package manager (sudo apt install gnome-search-tool or sudo apt install catfish) and start searching through your collection. Both tools are designed to be intuitive, requiring minimal configuration time, allowing you to get back to binge-watching your favorite shows without the hassle of endless searching. By consolidating your video files into a dedicated directory after identifying them, you’ll streamline your media access significantly.




    2. Finding Video Files in Ubuntu

      How to Find Your Video Files on Ubuntu

      Dealing with a cluttered computer can be super annoying, especially when you’re just trying to chill and watch your favorite shows or movies. No one wants to spend ages hunting for that one video file hidden deep inside a folder! Luckily, there are some pretty easy approaches you can take to locate those MKV, MP4, and AVI files.

      Using the Terminal

      If you’re comfortable using the terminal (or want to give it a shot), the find command is your new best friend. You can run it to search for video files across your directories like this:

      find ~/ -type f \( -iname "*.mp4" -o -iname "*.mkv" -o -iname "*.avi" \)

      Here’s how it works:

      • ~/ specifies that you want to search in your home directory.
      • -type f means you’re only looking for files, not directories.
      • -iname allows you to search for files with specific extensions in a case-insensitive way.

      Give it a try! It’ll list out all those video files for you!

      Using locate Command

      You can also try the locate command, which is super speedy but needs an updated database. Run:

      sudo updatedb

      After that, you can search for your video files like this:

      locate *.mp4 *.mkv *.avi

      This one is great because it’s fast, but remember that it might miss some files if they were added recently since the last database update.

      Graphical Tools

      If the terminal isn’t your thing, don’t worry! Tools like GNOME Search Tool or Catfish can make searching for files much easier with a friendly GUI. You can usually just type in your search terms, and it will show you matching results. They’re pretty user-friendly, so you shouldn’t feel overwhelmed. Plus, you don’t need to spend a lot of time setting them up!

      Hidden Files

      As for hidden files, both the terminal commands and graphical tools should be able to find them. Hidden files typically have a dot in front of their names (like .myvideo.mp4). You can make sure those are included when searching by using the find command as mentioned or tweaking the search settings in graphical tools.

      Wrap Up

      So, to sum it all up, if you want a quick fix in the terminal, give the find command a shot. If you’d prefer something a bit more visual, definitely check out GNOME Search Tool or Catfish. With these tools at your disposal, you should be able to whip your video collection into shape in no time! Good luck, and happy watching!


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