Lookup machine name, and open corresponding folder

zackbrandow · 2021-04-26T15:33:04.000Z

Hey guys! Hoping someone can help me get a script going.

I have one folder for each of the computers on our network stored in a network share. Each folder is named with the name of a PC on the network. I would like to run a Powershell script once a month on each of these PC’s that looks up its own machine name locally, and then opens the corresponding shared folder with that same name on the network. I then need it to then copy the files in that folder to the local PC.

Can someone help me get this started? I am fairly new to Powershell

looks up the machine name of the computer running the script.
based on the machine name opens a corresponding folder on the network with the same name
copies all files in the corresponding folder to the local PC

spiceuser-6z9t6 · 2021-04-26T15:44:33.000Z

echo %computername%
xcopy \\servername\%computername%\ c:\filelocation\ /s /e
exit

Run this on the local computer.

spiceuser-6z9t6 · 2021-04-26T15:45:10.000Z

Oops that was a batch file.

Neally · 2021-04-26T15:50:19.000Z

Zack6729:

We’re happy to HELP but not a script writing service.what have you tried where are you stuck?
If you post code, please use the ‘Insert Code’ button. Please and thank you!

PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING! Read if you're new to the PowerShell forum! Programming & Development

Hi, and welcome to the PowerShell forum! Don’t apologize for being a “noob” or “newbie” or “n00b.” There’s just no need – nobody will think you’re stupid, and the forums are all about asking questions. Just ask! Use a descriptive subject. Don’t say “Need help” or “PowerShell Help”, actually summarize what the problem is. It helps the rest of us keep track of which problem is which. Don’t post massive scripts. We’re all volunteers and we don’t have time to read all that, nor will we copy…

Neally · 2021-04-26T15:52:25.000Z

Zack6729:

Can someone help me get this started? I am fairly new to Powershell

looks up the machine name of the computer running the script.

based on the machine name opens a corresponding folder on the network with the same name

copies all files in the corresponding folder to the local PC

$env:computername

$computername = $env:computername
$shareinfo = "\\server\share\$computername"

$files = Get-childitem $someFolder
foreach($item in $files){
    copy-item $item.fullname -destination $shareinfo
}

zackbrandow · 2021-04-27T13:50:55.000Z

Thanks for the help with this! Its very close to what I needed. I made a few changes but getting some error regarding the copy. Want it to copy from the $shareinfo path that includes $computername to a local directory C:\TEST. What I have below copies the folder with the machine name, but the destination ends up empty “C:\TEST”. Also looks like there are a few errors.

$env:computername
$computername = $env:computername
$shareinfo = "\\192.168.0.22\Shared\Test\$computername"
$files = Get-childitem $someFolder
foreach($item in $files){
    copy-item $shareinfo -destination "C:\TEST"
}

The error I get is this one (See below) which I am confused about. Error is because that the folder “COMPUTERNAME” exists for some reason. But it does not exist when the script starts. Not sure why its upset. Goal is to just create it once and then copy everything from $shareinfo path to C:\TEST overwriting all files.

*ERROR:

copy-item : An item with the specified name C:\Bogus\TEST\COMPUTERNAME already exists.

At line:6 char:5

copy-item $shareinfo -destination “C:\TEST”
CategoryInfo : ResourceExists: (C:\Bogus\TEST\COMPUTERNAME:String) [Copy-Item], IOException
FullyQualifiedErrorId : DirectoryExist,Microsoft.PowerShell.Commands.CopyItemCommand

Neally · 2021-04-27T14:06:53.000Z

if the folder does not exists, it can not read it and not copy it.

copy-item says the file already exists, if you want to overwrite it you can use the ‘-force’ parameter

copy-item $shareinfo -destination "C:\TEST" -Force

zackbrandow · 2021-04-27T16:45:28.000Z

Thanks I should have figured that would be needed. I also added -Recurse at the end. All files are copying now based on machine and folder name! Ill be able to use this script for a few different things. I appreciate the help!

$env:computername
$computername = $env:computername
$shareinfo = "\\192.168.0.22\Shared\Test\$computername"
$files = Get-childitem $someFolder
foreach($item in $files){
    copy-item $shareinfo -destination "C:\TEST" - Force -Recurse
}