Pick random file from a folder

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MigrationUser
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Pick random file from a folder

Post by MigrationUser »

17 Feb 2007 06:10
NDog
I have a startup batch file. I want it to be able to scan a folder (c:\bmp) and choose a random .bmp file in that folder then set it as the wallpaper in windows
(or at least set it as %userprofile%\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Internet Explorer Wallpaper.bmp).

I don't know any commands that will pick random vaues so I need help doing this.

Thanks. 8-)

cmd, vbs, ps, bash
autoit, python, swift

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#2 17 Feb 2007 11:15
bluesxman

I don't know of a way to set an image as wallpaper solely using a batch script (though I did once find a utility that would do it many moons ago), but I do know how to do the rest:

Code: Select all

@echo off

setlocal enabledelayedexpansion

set folder=c:\bmp
set target=%userprofile%\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Internet Explorer Wallpaper.bmp

set count=0
set x=0

REM put all the files into a pseudo-array prefixed with "PIC_"
for /r "%folder%" %%a in (*.bmp) do (
    set PIC_!count!=%%~a
    set /a count+=1
)

REM Use the 'modulo' function to get a usable value from system variable %random%
set /a x="%random% %% count"

REM Pull the relevant item out of the "PIC_" 'array'
set chosen=!PIC_%x%!

echo:I chose :: %chosen%
copy /y "%chosen%" "%target%" 1>nul

pause & REM remove this whole line if you don't want the window to stay open at the end
Tested and it seems to work fine.

~bxm

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#3 18 Feb 2007 10:50
NDog

This is a great script. I never knew what a pseudo-array was, but now I shall be using those. I see the logic of how your code works by counting the total value of bmp files then using the variable %random% to get a random number then use the corresponding number. Quite a way of thinking, more complicated than I thought. Thanks again!

To set the wallpaper - for those who might be interested!!!:rolleyes: Only if you use irfanview!

i_view32.exe "%chosen%" /wall=0 /killmesoftly
Open "%chosen%" and set is as wallpaper (centered).
i_view32.exe "%chosen%" /wall=1 /killmesoftly
Open "%chosen%" and set is as wallpaper (tiled).
i_view32.exe "%chosen%" /wall=2 /killmesoftly
Open "%chosen%" and set is as wallpaper (stretched).

and sorry if this is a bit off topic as this is a .vbs script I found which can do the same thing just now.

WallpaperFolder = "C:\bmp"
set objShell = CreateObject("Shell.Application")
set objFolder = objShell.Namespace(WallpaperFolder)
set files = objFolder.Items
randomize
command = """%ProgramFiles%\IrfanView\i_view32.exe"" """ & files.Item(cint((files.Count - 1) * Rnd)).Path & """ /wall=2 /killmesoftly"
set WshShell = CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
WshShell.Run command, 0, true

Last edited by NDog (18 Feb 2007 11:18)

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#4 03 Dec 2013 21:35
tazosmr

(answer, found at stackoverflow.com/a/20361034/2165415)
here is a CMD code, which outputs the random file name (customize it to your needs):

Code: Select all

    @echo off & setlocal
    set "workDir=C:\source\folder"

    rem Read the %random%, two times is'nt a mistake! Why? Ask Bill.
    rem In fact at the first time %random% is nearly the same.
    @set /a "rdm=%random%"
    set /a "rdm=%random%"
    rem Push to your path.
    pushd "%workDir%"
    rem Count all files in your path. (dir with /b shows only the filenames)
    set /a "counter=0"
    for /f "delims=" %%i in ('dir /b ^|find "."') do call :sub1
    rem This function gives a value from 1 to upper bound of files
    set /a "rdNum=(%rdm%*%counter%/32767)+1"
    rem Start a random file
    set /a "counter=0"
    for /f "delims=" %%i in ('dir /b ^|find "."') do set "fileName=%%i" &call :sub2
    rem Pop back from your path.
    popd "%workDir%"
    goto :eof
    :: end of main
    :: start of sub1
    :sub1
    rem For each found file set counter + 1.
    set /a "counter+=1"
    goto :eof
    :: end of sub1
    :: start of sub2
    :sub2
    rem 1st: count again,
    rem 2nd: if counted number equals random number then start the file.
    set /a "counter+=1"
    if %counter%==%rdNum% (
    :: OUTPUT ALERT BOX with FILENAME
    MSG * "%fileName%"
    )
    goto :eof
    :: end of sub2
    :: -snap--- end of batch
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#5 06 Dec 2013 15:24
bluesxman

Only 7 years late to the party ;-)

cmd | *sh | ruby | chef

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#6 12 Jun 2021 19:03
TecBrat

@bluesxman It's been 13 years and your answer is still helping people!

Used this for a twitch streamer who wants to pop a random image on the screen with a voice command.

Thanks.

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#7 14 Jun 2021 11:03
bluesxman

I probably should have had a caveat that it might take a long time if there is a large volume of files and that RANDOM has an upper bound of 32768 (if memory serves me correctly) so this would be a hard limit on the files it will consider. But as per previous caveat, it would take a while to load them all anyway.

Good to know something I did 13 years ago is still in use :)
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