PowerShell script to count words, lines, and characters in multiple PDFs

Laxman Singh has posted a PowerShell script here which will count the number of lines, words, and characters in multiple PDF files.

1. Open PowerShell ISE and use the cd change directory command to select the folder containing the PDFs you want to review.

2. Enter the below script, and then simply press return.

dir -Include *.* -Recurse | % { $_ | select name, @{n="characters";e={ get-content $_ | measure-object -character | select -expa characters } } , @{n="words";e={ get-content $_ | measure-object -word | select -expa words } } , @{n="lines";e={ get-content $_ | measure-object -line | select -expa lines } } } | ft -AutoSize

3. A table will be generated listing the total character, word and line count for each PDF file.

This script is a great way to detect near duplicate PDF files.

Powershell script to find unique values in two sets

You can use a simple PowerShell script to find which values in two sets are unique to each set.

Define each set of comma separated values: $set1 = "chicago","boston","baltimore"

$set2 = "detroit","boston","philadelphia"

Then use the Compare-Object command to analyze the sets:

Compare-Object $set1 $set2

PowerShell will generate a list showing just those values that are not in both sets.

Get List of Restore Points

Each week, Windows creates restore points, which are copies of program and system files. Restore points will also be created when new applications or device drivers are installed.

You can use a PowerShell command to generate a list of the restore points that exist on a computer. The command:

Get-ComputerRestorePoint

. . . will generate a list of the restore points and quickly give you information on when key events have taken place.