Searching files in PowerShell (Windows) or Terminal (macOS/Linux) uses command-line utilities. In PowerShell, Get-ChildItem lists directory contents. Combine it with Where-Object to filter based on criteria like name (-Filter, -Include/-Exclude) or content (Select-String). In Terminal, find locates files by name, type, or modification time, while grep searches within file contents, often combined with find or used alone via piping (|). These differ from GUI searches by offering powerful pattern matching and automation.

Common examples include finding log files: Get-ChildItem -Path C:\Logs -Filter *.log -Recurse in PowerShell, or find /var/log -name "*.log" in Terminal. Searching file contents for errors is done via Select-String -Path C:\Logs\*.log -Pattern "ERROR" or grep -r "ERROR" /var/log. System administrators and developers frequently use these methods for auditing logs, locating configuration files, or processing large datasets.

Command-line searches offer speed, scripting integration, and handling large volumes efficiently. However, syntax complexity presents a learning curve; incorrect wildcards or recursion flags can miss results. Users must understand directory permissions, as searches require appropriate access. While requiring precise syntax, this approach remains fundamental for automation and advanced file management tasks, fostering deep system control.