Windows File Search For Credentials and Sensitive Data

These Commands help search for sensitive information such as passwords and credentials within files on a windows system. the goal is to locate hardcoded passwords, API keys, and other sensitive data that might be stored in configuration files or plaintext files.

1. Search for Passwords in Files.

Use findstr to search for the keyword password in common configuration files.

• Search within .xml, .ini, .txt files:

• Always use in specific location

findstr /SI /M "password" *.xml *.ini *.txt *.config

/SI - Searches for the string in subdirectories./M - Displays only the file names that matches the search pattern.

Search for password in all files (case-insiensitive)

findstr /spin "password" *.*

/S - Searches in subdirectories/P - skips files with non-printable characters.I - Case insensitive searchN - Displays line numbers in the output

2. Search for specific File Names

Use dir to find files with specific names or patterns related to credentials.

Search for files containing pass, cred, vnc or .config

dir /S /B *pass*.txt *pass*.xml *pass*.ini *cred* *vnc* *.config*

/S - Searches in subdirectories/B - output file path without additional details.

3. Locate Speicific diles using where

where /R C:\user.txt

where /R C:\*.ini

4. Powershell command for advance search

Get-ChildIten -Recurse -Include *.xml, *.ini, *.txt | Select-String -Pattern "password'