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File Organizer Scripts

Two JScript tools to automatically organize files into date-based folders (YYYY-MM-DD format).

Scripts Overview

Script Files Processed Date Source Speed
groupFilesByDate.js All files (except .js) Last Modified Date Fast: 7ms/file
groupJpgByExif.js JPG/JPEG only EXIF Shooting Date Slower: 70ms/file

Features

  • Creates folders named by date (e.g., 2025-11-09)
  • Automatically moves files into corresponding date folders
  • Reports number of folders created and files moved
  • Prevents duplicate file overwrites

Requirements

  • Operating System: Windows (tested on Windows 10 & 11)
  • Runtime: Windows Script Host (WScript)
  • No installation required - uses built-in Windows components 😎

Usage

Both scripts follow the same usage pattern:

  1. Place the script in the target folder

  2. Run the script

    • Double-click the .js file

  3. Confirm the operation

    • A dialog will show the number of files to be processed

  4. Wait for processing

    • Files will be moved into date-named folders progressively
    • groupJpgByExif.js will display a PowerShell window during processing

  5. Check the results

    • A summary message shows folders created, files moved, and files skipped

Example

Before:

📁 My Photos
  🖼️ photo1.jpg (modified: 2025-01-11)
  🖼️ photo2.jpg (modified: 2025-01-11)
  🖼️ photo3.jpg (modified: 2025-01-14)
  📄 document.pdf (modified: 2025-02-20)
  📜 groupFilesByDate.js
  📜 groupJpgByExif.js

After (using groupFilesByDate.js):

📁 My Photos
  📁 2025-01-11
    🖼️ photo1.jpg
    🖼️ photo2.jpg
  📁 2025-01-14
    🖼️ photo3.jpg
  📁 2025-02-20
    📄 document.pdf
  📜 groupFilesByDate.js
  📜 groupJpgByExif.js

After (using groupJpgByExif.js):

📁 My Photos
  📁 2025-01-11
    🖼️ photo1.jpg
    🖼️ photo2.jpg
  📁 2025-01-14
    🖼️ photo3.jpg
  📄 document.pdf (not moved)
  📜 groupFilesByDate.js
  📜 groupJpgByExif.js

Notes

groupFilesByDate.js

  • Processes all file types except .js files
  • Uses DateLastModified property (not created date or EXIF)

groupJpgByExif.js

  • Processes JPG/JPEG files only
  • Uses EXIF DateTimeOriginal (shooting date from camera)
  • Slower - requires PowerShell to extract EXIF data
  • Photos without EXIF data are skipped (e.g., screenshoot, internet image)

Development Notes

Why JScript + PowerShell?

  • Goal: Keep scripts small, portable, and easy to modify.
  • Why not ExifTool? Requires external installation. PowerShell's System.Drawing is built into Windows.
  • Why not pure PowerShell (.ps1)? Cannot be double-clicked to run. Requires command line knowledge.
  • Solution: JScript wrapper provides GUI dialogs and can call PowerShell internally. Best balance of functionality and user experience.

Performance Comparison

Script Averge ms per file
groupFilesByDate.js 7 ms
groupJpgByExif.js 70 ms

Thanks

Inspired by work from Yulin Huang, 2013

Version

  • groupFilesByDate.js: 2025-11-09.001
  • groupJpgByExif.js: 2025-11-09.004