Use an existing instance of IE unless it contains a specified string - powershell

Question

I am using this code to determine whether to use an existing or new instance of IE:
$newInstance = $false
if (Get-Process iexplore -ea silentlycontinue | Where-Object {$_.MainWindowTitle -ne ""}) {
$ie = (New-Object -COM "Shell.Application").Windows() | ? { $_.Name -eq "Internet Explorer" } | Select-Object -First 1
$newInstance = $false
} else {
$ie = New-Object -COM "InternetExplorer.Application"
$newInstance = $true
}
# Elsewhere, I open an array of sites depending on what tabs are already open
foreach ($tab in (New-Object -COM "Shell.Application").Windows() | ? { $_.Name -eq "Internet Explorer" }) {
if ($tab.LocationURL.Contains("~"))
{ $search = $true; break }
}
If a tab is open that has specified text in its title, how can I ignore that instance of IE, and use a second instance to open an array of sites in? I have tried this:
$ie = (New-Object -COM "Shell.Application").Windows() | ? { $_.Name -eq "Internet Explorer" -and $_.LocationName -like ""}
if ($null -ne $ie) {
$ie = (New-Object -COM "Shell.Application").Windows() | ? { $_.Name -eq "Internet Explorer" } | Select-Object -First 1
$newInstance = $false
} else {
$ie = New-Object -COM "InternetExplorer.Application"
$newInstance = $true
}

Answer 1

Not sure if this is what you're looking for?
$searchString = "something"
$ie = (New-Object -COM 'Shell.Application').Windows() | where {$_.Name -eq 'Internet Explorer' -and $_.LocationName -like "*$searchString*"}
if ($null -ne $ie) {
# existing instance found
$newInstance = $false
}
else {
# create new instance
$ie = New-Object -COM 'InternetExplorer.Application'
$newInstance = $true
}

Answer 2

I have got it working; improvements appreciated.
$newInstance = $false
if (Get-Process iexplore -ea silentlycontinue | Where-Object {$_.MainWindowTitle -ne ""}) {
if ((New-Object -COM "Shell.Application").Windows() | ? { $_.Name -eq "Internet Explorer" -and $_.LocationName -notlike "**" }) {
$ie = (New-Object -COM "Shell.Application").Windows() | ? { $_.Name -eq "Internet Explorer" } | Select-Object -First 1
$newInstance = $false
} else {
$ie = New-Object -COM "InternetExplorer.Application"
$newInstance = $true
}
} else {
$ie = New-Object -COM "InternetExplorer.Application"
$newInstance = $true
}