Duplicate files in User\Documents &User\My Documents-which to remove?

[mizmdk]

Duplicate files in User\Documents &User\My Documents-which to remove?

I am trying to clear out duplicate files in Windows 7. A scan by Duplicate Cleaner Free 3.2.1 shows copies in multiple locations, including User\Documents and User\My Documents. Since these are both showing up in this scan I presume they are actually two files, not one real file and one link - is this correct? If there aren't actually two separate files, I don't want to remove the real file. If they are actually two separate files, I would like to remove one of them, and want to know which one.

I may have confused things by restoring files from a backup program (not Windows Backup) to My Documents, being confused about the difference between User\Documents and User\My Documents, in addition to the Windows 7 "Library" called "Documents", which by the way points to "My Documents". Not to mention "Favorites". I removed the documents link from here as it is confusing enough without it - I think that was "Documents".

From other threads, I understand that My Documents is not an actual folder but a kind of library which points to the "Documents" folder. If this is the case, why does the scan show two documents? How can I be sure what's real and what isn't?

Thanks.

 

[whs]

I have seen many people to brick their system because they removed duplicate files. If you don't know exactly what they are, don't touch them.

And if you want to engage in the adventure, make an image of the C partition first so that you can always backpaddle.

 

[mizmdk]

I have seen many people to brick their system because they removed duplicate files. If you don't know exactly what they are, don't touch them.

And if you want to engage in the adventure, make an image of the C partition first so that you can always backpaddle.

I know what the files are. They are documents that I created, not system files. I really don't need 5 or 6 copies of them.

 

[whs]

Are you sure they are all files and not shortcuts or junctions.