Solved Looking for a file duplicate finder

[386DX]

Hi all. I need to scan about 1.5TB. Are there any free solutions? I can't bring myself to spend $40. Thanks.

 

[file3456]

I've used Duplicate Finder in the past, but it's been years. Check out a list here: 10+ Tools for Finding and Deleting Duplicate Files on Windows - TechSpot

 

[Snick]

Hi 386DX,

Gizmo's freeware has been around forever pretty reliable reviews. Best part FREE. I like free.
Peruse the info and choose.

Best Free Duplicate File Remover | Gizmo's Freeware
8 Free Duplicate Files Cleaner / Finder For Windows And ...
10+ Tools for Finding and Deleting Duplicate Files on ...
Top 5 Best Free Duplicate File Finder and Remover

Bill

 

[386DX]

Excellent, thanks.

 

[386DX]

Excellent again, thank you.

 

[Snick]

386DX, you are welcome!

 

[RolandJS]

Be careful about "duplicate" DLLs and other similar system, program, utility, etc geek files. Many so-called duplicates exist and where they exist for good reasons. Many software calls to respective specific directories are made. Many DLLs with exact names have both similar and different content, often seen by their respective different byte-sizes. Even exact same DLLs in different directories are called upon by their "parents" and their "children" better be present or else.

Have restorable full image backups (yes plural) at the ready. One of the fastest ways to bring down Windows and/or 3rd party stuff is to get the Death Plaque of the Missing DLL, the one that cannot be fixed...except by re-install or by full image restore.

 

[Barman58]

I would probably go further than Rolands advice above ... Never even think of using a duplicate finder in the system folders of a Windows, (or any other), operating System. You can, if you have the technical knowhow, remove or change system files to solve a specific issue. This is fine as long as you have the system backed up - for recovery when, not If it goes wrong, as over time it will, this is what they call "experience"

 

[chuckhig]

Good information. Thank you.

 

[Snick]

RolandJS
&
Barman58
Agree!

 

[386DX]

Hi Bill;

I've been playing with a couple of these duplicate file checkers/deleters. If I understand this right, they'll find duplicates in the same folder. Over the years of saving files, I've put duplicates in many different folders, some within the RootFolder, some in subfolders of the RootFolder, and others in unrelated folders.

I understand that if a dupe check program checks a parent folder, duplicates in different folders won't show as duplicates. Do you know of a program where I can check for dupes across folders?

TreeComp is very good, but I'm not yet getting the logic of the left and right panels, and how to move or copy a file to non-identical locations in different trees.

Cumbersome description. Thanks.

 

[dg1261]

TreeComp is meant for comparing folder contents, but isn't good for finding duplicate files. It compares file names, sizes and dates, but doesn't actually compare the byte contents unless you change the default settings. Even then, it only flags duplicates in parallel directory structures.

For finding duplicates, I like Easy Duplicate Finder. Select multiple folders in the top box for it to search. It compares the byte contents, and will even find duplicates that have different filenames or filedates -- great for finding photos you forgot you copied and renamed.

There are several other utilities that are equally capable, including NirSoft's Search-My-Files and Duplicate Files Finder, with the user interface being the main differences.

 

[Snick]

Hi Bill;

I've been playing with a couple of these duplicate file checkers/deleters. If I understand this right, they'll find duplicates in the same folder. Over the years of saving files, I've put duplicates in many different folders, some within the RootFolder, some in subfolders of the RootFolder, and others in unrelated folders.

I understand that if a dupe check program checks a parent folder, duplicates in different folders won't show as duplicates. Do you know of a program where I can check for dupes across folders?

TreeComp is very good, but I'm not yet getting the logic of the left and right panels, and how to move or copy a file to non-identical locations in different trees.

Cumbersome description. Thanks.

Sorry, I haven't run any on my system, for the reasons of the others, I don't use them. Most apps I've heard of, know someone who uses it, or demoed or use it myself. lots of demos. I install through revo uninstaller.

There are folders that windows creates that appear to be empty but in actuality they are used, I would have to go through my computer, look at the name of the folder or file, creation date, modification date and decide.

R U going to Win 10? I believe it is still free upgrade.

 

[386DX]

Yes, I'm backing up settings like FF and its extensions, registry (don't know if I'll need them or will Win 10 overwrite them), router... I'll be reading the various tutorials soon.


Since I'm not versed in dupe programs, I'm afraid of losing irreplaceable files, so I've been using Duplicate Files Finder, seeing the dupes, opening each one to confirm they are dupes of the same file, then manually deleting the dupes. It's taking forever, but I don't know of a way to do it more quickly without making a mistake.