Duplicate file tool
 

Hello Ppruners...

Can anyone recommend a reliable duplicate file finder? I have loads of pictures on my PC, and must have a lot of duplicates after years and years of organising and re-organising. I'm in a tidy-up mood, so any (free) tools you could suggest would be appreciated!

Duplicate file tool
 

Personally very happy with www.hugmot.is/acutefinder/

No free though...

Have a look here:

Best Free Duplicate File Remover | Gizmo's Freeware

I have used the Auslogics tool in the past

I use Easy Duplicate Finder - it costs but it's very quick and very powerful

run it about once a month to clear up disk space

You can also use the free ccleaner app from piriform. If you click on the tools, duplicate finder options and then set the folders to check
https://www.piriform.com/ccleaner

The main difference between paid and free duplicate file finders is that the free programs simply look for identical file names. Some of the paid programs actually check each file's contents to see whether there is a match with another file. Useful if you have the same photo stored under several different names.

There is a slight danger when casually deleting duplicate files that you can accidently delete files which are duplicates but need to be in two separate directories on the computer because a couple of programs need them to be in specific directories for that program to work. This probably only applies to older programs, but something to be aware of before emptying the recycle bin.

I know that the PPRuNe search engine isn't great, but you may be able to find some threads on this topic over the last couple of years that may be of use - search for "duplicate" in the entire message, just in the C&I forum and you should find some useful material.

SD

Thanks for the advice folks...

I tried the imaginatively named "Duplicate File Finder" and it did exactly what it said on the tin! And it turns out my filing system must be ok, as I don't have that many duplicates anyway :ok:

Cheers again...

There are some threads on here that I wish I never read..............

Like the OP, I have organised, and re-organised my photos over a number of years.

I think they are now more or less under control.........

But, using just ccleaner, the number of duplicates is scary. Luckily, I have a very big hard drive. So it is and remains a manana or avrio job to sort them out.

(Avrio means manana but without the sense of urgency)