Finding Duplicate Files

You can use the Duplicate Finder to find duplicate files across a variety of folders on your hard drive. Once duplicates are found, you can perform rename and delete functions to better manage your file collection.

Note that identical images saved as different formats (i.e. different extensions, such as JPEG, BMP, GIF), are not recognized as duplicates. If you have a JPEG and save a copy of it, the image is recompressed. Therefore the original JPEG and the copy are a different file internally and they are not recognized as duplicates.

To Find Duplicate Files:

  1. In Manage mode, select a folder or images to search for duplicates. (Optional)
  2. Click Tools | Find Duplicates...
  3. In the Duplicate Finder dialog box, do one of the following:
    • To find duplicates within the selected folder and any added files or folders, select Find duplicates within this single list of files.
    • To find duplicates by comparing the contents of two separate lists, select Find duplicates within these two lists of files. (This will not search for duplicates within one of the two lists. It will only search the two lists against one another.)
  4. Add files to your list or lists with the Add Files... and Add Folder... buttons. Remove files by selecting them in the list and pressing the Remove button. Switch out one file or folder for another by selecting it in the list and pressing the Modify button. To include the contents of any subfolders you selected, check the Include subfolders checkbox.
  5. Below the File Lists, specify whether you want to find exact duplicates or just files with the same name. Select Find images only if you only want to search for image files.
  6. Press Search.
  7. If no duplicates are found, click OK and refine your search or click Cancel to exit the Duplicate Finder.
  8. If duplicates are found, select sets in the list for further actions.

Deleting and Renaming Files

Once duplicates have been found, files can be renamed or deleted. If you are working with image files, a preview is available.

If multiple sets of duplicates have been found, you may want to sort them for easier viewing.

To Sort Files:

  1. Right-click in the upper-left list.
  2. Select one of the following:
    • Sort by Filename
    • Sort by Path
    • Sort by File Size
    • Sort by File Type
    • Sort by Number of Duplicates

To Delete Duplicates:

  1. Select the desired file set in the upper-left list.
  2. In the bottom field, do one of the following:
    • Check the checkbox next to the file name. The file name changes to Delete File.
    • Right-click on the file name and select Delete from the context menu. The file name changes to Delete File.
  3. If you searched using two file lists, you can choose Delete from File List 1/File List 2. This will save you time by selecting all files from File List 1 or File List 2, as specified.
  4. Click Next to review your changes, and then click Finish.

To Rename a File:

  1. Select the desired file set in the upper-left list.
  2. In the bottom field, right-click on the file name and select Rename from the context menu.
  3. Type a new name for the file.
  4. Click Next to review your changes, and then click Finish.

See also: