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#1
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does anyone know of an easy way to delete duplicate files
i have around 6000 duplicate files and i am going to give myself an aneurysm
if i have to delete 1 by 1 if anyone has a simple fast way i be most grateful |
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#2
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does anyone know of an easy way to delete duplicate files
If they are all lined up, highlight the first file, scroll to the last file,
hold down the shift key and left click which highlights all the files. Assuming you don't want the files in the recycle bin, continue holding down the shift key and delete. If they are not lined up, hold down the Ctrl key and left click individual files to highlight them and then delete. -- Regards Ron Badour MS MVP Windows Desktop Experience "Cliff" wrote in message ... i have around 6000 duplicate files and i am going to give myself an aneurysm if i have to delete 1 by 1 if anyone has a simple fast way i be most grateful |
#3
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does anyone know of an easy way to delete duplicate files
Cliff wrote:
i have around 6000 duplicate files and i am going to give myself an aneurysm if i have to delete 1 by 1 if anyone has a simple fast way i be most grateful If there was an automated way to do this, you would be relying on the quality of the automation. For example, say the program used, made a few mistakes while it was deleting. If you do find a tool, the first thing you'd want the tool to do, is tell you *what* it plans on deleting (before you run the command for real). On other OSes, any time automation is required, people use scripting as a means to that end. Scripting is still "computer programming", but at a higher level than using a programming language. If you wanted someone to write you a script, you'd have to define how the duplicates are oriented with respect to one another, whether they're in the same directory and so on. C:\downloads\first.txt C:\downloads\Copy of first.txt C:\downloads\second.txt C:\downloads\Copy of second.txt They might also be situated like this C:\downloads\first.txt C:\unrelated_directory\Copy of first.txt Duplicate files may have widely divergent names. For example C:\downloads\asdefgh.txt 961 bytes C:\downloads\quertyu.txt 961 bytes In a case like that, using checksum programs such as MD5SUM or one of the other equivalent tools, may help identify "identical" files. If the checksums and sizes of two files are the same, one might conclude they were "equal". Scripting does not have to be very clever. A basic capability would come from first, listing all the files in the file system with some tool (in Unix, you might use "ls -R" to recursively list the entire file system). Creating a huge file that looks like this. C:\downloads\first.txt C:\downloads\Copy of first.txt C:\downloads\second.txt C:\downloads\Copy of second.txt You could then edit that text file, leaving only the names of the files you want to delete. C:\downloads\Copy of first.txt C:\downloads\Copy of second.txt Next, you'd use a text editing tool of your choice, to do a global find and replace, replacing "C:" with "del C:". After doing that, the list would look like this. del C:\downloads\Copy of first.txt del C:\downloads\Copy of second.txt Now, you change the text file you just created, from "script.txt" to "script.bat". Now you have a batch file, that is going to delete two files. If there are any spelling mistakes in the file, the results could be disastrous. Computers leave no room for mistakes. If you then execute that batch file, the two files would be deleted. An immediate problem with this might be, that my two file paths above, have spaces in the file name, and that is going to cause a problem. When using automation, you want to carefully test your concepts, before going crazy with your design. For example, say I create a test directory called C:\test. I put "Copy of second.txt" in there. I open a command prompt and test a single line batch file, such as del Copy of second.txt and it fails to work. Chances are, the damage will be limited to my test directory. The error returned in the Command window is "Could Not Find C:\TEST\Copy", and my one line script is having problems with the blanks in the file name. I change my one line script, to look like this, and then it works right. By testing in a way that only involves one directory, I'm eliminating the bugs in my ideas one at a time, before unleashing my creation on the entire disk. del "Copy of second.txt" File systems and scripting environments have all sorts of rules, about little issues like that. So you don't become a scripting expert over night. But I have worked in environments, where many of my co-workers were doing stuff like that, without benefit of proper education on the subject, just picking up the skills as they go along. (Later, they might have the cheek to write on their resume, "I'm a PERL expert" :-) ) So, you may get lucky - there may be a program which does just exactly what you want, and never makes a mistake by deleting the wrong thing. But for those cases where a ready-made program is not available, people use scripts in one language or another, to take care of it. If you expected someone to write a script for you, the effort you'd put into describing the relationship of all the duplicates, might take you as long as just writing the script yourself. ******* If a common ingredient of all the things to be removed is "Copy of " then that might be an easy thing to search for and highlight in a search window. If you use the Windows Find thing, restrict it to one directory (like C:\downloads), set the search condition to "Copy of ", it might just give you a list in the results, which is perfect for deleting in one shot. Copy of first.txt Copy of second.txt You'd highlight all the items in the Find window, and delete them. Paul |
#4
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does anyone know of an easy way to delete duplicate files
There are some programs that will identify duplicates, although that is
often just a subset of all the other program's features. I'm not sure if CCleaner can do it, but there are some that can. Some of the so-called system cleanup programs have that feature. Paul wrote: Cliff wrote: i have around 6000 duplicate files and i am going to give myself an aneurysm if i have to delete 1 by 1 if anyone has a simple fast way i be most grateful If there was an automated way to do this, you would be relying on the quality of the automation. For example, say the program used, made a few mistakes while it was deleting. If you do find a tool, the first thing you'd want the tool to do, is tell you *what* it plans on deleting (before you run the command for real). On other OSes, any time automation is required, people use scripting as a means to that end. Scripting is still "computer programming", but at a higher level than using a programming language. If you wanted someone to write you a script, you'd have to define how the duplicates are oriented with respect to one another, whether they're in the same directory and so on. C:\downloads\first.txt C:\downloads\Copy of first.txt C:\downloads\second.txt C:\downloads\Copy of second.txt They might also be situated like this C:\downloads\first.txt C:\unrelated_directory\Copy of first.txt Duplicate files may have widely divergent names. For example C:\downloads\asdefgh.txt 961 bytes C:\downloads\quertyu.txt 961 bytes In a case like that, using checksum programs such as MD5SUM or one of the other equivalent tools, may help identify "identical" files. If the checksums and sizes of two files are the same, one might conclude they were "equal". Scripting does not have to be very clever. A basic capability would come from first, listing all the files in the file system with some tool (in Unix, you might use "ls -R" to recursively list the entire file system). Creating a huge file that looks like this. C:\downloads\first.txt C:\downloads\Copy of first.txt C:\downloads\second.txt C:\downloads\Copy of second.txt You could then edit that text file, leaving only the names of the files you want to delete. C:\downloads\Copy of first.txt C:\downloads\Copy of second.txt Next, you'd use a text editing tool of your choice, to do a global find and replace, replacing "C:" with "del C:". After doing that, the list would look like this. del C:\downloads\Copy of first.txt del C:\downloads\Copy of second.txt Now, you change the text file you just created, from "script.txt" to "script.bat". Now you have a batch file, that is going to delete two files. If there are any spelling mistakes in the file, the results could be disastrous. Computers leave no room for mistakes. If you then execute that batch file, the two files would be deleted. An immediate problem with this might be, that my two file paths above, have spaces in the file name, and that is going to cause a problem. When using automation, you want to carefully test your concepts, before going crazy with your design. For example, say I create a test directory called C:\test. I put "Copy of second.txt" in there. I open a command prompt and test a single line batch file, such as del Copy of second.txt and it fails to work. Chances are, the damage will be limited to my test directory. The error returned in the Command window is "Could Not Find C:\TEST\Copy", and my one line script is having problems with the blanks in the file name. I change my one line script, to look like this, and then it works right. By testing in a way that only involves one directory, I'm eliminating the bugs in my ideas one at a time, before unleashing my creation on the entire disk. del "Copy of second.txt" File systems and scripting environments have all sorts of rules, about little issues like that. So you don't become a scripting expert over night. But I have worked in environments, where many of my co-workers were doing stuff like that, without benefit of proper education on the subject, just picking up the skills as they go along. (Later, they might have the cheek to write on their resume, "I'm a PERL expert" :-) ) So, you may get lucky - there may be a program which does just exactly what you want, and never makes a mistake by deleting the wrong thing. But for those cases where a ready-made program is not available, people use scripts in one language or another, to take care of it. If you expected someone to write a script for you, the effort you'd put into describing the relationship of all the duplicates, might take you as long as just writing the script yourself. ******* If a common ingredient of all the things to be removed is "Copy of " then that might be an easy thing to search for and highlight in a search window. If you use the Windows Find thing, restrict it to one directory (like C:\downloads), set the search condition to "Copy of ", it might just give you a list in the results, which is perfect for deleting in one shot. Copy of first.txt Copy of second.txt You'd highlight all the items in the Find window, and delete them. Paul |
#5
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does anyone know of an easy way to delete duplicate files
On May 24, 6:39*am, Cliff wrote:
i have around 6000 duplicate files and i am going to give myself an aneurysm if i have to delete 1 by 1 if anyone has a simple fast way i be most grateful Duplicate File Remover. I have been using it for some time now..with no problems. It searches for EXACT dupe files ie: name, size, type etc... I have a lot of music both mp3 & wma duplicates. It has no problems differentiating between the .mp3 & .wma etc. |
#6
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does anyone know of an easy way to delete duplicate files
Hi Cliff,
There's a good -- and free -- duplicate file application called DupKiller. You can download it from Major Geeks at http://majorgeeks.com/DupKiller_d5424.html Alan "Cliff" wrote in message ... i have around 6000 duplicate files and i am going to give myself an aneurysm if i have to delete 1 by 1 if anyone has a simple fast way i be most grateful |
#7
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does anyone know of an easy way to delete duplicate files
On Sun, 24 May 2009 01:25:26 -0600, "Bill in Co."
wrote: There are some programs that will identify duplicates, although that is often just a subset of all the other program's features. I'm not sure if CCleaner can do it, but there are some that can. It can't. |
#8
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does anyone know of an easy way to delete duplicate files
Hi Cliff,
Follow 1-5: http://articles.techrepublic.com.com...1-6160661.html http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...DisplayLang=en -- All the Best, Kelly (MS-MVP/DTS&XP) Taskbar Repair Tool Plus! http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/taskbarplus!.htm "Cliff" wrote in message ... i have around 6000 duplicate files and i am going to give myself an aneurysm if i have to delete 1 by 1 if anyone has a simple fast way i be most grateful |
#9
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does anyone know of an easy way to delete duplicate files
I had a lot of duplicates of musical files on my PC. That's why I was recommended programme Clone Remover. I used to delete duplicate files 'duplicate music finder' (http://www.fileutilityblog.com/archives/228), which is called Clone Remover. What do you think about it? Thank you. -- Rose82 Posted via http://ms-os.com Forum to Usenet gateway |
#10
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does anyone know of an easy way to delete duplicate files
Try Duplicate Finder 2009 this is very good tool to find and eliminate true
duplicate files. Duplicate Finder 2009 search duplicates using byte by byte or crc32 to give you most accurate and faster results. Try it free: http://www.duplicate-finder-pro.com "Cliff" wrote: i have around 6000 duplicate files and i am going to give myself an aneurysm if i have to delete 1 by 1 if anyone has a simple fast way i be most grateful |
#11
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does anyone know of an easy way to delete duplicate files
Try Duplicate Finder 2009 to find and 'delete duplicate files' (http://www.duplicate-finder-pro.com/...cate-files.htm) including mp3s, Advance marking system lets you select files by date, size, and several other criteria. Duplicate files can be deleted, moved, or copied. Duplicate Finder 2009 search duplicates using byte by byte or crc32 to give you most accurate and faster results. Good interface with lots of features. Try it Now : 'Duplicate File Finder' (http://www.duplicate-finder-pro.com) -- joh202 Posted via http://ms-os.com Forum to Usenet gateway |
#12
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does anyone know of an easy way to delete duplicate files
недеља, 24. мај 2009. 07.39.08 UTC+2, Cliff је написао/ла:
i have around 6000 duplicate files and i am going to give myself an aneurysm if i have to delete 1 by 1 if anyone has a simple fast way i be most grateful I've recently found a software "Duplicate Files Deleter", and it can help you with this. Check http://DuplicateFilesDeleter.com , download it and you can find and delete duplicate files safely. There is a video to explain the process. Pretty nice solution to delete duplicates and enhance your computer's performance. |
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