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There are so many - what do you use for a freeware duplicate file finder on Windows?



 
 
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  #1  
Old August 6th 18, 10:06 PM posted to alt.comp.os.windows-10,microsoft.public.windowsxp.general,alt.comp.freeware
Arlen Holder
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Posts: 466
Default There are so many - what do you use for a freeware duplicate file finder on Windows?

Jesus...There are so many - what do you use for a freeware duplicate file
finder on Windows?

Googling, I find so many it's not funny...where you know there's a problem
when no two articles even have agreement on the top few.

First I tried the canonical duplicate file remover from Microsoft...
Microsoft Duplicate File Remover
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/p/duplicate-file-remover/9nblggh4sqnp

But it was too much GUI and too little customization.
http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=9081255duplicatefileremover.jpg

Then I searched for better duplicate file removers, and was aghast that
there is very little consensus among the "reviews" (many of which, I know,
are simply shills).

The Best Duplicate File Finder for Windows
* dupeGuru https://dupeguru.voltaicideas.net/
* Ccleaner https://www.ccleaner.com/ccleaner
https://lifehacker.com/the-best-duplicate-file-finder-for-windows-1696492476

What Is the Best Duplicate File Finder?
https://www.easyduplicatefinder.com/best-duplicate-file-finder.html

How to Find and Remove Duplicate Files on Windows
https://www.howtogeek.com/200962/how-to-find-and-remove-duplicate-files-on-windows/

5 Best Free Duplicate File Finder Software for Windows
https://www.cisdem.com/resource/best-free-duplicate-file-finder-for-windows.html

5 Best Free Duplicate File Finder and Remover
http://perfectgeeks.com/free-duplicate-file-finder-remover/
https://www.top5freeware.com/duplicate-file-finder
* Auslogics Duplicate File Finder https://softfamous.com/auslogics-duplicate-file-finder/
* AllDup https://softfamous.com/alldup/
* CloneSpy http://www.filesriver.com/app/117/clonespy
* Fast Duplicate File Finder http://www.filesriver.com/app/118/mindgems-fast-duplicate-file-finder
* Anti-Twin http://www.filesriver.com/app/119/anti-twin

26 Best Free Duplicate File Finders
https://listoffreeware.com/list-of-best-free-duplicate-file-finder/

What do you use for a freeware duplicate file finder on Windows?
Ads
  #2  
Old August 6th 18, 10:13 PM posted to alt.comp.os.windows-10,microsoft.public.windowsxp.general,alt.comp.freeware
Shadow
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 1,638
Default There are so many - what do you use for a freeware duplicate file finder on Windows?

On Mon, 6 Aug 2018 21:06:01 -0000 (UTC), Arlen Holder
wrote:

Jesus...There are so many - what do you use for a freeware duplicate file
finder on Windows?

Googling, I find so many it's not funny...where you know there's a problem
when no two articles even have agreement on the top few.

First I tried the canonical duplicate file remover from Microsoft...
Microsoft Duplicate File Remover
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/p/duplicate-file-remover/9nblggh4sqnp

But it was too much GUI and too little customization.
http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=9081255duplicatefileremover.jpg

Then I searched for better duplicate file removers, and was aghast that
there is very little consensus among the "reviews" (many of which, I know,
are simply shills).

The Best Duplicate File Finder for Windows
* dupeGuru https://dupeguru.voltaicideas.net/
* Ccleaner https://www.ccleaner.com/ccleaner
https://lifehacker.com/the-best-duplicate-file-finder-for-windows-1696492476

What Is the Best Duplicate File Finder?
https://www.easyduplicatefinder.com/best-duplicate-file-finder.html

How to Find and Remove Duplicate Files on Windows
https://www.howtogeek.com/200962/how-to-find-and-remove-duplicate-files-on-windows/

5 Best Free Duplicate File Finder Software for Windows
https://www.cisdem.com/resource/best-free-duplicate-file-finder-for-windows.html

5 Best Free Duplicate File Finder and Remover
http://perfectgeeks.com/free-duplicate-file-finder-remover/
https://www.top5freeware.com/duplicate-file-finder
* Auslogics Duplicate File Finder https://softfamous.com/auslogics-duplicate-file-finder/
* AllDup https://softfamous.com/alldup/
* CloneSpy http://www.filesriver.com/app/117/clonespy
* Fast Duplicate File Finder http://www.filesriver.com/app/118/mindgems-fast-duplicate-file-finder
* Anti-Twin http://www.filesriver.com/app/119/anti-twin

26 Best Free Duplicate File Finders
https://listoffreeware.com/list-of-best-free-duplicate-file-finder/

What do you use for a freeware duplicate file finder on Windows?


I use an old version of Digital Volcano Duplicate Cleaner

https://www.digitalvolcano.co.uk/duplicatecleaner.html

Have not tried more recent offerings.
[]'s


--
Don't be evil - Google 2004
We have a new policy - Google 2012
  #3  
Old August 6th 18, 10:24 PM posted to alt.comp.os.windows-10,microsoft.public.windowsxp.general,alt.comp.freeware
nospam
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 4,718
Default There are so many - what do you use for a freeware duplicate file finder on Windows?

In article , Arlen Holder
wrote:

Jesus...There are so many - what do you use for a freeware duplicate file
finder on Windows?


how is it that someone who repeatedly brags how well organized his file
system is ends up with duplicate files?

certainly you should know where they are, without any additional apps.
  #4  
Old August 6th 18, 10:53 PM posted to alt.comp.os.windows-10,microsoft.public.windowsxp.general,alt.comp.freeware
Sjouke Burry[_2_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 275
Default There are so many - what do you use for a freeware duplicatefile finder on Windows?

On 6-8-2018 23:06, Arlen Holder wrote:
Jesus...There are so many - what do you use for a freeware duplicate file
finder on Windows?


DoubleKiller 1.6.2.82 Portable :: Downloads / Misc :: winPenPack ...

  #5  
Old August 7th 18, 12:41 AM posted to alt.comp.os.windows-10,microsoft.public.windowsxp.general,alt.comp.freeware
Shadow
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 1,638
Default There are so many - what do you use for a freeware duplicate file finder on Windows?

On Mon, 06 Aug 2018 17:24:08 -0400, nospam
wrote:

In article , Arlen Holder
wrote:

Jesus...There are so many - what do you use for a freeware duplicate file
finder on Windows?


how is it that someone who repeatedly brags how well organized his file
system is ends up with duplicate files?

certainly you should know where they are, without any additional apps.


I use a duplicate finder to check that the ones I have backed
up to DVD are identical to the ones on disk. Good duplicate finders
use hashes and checksums.
[]'s
--
Don't be evil - Google 2004
We have a new policy - Google 2012
  #6  
Old August 7th 18, 05:08 AM posted to alt.comp.os.windows-10,microsoft.public.windowsxp.general,alt.comp.freeware
Arlen Holder
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 466
Default There are so many - what do you use for a freeware duplicate file finder on Windows?

On 6 Aug 2018 16:41:21 GMT, Shadow wrote:

I use a duplicate finder to check that the ones I have backed
up to DVD are identical to the ones on disk. Good duplicate finders
use hashes and checksums.


You need to ignore that troll "nospam" as he has never posted with any
helpful intent, and where there are entire threads about his mental status.
What are the common well-verified psychological traits of the Apple Apologists?
https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/misc.phone.mobile.iphone/18ARDsEOPzM

These Apple Apologists apparently hate that every other common consumer
operating system is far more functional than iOS is, that they simply
attack anyone they can who points out facts as they exist.

His entire belief system is based on imaginary fabrications of
functionality.

Anyway, to answer the question of why, in this case, I have two desktops
with three long-standing operating systems on each, which is well known in
the Windows 10 newsgroup, where I'm seeking to find duplicate files.

I think I will use your suggested Digital Volcano Duplicate Cleaner
https://www.digitalvolcano.co.uk/duplicatecleaner.html
Where I did try the canonical Microsoft duplicate cleaner, but didn't like
the lack of controls.

Thanks for being purposefully helpful by suggesting Digital Volcano
Duplicate Cleaner!
https://www.digitalvolcano.co.uk/download/DuplicateCleanerFree4_setup.exe

Apparently it's also on the "Microsoft Store" (if anyone actually uses it):
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/p/duplicate-cleaner-free/9nblggh4rrr3?rtc=1

Thanks for being purposefully helpful (unlike that worthless troll nospam).

Here's a quick ad-hoc log of my readme which accompanies all installations.
Download from https://www.digitalvolcano.co.uk/duplicatecleaner.html
https://www.digitalvolcano.co.uk/dow...ree4_setup.exe

Name: DuplicateCleanerFree4_setup.exe
Size: 5832208 bytes (5 MB)
SHA256: 298C9A663E2C36928F21AB97D93B8879F72E4672AE1B2200C1 4FF2A6D3B8F58B

It wants to go in: C:\Program Files (x86)\Duplicate Cleaner Free
I put it in: C:\app\archiver\dupcleaner\volcano
The shortcut points to:
C:\app\archiver\dupcleaner\volcano\DuplicateCleane r.exe
It opens in: C:\Users\Public\Documents


  #7  
Old August 7th 18, 07:45 AM posted to alt.comp.os.windows-10,microsoft.public.windowsxp.general,alt.comp.freeware
Chris
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 832
Default There are so many - what do you use for a freewareduplicate file finder on Windows?

Shadow wrote:
On Mon, 06 Aug 2018 17:24:08 -0400, nospam
wrote:

In article , Arlen Holder
wrote:

Jesus...There are so many - what do you use for a freeware duplicate file
finder on Windows?


how is it that someone who repeatedly brags how well organized his file
system is ends up with duplicate files?

certainly you should know where they are, without any additional apps.


I use a duplicate finder to check that the ones I have backed
up to DVD are identical to the ones on disk. Good duplicate finders
use hashes and checksums.
[]'s


You could cut out the middleman and store the checksums with your backups.
The issue with using a duplicate finder down the line is that if it shows
they're different, you don't know which has changed.

  #8  
Old August 7th 18, 09:02 AM posted to alt.comp.os.windows-10,microsoft.public.windowsxp.general,alt.comp.freeware
R.Wieser
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 1,302
Default There are so many - what do you use for a freeware duplicate file finder on Windows?

Chris,

The issue with using a duplicate finder down the line is that if
it shows they're different, you don't know which has changed.


That is what the "last changed" dates are for I think. :-)

.... unless you got a two whole branches of them.

Either way, the problem is moot. If they are different they sure as heck
are not duplicates, and both should be retained.

You could cut out the middleman and store the checksums
with your backups.


As you also should store the origional owner and his set permissions for the
file. If you don't you could have an un-doubled file backed up, but no way
to restore it to its individual owners.

@nospam:

I use a duplicate finder to check that the ones I have backed
up to DVD are identical to the ones on disk.


Trolling again ? You do not need a duplicate finder. All you need is a
"verify file A against copy B", which is something you got for free when
you installed your OS, and is called FC (short for File Compare).

Regards,
Rudy Wieser



  #9  
Old August 7th 18, 01:08 PM posted to alt.comp.os.windows-10,microsoft.public.windowsxp.general,alt.comp.freeware
nospam
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 4,718
Default There are so many - what do you use for a freeware duplicate file finder on Windows?

In article , R.Wieser
wrote:

Chris,

The issue with using a duplicate finder down the line is that if
it shows they're different, you don't know which has changed.


That is what the "last changed" dates are for I think. :-)

... unless you got a two whole branches of them.

Either way, the problem is moot. If they are different they sure as heck
are not duplicates, and both should be retained.


not necessarily. for example, one might want to save only the final
version of a document but other times, it might be the original that is
important, not an edited version. in some cases, every version needs to
be kept. sometimes the differences are only metadata and may not
matter, or maybe certain metadata does but not others. there is no hard
rule that applies to every situation.

You could cut out the middleman and store the checksums
with your backups.


As you also should store the origional owner and his set permissions for the
file. If you don't you could have an un-doubled file backed up, but no way
to restore it to its individual owners.


which any decent backup utility would do.

@nospam:

I use a duplicate finder to check that the ones I have backed
up to DVD are identical to the ones on disk.


Trolling again ? You do not need a duplicate finder. All you need is a
"verify file A against copy B", which is something you got for free when
you installed your OS, and is called FC (short for File Compare).


i didn't write the part to which you're responding (see below), but any
decent backup utility will verify what it backs up without any need for
any additional tools.


In article , Shadow
wrote:
I use a duplicate finder to check that the ones I have backed
up to DVD are identical to the ones on disk. Good duplicate finders
use hashes and checksums.

  #10  
Old August 7th 18, 05:38 PM posted to alt.comp.os.windows-10,microsoft.public.windowsxp.general,alt.comp.freeware
Shadow
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 1,638
Default There are so many - what do you use for a freeware duplicate file finder on Windows?

On Tue, 7 Aug 2018 10:02:48 +0200, "R.Wieser"
wrote:

I use a duplicate finder to check that the ones I have backed
up to DVD are identical to the ones on disk.


Trolling again ? You do not need a duplicate finder. All you need is a
"verify file A against copy B", which is something you got for free when
you installed your OS, and is called FC (short for File Compare).


That was me.
"Found 7500 files with duplicate checksums. Please choose
which ones to delete, the ones on the backup DVD or the ones in your
download folder".
Does FC do that ?
[]'s
--
Don't be evil - Google 2004
We have a new policy - Google 2012
  #11  
Old August 7th 18, 06:55 PM posted to alt.comp.os.windows-10,microsoft.public.windowsxp.general,alt.comp.freeware
Chris
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 832
Default There are so many - what do you use for a freewareduplicate file finder on Windows?

R.Wieser wrote:
Chris,

The issue with using a duplicate finder down the line is that if
it shows they're different, you don't know which has changed.


That is what the "last changed" dates are for I think. :-)


They can't be trusted.

... unless you got a two whole branches of them.

Either way, the problem is moot. If they are different they sure as heck
are not duplicates, and both should be retained.


Depends on why they're different. And when the difference occurred.

If one is corrupted there's no point in keeping it.

  #12  
Old August 7th 18, 07:28 PM posted to alt.comp.os.windows-10,microsoft.public.windowsxp.general,alt.comp.freeware
R.Wieser
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 1,302
Default There are so many - what do you use for a freeware duplicate file finder on Windows?

Shadow,

That was me.


Yup. I noticed today.

"Found 7500 files with duplicate checksums. Please choose
which ones to delete, the ones on the backup DVD or the ones
in your download folder".
Does FC do that ?


Nope.

And if that is all your duplicate finder does (generate and compare hashes)
than I would suggest you delete it, and find yourself another, better
program. You know, one which, after finding files with the same hashes
actually checks if they have the same *contents*.

And pardon me, but your 'puter and backup DVD are *supposed to* have
duplicates. Its why you make backups. Why would you want to delete the
(duplicate) files on either of them ?

What you, in your "compare origional with backup" case *need* is a program
which will report the *opposite* of duplicates - The files which are only
available on *one* of the two media. That number should always be exactly
Zero. Any other indicates a major problem.

As for that 7500 number ? Its worthless, as its too big. There is no way
you will be able to go thru all of them (3750 pairs) without fouling up
somewhere, and either not delete a duplicate, or delete a duplicate which
actually isn't (is expected to be present in that particular folder).

In other words: You are using that duplicate finder wrong: You should use it
on your 'puter *before* making the backup (as part of the pre-backup
maintenance), to see if it has the same file floating around in multiple
folders. And you should thread lightly if-and-when you find any (and
rethink your storage strategy).

After the backup you should *at most* use a simple binary file compare using
the exact same filepaths (but for the source & destination basepath
difference ofcourse), nothing more.

Regards,
Rudy Wieser


  #13  
Old August 7th 18, 07:38 PM posted to alt.comp.os.windows-10,microsoft.public.windowsxp.general,alt.comp.freeware
Shadow
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 1,638
Default There are so many - what do you use for a freeware duplicate file finder on Windows?

On Tue, 7 Aug 2018 20:28:13 +0200, "R.Wieser"
wrote:

Shadow,

That was me.


Yup. I noticed today.

"Found 7500 files with duplicate checksums. Please choose
which ones to delete, the ones on the backup DVD or the ones
in your download folder".
Does FC do that ?


Nope.

And if that is all your duplicate finder does (generate and compare hashes)
than I would suggest you delete it, and find yourself another, better
program. You know, one which, after finding files with the same hashes
actually checks if they have the same *contents*.


Nope, I keep anything that's been altered. And back it up next
time.

And pardon me, but your 'puter and backup DVD are *supposed to* have
duplicates. Its why you make backups. Why would you want to delete the
(duplicate) files on either of them ?


Because if they are backed up, the ones on disk are just using
up space.

What you, in your "compare origional with backup" case *need* is a program
which will report the *opposite* of duplicates - The files which are only
available on *one* of the two media. That number should always be exactly
Zero. Any other indicates a major problem.

As for that 7500 number ? Its worthless, as its too big. There is no way
you will be able to go thru all of them (3750 pairs) without fouling up
somewhere, and either not delete a duplicate, or delete a duplicate which
actually isn't (is expected to be present in that particular folder).


I just went though 20GB of photos with Duplicate Cleaner. Back
up to a DVD, eliminate duplicates on disk, back up another DVD's
worth, etc, until there were none.
Result = 20Gb of unique photos backed up.

In other words: You are using that duplicate finder wrong: You should use it
on your 'puter *before* making the backup (as part of the pre-backup
maintenance)

I do.

, to see if it has the same file floating around in multiple
folders. And you should thread lightly if-and-when you find any (and
rethink your storage strategy).

After the backup you should *at most* use a simple binary file compare using
the exact same filepaths (but for the source & destination basepath
difference ofcourse), nothing more.


I just use this for movies, photos and stuff I download. I use
FreeFileSync for other data.
[]'s
--
Don't be evil - Google 2004
We have a new policy - Google 2012
  #14  
Old August 7th 18, 08:11 PM posted to alt.comp.os.windows-10,microsoft.public.windowsxp.general,alt.comp.freeware
R.Wieser
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 1,302
Default There are so many - what do you use for a freeware duplicate file finder on Windows?

Shadow,

And if that is all your duplicate finder does (generate and compare
hashes) han I would suggest you delete it, and find yourself another,
better program. You know, one which, after finding files with the
same hashes actually checks if they have the same *contents*.


Nope, I keep anything that's been altered. And back it up next
time.


For some reason I cannot seem to correlate your reply with the statement I
made. What gives ?

Because if they are backed up, the ones on disk are just
using up space.


In other words: you are not making backups, you're offloading.

I just went though 20GB of photos with Duplicate Cleaner.
Back up to a DVD, eliminate duplicates on disk, back up
another DVD's worth, etc, until there were none.


Find yourself a "backup" program which has a "move" option (deleting the
origional after the copy has been written & verified). That way you do not
need to go thru such a two-step process. With a bit of luck all you than
need to do is to replace the DVD with a blank one when the program asks for
it.

But why are you still using those DVDs ? Even a small USB drive can hold
at least 25 times that. A bit bigger one can hold a hundred. And USB
drives are reusable and can be updated per file.

Regards,
Rudy Wieser

P.s.
I would suggest you actually make *backups* of those photos of yours (and
not just offload them). You won't like it when your "offload" medium
suddenly turns into an "offline" one. :-)


  #15  
Old August 7th 18, 08:15 PM posted to alt.comp.os.windows-10,microsoft.public.windowsxp.general,alt.comp.freeware
R.Wieser
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 1,302
Default There are so many - what do you use for a freeware duplicate file finder on Windows?

Chris,

They can't be trusted.


And neither can you trust your computer, OS or the program your find those
duplicates with. Your point ?

And as I already said, the whole point is moot. They are not duplicates,
thus no "which one should I delete?" choice exists.

Depends on why they're different ...


See above.

... And when the difference occurred.


Good luck with finding a (freeware) duplicate-finding programe which is
aware of that
kind of thing.

If one is corrupted there's no point in keeping it.


And that has to do with de-duplication ... what exactly ?

In other words, go bull**** someone else.

Regards,
Rudy Wieser



 




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