Deleting duplicate files off a hard drive?

[Z]

Want to delete all duplicate files off an external HD. About 150 Gb.

Seems like I need to download a program to do this......right?

google leads me to this---->http://www.bigbangenterprises.de/en/doublekiller/

Good to download and use? My computer won't catch the swine flu will it?

[RShea]

I have not used that one in your link. I have used 2 others that just search for duplicates only. Then you have to decide if you want to delete one of the 2. You pretty much don't want a program to automatically delete the duplicates it finds unless you can eliminate the Windows folders that are important for your computer to start up and run. If you can't then it may end up removing the wrong files.

Looks like the version you linked is available for free (non-cmmercial license) and they have a Pro version that is paid. Note the differences and make sure you are dealing with small file sizes (under 2 gig on the free edition)- usually not a problem for the typical home computer user unless you are into videos or something that is a rather large file size.

[jmf]

what's the layout of the dupe files? truncated or appended file names in the same directory? like song1.mp3 and song1(a).mp3? you can probably do this pretty easily without downloading anything.

[Pura Vida]

I use WinMerge for that sort of thing, it allows you to compare folders and files and see what matches down to the binary level and easily copy/delete. It's open source and safe for your comp. http://winmerge.org/

[RShea]

I have used Duplicate File Finder and it is safe.

http://www.funduc.com for the Shareware version.

[Z]

what's the layout of the dupe files? truncated or appended file names in the same directory? like song1.mp3 and song1(a).mp3? you can probably do this pretty easily without downloading anything.

It seems they mostly have the same exact file name, or in some cases they may have slightly different names. If I can elimate all of em with the same name I'd be happy with that. What are you thinking? All the files are mp3s, fyi, so no huge files.


Thanks for all the suggestions. Basically im looking for free as i doubt i'll ever use this program again.

[jmf]

^ it's not really possible for two files of the exact same name to exist in the same directory... make sure your file extensions are displayed. please check if the dupe files have a different extension, as this would make the operation about as simple as they get.