Finding Duplicate Files

Duplicates can be found in one folder, multiple folders or paths and even across network drives.

If you are looking for duplicate files in a single folder then display that folder in an Explorer tab and  start with Step #2 below.

However if you want to search for duplicates across multiple folders start with Step #1 which is next.

Step #1: Collect files from the folders you want to check

If you want to search across multiple folders or drives, create a Virtual Folder of those folders first and then check for duplicates. Creating a Virtual Folder first makes the process quick, easy to repeat and easy to refine. In addition all of the normal file manipulation routines are available while reviewing the duplicate files.

 Start the Find > Files routine

• Select Find > Files by Name... or (Alt+I,F) from the main menu to open the dialog where you can specify exactly which files you want to find.
• If one or more folders are selected in the contents (right-hand) window those folders will be automatically entered into the Paths field of the find dialog.
• If no folders are selected in the contents window then the current folder will be entered into the Paths field.
• Of course you can change the paths at any time.
• FileBoss remembers what has been searched in the past even when it has been closed and then started again so you can always select a previous entry using the drop down list.

Specify what you want to find

Click image for full size view

• Select the drives or paths you want to check. Multiple paths are separated with the semi-colon (;), comma (,) or bar character (|). You can even specify folders to exclude by preceding the name with a minus sign. For complete details right-click over either the Paths  or the Patterns field.
• EntEnter one or more file patterns (or full filenames) you want to find. Multiple names and pattersn are separated with the semi-colon (;), comma (,) or bar character (|) (Hint: to quickly enter a bar character with a space on either side use Ctrl+space).
• Click OK to search and create a Virtual Folder of all matching files

You can find out more about using searches to create Virtual Folders here Finding Files by Name. For another way to create Virtual Folders see Creating Dynamic Virtual Folders.

Hint: If too many files are displayed you can either perform the operation again redefining what makes a duplicate a duplicate or which files should be included in the evaluation. Or you can select whole groups of files and hide (click the Hide Selected Files button) and then examine what is left.