Removing File Copies with Duplicates Finder
Watch tutorial on Duplicates Finder
Duplicates Finder detects file copies that take up space on your hard drive. It groups such identical files, enabling you to remove unnecessary duplicates.
When you open Duplicates Finder, you should click Scan to check your user folder for file copies.
Click Scan to check your user folder for file copies.
As a result, you will see a list of all files that have duplicates.
Duplicates Finder will scan your system for file copies. As a result, you will see a list of all files that have duplicates.
When the scan is over, you can define which columns should be displayed in its results list. The Title and Size columns are always shown, but you can show more. To do it, right-click the column header area and select the columns you would like to display. There are four options available: Date Created, Date Modified, Last Opened, and Type. You can also show all columns by selecting the corresponding command.
Select the columns you would like to display.
Duplicates Finder. Additional Columns
Expand a file to see its duplicates along with the paths where they are located. Duplicates Finder detects even those files that were renamed, as it compares the contents of the files instead of just names and sizes.
Expand a file to see its duplicates along with the paths where they are located.
Important
If you click the Dups button, the system will automatically leave only the copy that has been recently updated and select the others for removal.
Duplicates Finder. Dups Button
However, you should be extremely careful when using this button. Never use this button to remove duplicates of such stuff as music or photos! Only a human can define which of the files is original, so we strongly recommend manual selection of the original. To be even more safe, go to Preferences and add your folders from iTunes, iPhoto and all other important stuff to the ignore list. You will learn more about Duplicates Finder preferences in the corresponding chapter.
Duplicates Finder. Preferences Window
You can use the Quick Look button to preview the files and search for specific files using the Filter field. When the copies are selected, click Remove, and all of them will be moved to the Trash. To repeat the scan, click Scan. To search for duplicates in another folder, click Change Folder.
When the copies are selected, click Remove, and all of them will be moved to the Trash.
Please note that the Start the scan immediately option is selected by default in the Open dialog, meaning that the scan will start automatically once the folder is changed.
The Start the scan immediately option is selected by default, meaning that the scan will start automatically once the folder is changed.
Drag and Drop Support: You can use the drag and drop functionality to quickly delete any item with its components.
Duplicates Finder Preferences
How to set up Duplicates Finder in Preferences?
Duplicates Finder Preferences