Softworld editor's review -
Scan and remove duplicate files
Duplicate Cleaner is an utility which may be used to search for duplicate files.
When the application is started, the default section that is launched is Search Criteria.
Basically, in this field you are in the position to use all sorts of filters in order to search more efficiently for duplicates.
In File Filter you can select various file types for which the program to search: Documents, Pictures, Audio/Music, Video and Everything.
Below this section you have Exclude. This tool can be used to specify the files which to be excluded from scanning.
Then, you can choose to enter the minimum and maximum file size. If you are undecided when it comes to this, just select Any Size.
Next, you get the chance to pick the duplicate file types for which the software to scan.
You may select to find files with the same content, file name, size, created date, modified date, same artist, same title and same album.
Right bellow this, you are provided two boxes. The one in the left side allows you to look for various folders that you want to be searched for duplicate content.
The moment you have decided on the folders, all that needs to be done is to add them into the Search Paths box.
After selecting your search filters, at the top of the interface click on the Scan Now button.
The moment the scanning process is completed (117 GB in approximately 3 minutes, which is pretty good), a window is displayed in which can be seen various scan details: the number of files scanned, how many groups of duplicates have been found, the number of files that have duplicates and the amount of time in which the scan procedure was accomplished.
After closing this, into to main window you will be able to see and manage all the found files.
Next, you will need to pick the files that you want to be deleted. This process can be performed manually or by using the Selection Assistant.
In case the program has found lots and lots of duplicates, then is recommended to use the Selection Assistant tool. Although this is a great feature, what i don't like about it is the fact that is pretty confusing to be used, especially for the first time.
However, if Duplicate Cleaner has displayed into the main window just a couple of duplicates, click right on them and use the available filters.
After you have picked the files which you wish to be removed, on the interface navigate to File Removal.
Here you are able to manage your duplicates in various ways. You can choose to delete them to recycle bin, move or copy the files to a specific folder, rename the files etc.
In this field you also have the Create Hardlinks feature. Although, in the help section you are provided a pretty detailed explanation of this utility, for a beginner user understanding why it's useful to be used, certainly that is not very easy.
In the general Options of the program you can enable Duplicate Cleaner to scan subfolders, don't scan system files/folders, count hardlinks in file, read music tags, read image tags, protect Windows and Program Files directories etc.
Duplicate Cleaner is very good program for getting rid of the duplicate files from your computer.
The only complaint that i have is that, some of the software's features are pretty difficult to be operated.
Good:
-excellent search filters
-fast scanning procedure
-Selection Assistant feature
Bad:
-using some of the settings in Selection Assistant is pretty confusing
-the beginner users will encounter difficulties in understanding the utility of the Create Hardlinks function
Version 2.0.6 reviewed on: 22 Aug 2011
Publisher's description
Find and delete duplicate files and music on your hard drive or network. Free.
Cleaner hard drives means faster performance! Save disk space by finding and deleting duplicate files on your hard drive or network. Duplicate Cleaner can find duplicate files, music (MP3, M4A, M4P, etc), photos, videos or documents - if it is duplicated on your system then Duplicate Cleaner will find it! It then offers you many ways in which to safely select and move,delete or hard link these files. Features: Lightning fast scanning, music and image scanning, selection assistant and more.
Features:
* Find Duplicate Files by content, name, date or music tags.
* Fastest Scanning and accurate duplicate comparison
* Deep scans music - iTunes formats supported.
* Supports Windows 7
* MP3,M4A,M4P,OGG,APE,WMA,FLAC.
* Scans image tags
* Flexible search parameters.
* Intelligent Selection Assistant - helps you to select the files you want.
* Search home or networked drives.
* Search in multiple locations.
* Export and Import results in CSV format.
* View Path, Size and Date of files.
* Large, resizable list window.
* Image preview window.
* Delete duplicate files to the Recycle bin.
* Move duplicate files to a new location.
* Rename duplicate files..
* Turn duplicate files into hard links
* Protection for Windows and system files.
* Supports multiple languages.
* Fully Unicode compatible
Changes on the new version:Major scanning engine update,bugfixes,Languages added.
