File Search > Duplicate File Search

This page lists files which are on your disk more than once. You can choose if duplicates should be indicated by equal name, size and last change date, or by comparing the MD5 checksum of their content. Comparing the file content provides more accurate results, but the search will take more time. A minimum size speeds up the compiling of the list and prevents you from looking through many small files. A check box allows to control whether or not the exclude filter should be used.

Please note: Replacing files by hard links will only be possible for files located on the same NTFS hard disks.

Minimum Size in KB	Defines the minimum size for files, that are subject to the duplicates search.
Compare [using MD5 Checksum / Size, Name and Date]	Defines, if files should be compared by using MD5 checksums, or just by checking for the same file size, file name and (creation) date. Note: When using MD5 checksums empty files are ignored, because there is no content to compare.
Use Exclude Patterns	If checked, FileSearch will use the defined exclude patterns in its search.
Ignore NTFS hard links	If checked, FileSearch will ignore NTFS hard links, which will speed up the search.

Like in all searches, you can move all files in the result list which are check-marked to the left of their file name, to a position in the file system that you may specify, by using the Move Checked button.

Deduplicate Checked:

Use this button to replace all checked but one duplicate files in a group by hard links to the one remaining checked file. This will reduce the allocated disc space of your duplicate files (See: NTFS Hard links). If you check only one file of a gourp, this file is replaced by a hard link to the "newest" (file with the latest last change date) unchecked file of this group. The button is located right beneath the "Move Checked" button and only visible if the "Duplicate Files" tab is selected.
The context menu of the duplicate files list offers a feature named "Replace Duplicates by Hard Links". This function works equal to the "Deduplicate Checked", beside it handles selected files instead of checked files.