How to Remove Duplicate Files

 

finddupeswindow_resultstab_panenames

 

The Duplicate File Finder feature of FolderMatch allows you to find and remove duplicate files from your system.  We discuss “Finding duplicate files” in another topic.

 

Removing duplicates is a three-step process: Select the files to remove, choose the Removal Method, then remove the selected files.

 

hmtoggle_arrow1Step 1. Select the files to remove

 

You select the files to remove by "marking" them.  You can select/mark files manually, or the program can do it for you using instructions you provide via a Mark for Removal rule.  Marked files have a check in their box checkedbox and a light red back color.

 

The top four files have been marked

The top four files have been marked

 

 

You mark files in the Group Details window by placing a check in the box checkedbox to the left of the file. When you do so, the file path back color changes to a light red, as another indicator of the marked file.

 

Step-by-step instructions:

 

1.Click on a group of duplicates from the Duplicate Groups list.  

 

2.In the Group Details window, mark each of the files you want to remove. There are several ways to mark the file: You may click in the box, or select the file and press the Mark file button, or choose the "Mark selected file for removal" option from the File menu.

 

Repeat these two steps for each group of duplicates that contains files you want to remove.

 

 

 

The program can mark files for you using a Mark for Removal rule. These rules provide instructions to the program about which files you want to keep and which ones you want to remove. The program applies the rule to every duplicate group, marking the files that match the rule.

 

You can select the Mark for Removal rule you want from two places on this window:

 

1.The Mark button on the main toolbar

2.The Mark Multiple Files button on the Mark for Removal toolbar.

 

Both buttons have an arrow on the right side.  Clicking on the arrow reveals a drop-down list of Mark for Removal rules.

 

1.The Mark button on the main toolbar

 

findupes_toolbar_markbtn

 

2.The Mark Multiple Files button on the Mark for Removal toolbar

 

findupes_markforremovaltoolbar_markmultiplefilesbtn

 

Clicking on the arrow on each of these buttons reveals the following drop-down list of Mark for Removal rules.  Select the rule you desire.

 

 Mark for Removal rules


Mark for Removal rules

 

Note that some listed rules have an ellipsis at the end.  These are rules that require additional information.  When you select one of these rules, the Mark for Removal window will appear for you to enter the required information.

 

When you (or the program) have selected all files to remove, you can remove them using the current Removal Method or you can choose a different Removal Method.

 

 

hmtoggle_arrow1Step 2. Choose the Removal Method (optional)

 

The program can move or delete the files marked in Step 1. If you want to delete the files, you may either delete them permanently or move them to the Recycle Bin. We call these options “Removal Methods.” When you remove the marked files, the program will use the selected removal method. You may change the current removal method selection before removing the files or you may bypass this step and use the current method. (You may also remove the files using a particular method without changing the current setting. See Step 3 for more information about this option.)
 
You can change the Removal Method in two places:

 

1.The Options menu on this window

2.The Find Duplicate File tab on the Options window.

 

1.The Options menu on this window

 

findduplicates_options_removalmethodmenu

 

Click on the Options >> Removal methods menu to make your selection.

 

2.The Find Duplicate File tab on the Options window

 

options_findduplicatefiles_removalmethod

 

Click on the Options button fm4 options hot 32x32 rgb on the toolbar to go to the Find Duplicate Files tab on the Options window.

 

See Also:

Removal Methods

 

 

hmtoggle_arrow1Step 3. Remove the selected files

 

To remove the files using your current Remove Method setting, press the Remove button on the main toolbar.

 

fm4 delete hot 32x32 rgb

 

To remove the files using a different Remove Method (without changing the current Remove Method setting), select it from the Remove toolbar button drop-down menu.

 

findupes_removebtndropdownmenu

 

Example) Your current Remove Method is Move to FM_DUPES Folder.  You want to permanently delete the marked files but you don't want this to be your normal remove method setting.  To achieve this, you select Delete Permanently from the button's drop-down menu.  The program deletes the marked files permanently and your remove method remains unchanged.

 

 

Important: Read Before Removing Duplicate Files

 

warning

 

Caution: Removing certain duplicate files can cause system instability or data loss. Please carefully review the following guidelines before proceeding:

 

•Do not remove System or Windows files: Removing essential system files can prevent your computer from functioning properly.  

 

•Only remove files you have created: Verify that the duplicates are files you recognize and have created or downloaded.

 

•Thoroughly analyze each file: Ensure that the files you are about to remove are truly duplicates and not required by other applications.

 

•Use the "Move to FM_DUPES folder" removal method: This method allows you to safely remove duplicates by moving them to a designated folder, ensuring you can recover them if needed.

 

For detailed instructions and best practices, please refer to the help topic File Removal Guidelines