Does anyone have a solution to identifying and safely removing duplicate files from Windows XP Home edition?
I have a program which identifies them but I have to make the choice of which one to delete and I am not sufficiently computer educated to do that.
Regards
BillyBoy
Re: How to remove duplicate files from XP
What duplicate files?
Re: How to remove duplicate files from XP
Hi Gordon,
The duplicate files are anything and everything.
I use "EasyCleaner" by Toni Arts which has identified 7961files in 3613 groups and amounting to more than 1.25 GB.
The program advises caution and warns of the danger of deleting the wrong file. I was wondering if there was something (or someone) a bit more sophisticated around which was able to take the guesswork out of the operation.
Thanks for your interest.
Bill
Re: How to remove duplicate files from XP
Once the duplicates have been identified I would suggest you don't delete them, just move them to a directory you create. Wait a few days to see if your system behaves normally then you can delete them. If your system plays up you will probably get the message that *** file can't be found, if it's one of the files you've put in the directory you created restore it to it's previous position then if the error message disappears then you'll know you've done the right thing. After maybe a week or so if all is working fine it's safe to delete the duplicates.
I hope this helps
Re: How to remove duplicate files from XP
Hi Billyboy,
You did right to be cautious. I wasn't, and asked easycleaner to remove the lot, assuming it was only showing the duplicates. System crashed immediately and required a complete winXP reload.
I am still looking for old data in various hidden files around my rebuilt system. I believe the problem is due to different file associations used by various programs and the fact that easy cleaner takes no note of the reasons why files are duplicated.
I think you might get some guidance by checking properties of each file, but I have taken the cowards way out. With an 80 gig hard drive, a couple of meg of duplicates are not such a problem. I just leave 'em where they are. Apart from that, Easy Cleaner is a great program to keep your registry in order and clean out cookies and temps.
Bob Burns
Re: How to remove duplicate files from XP
In general it has been my experience that any files generated by windows or other programs, it is best to leave them alone. By deleting what seems like an insignificant file (even duplicated ones) you are literally taking a risk not worth the trouble it can cause.
Windows generates dulicate files all the time and some program is going to use it and needs it located where it was generated.
Unless you generated the duplicate, then it is best left alone. If hard drive space is an issue then it best to uninstall programs not used or backup data files that you have made and delete those. Another option, hard drives are rather cheap now and are easily added.
I know this does not help answer your question, but it will save you a lot headaches in the long run.
Good luck
Re: How to remove duplicate files from XP
Hi and thank you to everyone who responded to my call for advice on removing duplicate files from XP.
Almost without exception, I have been advised to leave them where they are as deleting them could cause more problems than it cures.
I shall now take that advice on board and ignore the duplicates.
Again, many thanks,.....great forum !!
BillyBoy
This software worked for me - www.dublicatefilesdeleter.com
deleting duplicate files I am also facing the same issue of duplicate files. i got the solution when i used a utility http://duplicatefilesdeleter.com/ and it worked for me.
Here is the solution in this link: http://DuplicateFilesDeleter.com
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