Killing off duplicate files

[swee'pea99]

After reinstalling Win 10 and copying back loads of images, I've discovered that somewhere along the line I've managed to copy a whole load of files into a folder where they already exist, and I presume I failed to click on 'skip' duplicates, so I've ended up with

..and the like. Does anyone know of an easy way to get shot of all those (2) files? There's thousands, so I can't face doing them one at a time.

Thanks if you can help.

 

[ColinJ]

Use search on the folder, searching for (2). Highlight those and delete them?

 

[mistyoptic]

In the folder change view to "details", sort by "date created" (might need to create that column by right clicking in the heading). This should group them all together so you can select the group and delete them as a group

 

[Kempstonian]

Another way would be to delete them all and then recopy the images back.

 

[IanSmithCSE]

If you are happy with command lines

Open a command window, change to the relevant folder and del *(2).*

If the above confuses you, I won't explain further as you might end up deleting wanted files. :=)

 

[MontyVeda]

I used a bit of software a few years back called 'double killer' (I think)... it searches for duplicate files (even when the file name has changed) and highlights them all so can delete the duplicates... It saved me quite a few GB of drive space.

 

[Moon bunny]

I thought this was a thread about going mental with the insecticide.

 

[Smokin Joe]

I thought this was a thread about going mental with the insecticide.

I read it as flies too.

 

[Deleted member 26715]

If you are happy with command lines

Open a command window, change to the relevant folder and del *(2).*

If the above confuses you, I won't explain further as you might end up deleting wanted files. :=)

I would always suggest a ls before a del just to be sure

 

[CharlesF]

You could try CloneSpy, or the better known Ccleaner

 

[swee'pea99]

Thanks very much for all suggestions, much appreciated.

Use search on the folder, searching for (2). Highlight those and delete them?

My first thought, but it didn't work. As best I remember it simply ignored the brackets and returned every file including a 2 in its name.

In the folder change view to "details", sort by "date created" (might need to create that column by right clicking in the heading). This should group them all together so you can select the group and delete them as a group

I shall try this.

Another way would be to delete them all and then recopy the images back.

I'd rather avoid this if possible.

I liked the command line idea. But \i rather stubbed my toe on

I would always suggest a ls before a del just to be sure

Eh?

Does CCleaner do this? I've used it before but I didn't know it could do this.

Thanks again. I'll try the non-scary ideas first.

 

[classic33]

Thanks very much for all suggestions, much appreciated.

My first thought, but it didn't work. As best I remember it simply ignored the brackets and returned every file including a 2 in its name.

I shall try this.

I'd rather avoid this if possible.

I liked the command line idea. But \i rather stubbed my toe on



Eh?

Does CCleaner do this? I've used it before but I didn't know it could do this.

Thanks again. I'll try the non-scary ideas first.

CCCleaner has a duplicate finder. It can be used to search a single file for duplicates. Used it, but I've had to delete the duplicates manually.

 

[swee'pea99]

CCCleaner has a duplicate finder. It can be used to search a single file for duplicates. Used it, but I've had to delete the duplicates manually.

What, one by one? (I'm talking well north of a thousand of these (2) jpgs, - & in some cases (2) & (3)s too)

 

[ColinJ]

My first thought, but it didn't work. As best I remember it simply ignored the brackets and returned every file including a 2 in its name.

I just tested it and you are right, but I tested it again with "("2")" and it worked!

 

[classic33]

What, one by one? (I'm talking well north of a thousand of these (2) jpgs, - & in some cases (2) & (3)s too)

Brings up a list of the duplicates.

List is duplicate file name, followed by each copy of that file found.

Having seen ColinJ's answer, I'd be inclined to go with that option