CNET Editors' review
Duplicate Cleaner 1.3 is a tremendously helpful program for anyone wishing to tidy up a PC by identifying and deleting duplicate files. Though simple to use, we don't recommend this for novices, because of the potential damage from mistakenly removing needed files.
Duplicate Cleaner's interface is all business. Although fairly straightforward, some odd interface choices may throw you, such as requiring you to click Select in order to see the types of available files rather than including those types in the drop-down list already visible. The program gives you three basic options for searching: folder(s), file type(s), and filter criteria. We scanned a single drive (about 12,000 folders), looking for audio files and using the CRC Checksum method for comparison. The scan took just under 6 minutes and found 19 groups of duplicates comprising 43 individual files. You can also search for files with the same file name, size, or date--or any combination thereof--and limit the search to files within a particular size range.
Once the application returns a list of results, you then have to decide what to do with the dupes. The application allows you to tick the boxes of the items you want to modify and perform an action-- Delete/Delete the Recycle Bin, Move to Folder, or Create Hardlinks (on NTFS systems only). Duplicate Cleaner can also clean up orphaned files and empty folders if you so desire. A Selection Assistant allows you to select and deselect files en masse using various criteria, such as a file name pattern match or file size.
Here is where the user interface may trip up novices or even cautious advanced users: you must first select the files you want to modify, then click a button that says Remove Selected. Files aren't deleted at this stage, however; the program opens a new window giving you the Delete/Move/Create Hardlinks options. In the end, the application tries to be safe: whatever your choice, it will ask you to confirm. If you seem to be doing something odd--such as deleting all files within a group rather than just the ones that are duplicates--the application will again ask you to confirm.
The application offers a few safety measures directly accessible from an Options file menu. Items such as Protect C\Windows and C:\Program files, etc., are selected by default. Such files will still show up in a duplicate list, and you will not see this in action until you go through with confirming the deletion of such a file. We would have preferred that protected files didn't show up in the search results at all. Still, we found that, overall, Duplicate Cleaner is an excellent optimization tool for intermediate to advanced users.
Publisher's Description
From DigitalVolcano:
Duplicate Cleaner is a tool to assist in cleaning up the contents of their personal hard drive or network. You'd be surprised just how many duplicate files you could find forgotten in an obscure documents folder. Photos, music, Word documents, PowerPoint presentations, videos - you name it, if it appears twice on your system then Duplicate Cleaner will find it.
What's new in this version: Version 2.1 may include unspecified updates, enhancements, or bug fixes.
More Popular File Management downloads
- EaseUS Partition Master Home Edition
62,537 downloads
- Easeus Data Recovery Wizard Free Edition
23,091 downloads
- TeraCopy
11,440 downloads
- Unlocker
9,551 downloads
- GoodSync
9,288 downloads
-
All versions:
4.1 starsout of 263 votes
-
Current version:
4.0 starsout of 31 votes
-
My rating:
Write review
-
"Gets rid of tons of excess baggage!"
Version: Duplicate Cleaner 2.1
Pros
Loads and interfaces with other software with no problems. Shows duplicates and gives you choices on what to do with them. Makes a significant difference in operating time and smoothness. A quality piece of software. Free. Does not pull the bait and switch where you find out after install you have to buy it to get anything out of it. I hate those3 merchants and will erase them and never buy from them. The bait results are often lies anyway! This one downloads slick, and operates well with good results which make a difference in your machine3!
Cons
None I have found yet.
Summary
Read 3. Try it. It is free and not some piece of junk that lies to you then gives you the high pressure install and tries to grab your billfold!
-
"Doesn't work with RealPlayer"
Version: Duplicate Cleaner 2.1
Pros
No trouble shooting guide.
Cons
Did not find any duplicates in my 2450 RealPlayer music files, which has many duplicates, triplicates, and quadruplicates.
-
"not free not even shareware"
Version: Duplicate Cleaner 2.1
Pros
fast scanner and gave good reports
Cons
no functions work just shows you results
Summary
purchace or forget it
-
"Elegantly designed"
Version: Duplicate Cleaner 2.1
Pros
Excellent software - far better than I'd expected to get for free. The designers have clearly put a lot of effort into making the product functional and intuitive.
Cons
There are no cons.
The negative comments appear to be cases of PEBCAK (problem exists between chair and keyboard). The software has no shortfalls other than it is sufficiently powerful that it can do strange things if the person running it doesn't take the time to read the screen and think carefully about what they want to do, and the potential implications.
I may have created a small problem for myself by shrinking a few columns on the Duplicate Files too much - it happens fast and then they disappear completely. It isn't evident how to restore them - so just be a little careful.Summary
If I could clone the folks who designed this product I'd put them in charge of designing all the software the world could need. Thanks DigitalVolcano!
-
"Intuitive Interface, Great File Selection Tools"
Version: Duplicate Cleaner 2.1
Pros
I'm usually a skeptic and not easily impressed by these types of programs due to unfulfilled promises of what they say they can do and the ease with which they do it, but Duplicate Cleaner surprised me. Of several other duplicate file finders I tried, this was by far the easiest to use and the most accurate in targeting the files I was trying to get rid of. I used it primarily to remove the multitude of duplicate music files I had accumulated due to cross-referencing from WMP, Nero, and Media Monkey. Found 671 duplicate files (over 9.5GB) in relatively short time, and the 'Selection Assistant' made quick, easy work of removing the extra files and folders. I have since used the program on other files with the same success, and as an experiment I even tried it on a mounted image of an Acronis True Image back-up file -- surprisingly (or maybe not!) it worked flawlessly and an Archive Validation showed no corruption of the back-up file. Color me impressed.
Cons
Amazingly, none that I have experienced.
Summary
If you've got the time, read my "Pros" -
-
"Very nice interface, intuitive"
Version: Duplicate Cleaner 2.1
Pros
Logical presentation of results; easy to mark the duplicates I wan to delete with confidence
Cons
Might be intimidating for novices
Summary
Overall a very useful program for free
-
"Not really free?"
Version: Duplicate Cleaner 2.1
Pros
I installed this thinking it would be something I could run and try out but I don't like surprises like this one gave me. I had thousands of duplicates that I wanted to take care of but the only pro I found was that it let me see how to get rid of only 10 of my files. Although it did its job I can't get over the fact that it lied about it being free.
Cons
My number one problem with any software is that if it advertises it is free or free to try then I expect certain things. I expect that you can't always get something great for free, and this fit the bill.
Summary
I think I will look for another more honest program. I am sure there will be something the same if not better that if I am going to spend money that that company will be more forthcoming with the description of its product/software.
-
"Does what it says..."
Version: Duplicate Cleaner 2.1
Pros
Sorted through 15,000 music files in multiple directories. I was able to whittle library down to 2,000 files.
Cons
Took forever, but could have been due to number of files.
Summary
I am pleased with the product - especially for free. Thanks.
-
"Very easy product to use to get rid of duplicates."
Version: Duplicate Cleaner 2.1
Pros
Very fast at sorting out duplicates and selection criteria to change those marked for deletion. It's free and easy to use!
Cons
None as of yet.
-
"Reasonably fast, reliable, simple user interface"
Version: Duplicate Cleaner 2.1
Pros
Preview function is nice for cleaning up duplicate pictures
Cons
None off the top of my head
Add Your Review
Submit your reply
E-mail this review
Report offensive content
See more CNET content tagged:
Previous Versions:
