How do I change which duplicate files are deleted?

Help & Support
1

Good day everyone,

I have the following structure of folders:

c:\family
2010
2011
2012

(i.e. c:\family\2010; c:\family\2011; c:\family\2012)

when I have new photos to add to the c:\family of folders I first run the Lister Duplicate File Finder Panel to make sure there are no duplicates. From time to time the results would find duplicates (using md5) like the following:

C:\family\LEB_tree (dated: today)
(x) C:\family\2012\LEB_tree (dated: 12-10-12)

c:\family\LEB_tree_2010 (dated: today)
(x) c:\family\2010\LEB_2010_tree (dated: 12-25-10)

The (x) reflects the results that suggests deleting the file within each of the folders and not the root folder even though the newer files show a modified date of today. How do I change DO to look at the root folder or the age of the files to decide which files to delete?

I would demonstrate this using screenshots but I'm at work so hopefully my write-up is clear for you.

Happy New Year!

2

It will keep the first file in each duplicate group and flag the rest for deletion.

So if you change the way the list is sorted and click the Select button again, you can make it select another file for deletion.

3

Thank you Leo, one last question related to the Lister Duplicate File Finder Panel. Is there a way to have it scan for duplicates that displays two folders simultaneously in one lister without having to manually add a folder to search? So no matter what tabs are displayed, I can run the Duplicate File Finder Panel to search for duplicates:

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4

No, but I think you can just drag the other tab into the list.

5

Hi Leo, it appears that the option of dragging the other tab into the list does not work. The moment I begin dragging the other tab, the "Find in:" within the Duplicate File Finder Panel automatically changes to that tab. That might be a nice enhancement to consider in a future release.

6

That is because the folder lock is on in the duplicate panel, although it turns out not to work anyway, sorry.

7

Hi Leo, I noticed that one of the bug fixes was "Dragging a folder from the file display border, Lister window icon, breadcrumbs field and folder tabs to the Duplicates Finder now correctly adds the folder to the list of paths to search".

For some reason, I get the same result as noted above (made sure the folder was unlocked), that is the moment I begin dragging the other tab, the "Find in:" within the Duplicate File Finder Panel automatically changes to that tab and therefore does not add the folder to the list of paths to search.
I'm not sure if I'm missing a step in between.

I am using the latest beta version.

8

The lock must still be on if it is doing that.

It is the lock directly to the right of where it says "Find in" and directly above the list of paths.

Also, to drag a folder tab you need to turn on Preferences / Folder Tabs / Options / Treat tab label as folder when dragged or right-clicked, and try with a normal folder (e.g. C:\ and not a virtual folder like Desktop) if you still have problems.

9

That was it, I did not see the lock to the right of "Find in". Thank you.