Space Hound 32 Screen Pictures - Find Duplicate Files Which Have the Same File Name

Space Hound 32 - Duplicate Files: Names

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The Duplicate Files Names Report is straightforward and easy to understand. It utilizes a two sided view which allows you to quickly examine the state of duplicate files on your system by summarizing each occurrence of a duplicate condition.
A search by identical File Name is reasonably quick and will isolate the majority of the duplicate file issues on your system. The rules for this type of search are limited only to the file name itself. The content, the various date stamps, as well as size of the file may be different. It's biggest drawback is the sheer number of files it is likely to return. Because of this, a Duplicate Names Search may not be the best choice when you first begin. Please refer to the section on Duplicate Files: Exact for more information.

Available features from the button bar include:

a report by Duplicate File Instance

a Duplicate Files report

a user customizable files report based on grid settings

an export function

a file viewer linked to the built-in QuikView viewers

a file launch tool

file management functions which allow for moving, copying, or zip archiving files

bit by bit file comparison tool

delete button

By using the mouse to click once on a column header, you can sort the display in any order desired. This allows you to focus your time on the files which consume the most room or are the most numerous. After all, with today's 20 and 30 gigabyte disk drives, saving 50k here and there isn't even worth the bother. Space Hound 32 helps you concentrate on really big waste so that you can get back to using your computer instead of managing it.

In the example below, the left side of the display has the file name SSCALB.VBX highlighted. The summary tells us that there are a total of 4 instances of this file which have been returned by the search. Each of these 4 files is shown on the Duplicate File Matches side of the display.

A feature first released in version 3 of Space Hound 32 is the Suggest Button which can be seen on the top right of the display. Space Hound 32 does not automatically delete duplicate files from your system. At Fineware, we consider that approach far too dangerous for both novice and expert users. However, we also understand that many of the users who need our program are not system gurus who are well versed in PC file management. Because of this, we created the Suggest Button.

Shown to the right is the suggestion calculated against the example above.

As the disclaimer (shown in red) implies, there are no absolutes with regards what is appropriate with a given environment. These files are duplicated on the authors PC because he has a need to maintain historical copies of each application he has on the market. This is one the main reasons we do not automate duplicate file removal functions.

The suggestion provided is developed in a logical manor. Each included statement either states a fact or draws a conclusion on all of the previously discovered information. Frequent use of this tool will make you a system guru in a very short period of time.

Since the function of these web pages is both both sales and education, we will use this example and expand on the through process used.

	All files contain embedded version information.	This is a critical first step. There are only a few ways to identify the age of a file. Having an embedded file version is the most assured method because it is not subject to the whims of the user. File dates and file names are all modifiable and cannot be relied on to properly identify one file as being more recent than another.
	More than one file found with the latest version number: 1.0.0.122.	In general, files which contain embedded version information are normally part of an application or perhaps a component within the operating system itself. This suggestion line tells us that the most current version on the computer is version 1.0.0.122 but to use caution because there is more than one file with this information.
	More than one file found with the latest modification date stamp: 5/1/97 1:03:00 AM.	Although date stamps shouldn't be relied on, it may become important to know which one has the most recent date. In this case, that date was 5/1/97 and is the same on two or more of the four total files which have the same name.
	File item #4 names: SSCALB.VBX which is located in directory C:\Windows\System is one of the most recent copies.	This is where the Suggest Button's logic is beginning to settle on a likely candidate for being the correct one to keep. The Windows\System directory is frequently used as a location for files which are shared by more than one program.
	File item #4 is location in the Windows System directory and visible to all applications. It also has the latest Embedded Version Information and Date Stamp.	This is a perfect scenario for making a logical choice on choosing which file to keep and which ones can "probably" be deleted without worry. The rule is that if you are not 100% certain yourself then instead of deleting the 3 files then you should copy them to diskette and store them in a safe place just to be sure. Space Hound 32 offers exceptional capabilities for this by including both a MOVE and COPY capability but a Zip Archiving feature also.
	This file contained in the System directory is the most current. It should be kept.	This is the final recommendation of the program.

Duplicate Files | Duplicate File Names | Exact Duplicates | Content Based