File removal
Overview
Section titled “Overview”The file removal panels contain everything you need when it comes to deleting, moving, copying, renaming and linking files. All these operations are performed on the files you have marked (ticked) in the list.
You can also export file lists, in a format suitable for programs such as Microsoft Excel.
The panels are opened from the toolbar on the left of the Duplicate files and Remaining files tabs:
- Delete files - Send marked files to the Recycle Bin (Trash on macOS), or delete them permanently.
- Move or copy files - Move or copy marked files to another folder.
- Rename files - Add a prefix or suffix to the names of marked files.
- Link files - Replace marked files with links to the copy you keep (Windows).
- Export - Save the file list as a CSV file, or create a batch file.
The Delete and Move or copy panels can also take sidecar files along with the files they belong to.
Make sure you are in the right tab before you start - the panels work on the marked files in the list they were opened from.
Before you start
Section titled “Before you start”Each panel shows how many files are marked, and their total size, so you can check you are about to work on the files you expect.
- If every copy in some groups is marked, the warning “n file group(s) have ALL copies of duplicate files marked” is shown above the list. Removing the files would leave you with no copy at all. Check these groups with the Groups with all files marked filter.
- On the Remaining files tab, the Delete files panel warns that you may be removing the only copy of a file.
- You will be asked to confirm before files are changed, unless Suppress all confirmation prompts is ticked in General settings.
Always be careful, and be sure you have a backup before starting!
While and after the operation
Section titled “While and after the operation”Progress is shown in the panel, and the operation can be stopped with Cancel. When it finishes, a summary of what was done is shown, along with any problems.
- Files in protected folders are never removed. With Protect important system folders ticked, files in system folders are left alone too.
- Files in virtual folders can’t be removed, copied or changed - they are only a record of files elsewhere.
- Removed files are dropped from the list. If Automatically hide duplicate groups when one file remaining is ticked in General settings, a group with only one file left (which is no longer a duplicate) is dropped too.
- All operations are recorded in the log file. Click View log in the panel to see it.