Duplicate File Finder

Duplicate File Finder helps you identify and remove duplicate files from predefined file categories. You can scan user-specified locations, exclude folders from the scan, and securely delete duplicate files using the deletion method of your choice. By default, the One Pass Random-Quick Data Destruction method is selected.

The following file categories are scanned by Duplicate File Finder:

Adding a Custom File Extension

Duplicate File Finder comes with a list of file types that you can search for when looking for duplicate files. If the file type you want to check is not available in the list, you can add its file extension as a custom extension.

After you add a custom file extension, Duplicate File Finder includes that file type when searching for duplicate files in the location you select. You can add multiple file extensions based on the types of files you want to check.

To add a custom file extension:

1. Open Quick Heal Total Security.
2. Go to Performance > PC Tuner > Duplicate File Finder.
3. Click the Settings icon.
4. Under Duplicate Category Type, select Custom Extensions.
5. Click Add Custom Extensions.
6. Enter the file extension you want to add.
7. Click Save.

The extension you add is displayed under Custom Extensions. You can add more extensions if you want Duplicate File Finder to search for additional file types.

Search for Duplicate Files

After adding the required file extensions, select the location where you want to search for duplicate files and start the scan.

Duplicate File Finder searches the selected location for duplicate files that match the file extensions you have added. The results show the duplicate files found during the scan, along with details such as the file name, file path, and file size.

Example

Suppose you want to find duplicate files of a file type that is not included in the existing list. You can add that file extension under Custom Extensions. When you run Duplicate File Finder, files with the added extension are included in the search.

You can add multiple custom file extensions if you want to search for duplicate files of different file types.

Important

During a Duplicate File Finder scan, the following critical locations are skipped:

• Program Files
• Program Files (x86)
• Windows folder

This helps prevent Duplicate File Finder from scanning these critical system locations.

Deleting Duplicate Files

To find and delete duplicate files, follow these steps:

1. Open Quick Heal Total Security.
2. Navigate to Performance > PC Tuner > Duplicate File Finder.
3. To customize the Duplicate File Finder settings, click the Settings (⚙) icon.
   The Duplicate File Finder Settings screen appears.
4. Under Please select a duplicate category type, select the file categories that you want to scan. Deselect the categories that you do not want to include in the scan.
5. Under Exclude folder(s), add the folders that you want Duplicate File Finder to skip during the scan.
6. Click Add Folder to add folders that you want Duplicate File Finder to skip during the scan. To select or deselect all folders, select or deselect the Select All checkbox available above the list of folders. You can also select or deselect individual folders as required. To remove selected folders, click Remove.
7. Use Secure Delete is enabled by default, and the One Pass Random – Quick Data Destruction deletion method is selected. You can select a different deletion method if required.
   The following deletion methods are available:
   • One Pass Random – Quick Data Destruction – One Pass Random deletion uses random letters to overwrite the data. This method of deletion is quick and quite secure. Data deleted once cannot be recovered. This is the default file deletion method.
   • Two Pass – More Secure Destruction – Two Pass deletion method uses the number of random letters to overwrite the data. This method of deletion provides an additional layer of security. Data once deleted cannot be recovered by any recovery software.
   • DoD – Standard Data Destruction – DoD deletion method uses the encryption method of using random letters to overwrite data as per the Department of Defense Memo. Data once deleted cannot be recovered by any recovery software.
8. Click Save to save the settings or Back to exit without saving the changes.
9. Click Search Path to select the location that you want to scan.
   The Browse for Folder window appears.
10. Browse to the required folder. Select Exclude Subfolders if you do not want to include subfolders in the scan. By default, this option is not selected.
11. Click Add to add the selected path to the search list. To select or deselect all paths, select or deselect the Select All checkbox available above the list of paths. You can also select or deselect individual paths as required. To remove selected paths, click Remove.
12. Click Find Duplicates.
13. After the scan is complete, the duplicate files are displayed in groups. The duplicate files are listed under the corresponding Original File. The following information is also displayed:
    • Search Progress – Displays the progress of the scan.
    • Folders Scanned – Displays the number of folders scanned.
    • Files Scanned – Displays the number of files scanned.
    • Duplicates Found – Displays the number of duplicate files found.
    • Total Space Occupied – Displays the total space occupied by duplicate files.
14. To delete a file, select the checkbox next to the Original File or the duplicate file that you want to remove. You can select the original file, one or more duplicate files, or multiple files from different groups.
15. Click Delete.
16. In the Delete Selected Files confirmation dialog box, review the number of files selected for deletion.
    • If an original file is selected, the Original files selected message appears.
    • The dialog box informs you that deleting the selected files will permanently remove them from your system.
17. Click Yes to permanently delete the selected files, or click No to cancel the deletion.
18. After the files are successfully deleted, a confirmation message displays the amount of disk space cleaned.
19. Click Back to exit the Duplicate File Finder screen.