What is DuplicateFinder
DuplicateFinder is a simple Windows utility that can scan your computer, looking for duplicate files. Even if the files have been renamed, DuplicateFinder can still identify them.
![DuplicateFinder](http://shanegowland.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2011/11/DuplicateFinder.png)
Scanning modes
“Global” mode
Global mode compares every single file in the specified location, searching for any identical files.
“Specific” mode
Specific mode scans the selected folder; searching only for files that match a user-defined file. A dialog box opens at the beginning of the scan where the user can select a file to search for.
“MD5 Checksum” mode
DuplicateFinder will search for files that match a user-defined MD5 checksum.
![DuplicateFinder](http://shanegowland.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2011/11/selectfile.png)
How does it work?
DuplicateFinder works by generating a “fingerprint” (created using an MD5 checksum algorithm) for each file it encounters while scanning the filesystem. In “global mode,” each fingerprint is added to a large index of fingerprints created in the computers memory. If the fingerprint matches a pre-existing entry in the index, the files are considered “identical,” as they (theoretically) contain exactly the same data. In “specific” and “MD5” mode, each file is compared against the pre-defined fingerprint to establish if they match.
Future Plans
Depending on the initial feedback here, this tool may eventually be improved and released as a product on SingularLabs. Future features could include support for additional hashing algorithms and the option to ignore certain files/folders.
Download
![](http://content.thewebatom.net/images/download.png)
Requires Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 or newer. Supports Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7 (x32/x64)