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Only delete duplicates of files in folder x:\ found elsewhere

Posted: Sat Mar 29, 2025 8:38 am
by dcwul62
Two folders:
X:\Folder1
Y:\Folder2

both folder1 and folder2 with sub folders.

Talking about many files (60,000 or so).

Folder1 has files with duplicates elsewhere in folder2.
The files in folder1 should not be touched. However, the duplicates of the files in folder1 that are found in folder2, should be deleted.

However... folder2 may also have duplicates of OTHER files (i.e. other files than those of in folder1).
Those should remain in place, I will do that separately.

Example:
Folder1\sub folder\sub subf folder: SomePDF123.pdf
Folder2\sub folder: SomePDF123.pdf <-to be deleted
Folder2\sub folder\sub folder: otherduplicate.txt
Folder2\sub folder: otherduplicate.txt <- this will be done separately

So, first only delete duplicates found in folder2, being the duplicates of files in folder1
(folder1 should remain untouched).

How to proceed?

Thanks!
SnagIt-29032025 063404.png

Re: Only delete duplicates of files in folder x:\ found elsewhere

Posted: Sat Mar 29, 2025 9:45 am
by DigitalVolcano
Set Folder 1 to "Protected" and "Find Duplicates->Master"
The Protected will stop you making files in Folder 1. The Master setting means that only files which duplicate this folder will be matched in other folders.

You can set Folder 2 to 'Find Duplicates->External only" though it shouldn't make a difference as long a Folder 1 is set to 'Master'

Re: Only delete duplicates of files in folder x:\ found elsewhere

Posted: Sat Mar 29, 2025 10:22 am
by dcwul62
Thank you very much indeed!

I'll give it a try later.

Initially I messed up things: folder1 untouched, but folder 2 all duplicates are deleted, but that was not correct of course.
So I am restoring folder2, from a backup.
Takes a while ...

Re: Only delete duplicates of files in folder x:\ found elsewhere

Posted: Sat Mar 29, 2025 11:03 am
by DigitalVolcano
Update: Actually try setting Folder 1 to External Only+Master - this will stop it finding duplicates that are within folder 1 only, giving you less files to sort through.

Re: Only delete duplicates of files in folder x:\ found elsewhere

Posted: Sat Mar 29, 2025 3:47 pm
by dcwul62
Thanks - well, actually I went on to do the first suggestion.
I believe that went fine, but am still busy with it.
(Something else came up, so I'll finish it tomorrow)

Re: Only delete duplicates of files in folder x:\ found elsewhere

Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2025 12:35 pm
by dcwul62
Just to say thanks again.

Things worked out just fine!
Frankly, I wouldn't have figured this out myself.

Best regards and keep up the good work.