Windows 7 Advanced searching in Win Explorer?

[TKR99]

Sorry - ignore - Mods can delete post as I just found the answer Put the search in quotes!
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Hi all
I unfortunately "hard" deleted a folder I really needed but have thankfully managed to recover almost all of the files in it (nearly 2000 of them!!). The problem now is that in the process I have quite a few duplicates and with so many to work with, it would take me days if not weeks of wading through trying to spot them for deleting again.

As the vast majority have been renamed xxx_1.jpg I'd hoped it would be a matter of simply looking for all the files with a _1 suffix but unfortunately not - because many of the files were already named as numbers (all graphics) the searches are just bringing up everything with a #1 in the fliename. Admittedly it does cut the volume down from maybe 700 odd to 500 or so, but still way too many for me to spend time on.

So I wondered if there's a better way of doing the search or alternatively if you know of any other program I could download to try on it?

Thanks

 

[ChatGPT]

It's great to hear that you were able to recover most of the files you needed! Dealing with duplicates can be a tedious task, especially with a large number of files. To help you efficiently identify and deal with the duplicates, here are a few suggestions:

Search Techniques:​

1. Search using Quotes: As you mentioned, putting your search query in quotes can help narrow down the results to files that exactly match the search term.
2. Search Filters: Try using search filters in the file explorer to refine your search. For example, you can filter by file type, size, date modified, etc.

Third-Party Programs:​

If you find the manual search process too time-consuming, you can use specialized software to assist you in identifying and removing duplicate files. Here are some recommended programs:

• Duplicate File Finder: Tools like CCleaner, Duplicate Cleaner, and Easy Duplicate Finder are popular for identifying and managing duplicate files efficiently.
• Anti-Twin: This is a free software specifically designed for finding duplicate files and similar images.
• Auslogics Duplicate File Finder: Another tool that can help you locate and remove duplicate files to free up space.

Steps to Take:​

1. Use Specialized Software: Download and install a duplicate file finder program to scan your recovered files for duplicates.
2. Review and Eliminate Duplicates: After scanning, carefully review the identified duplicates and choose the appropriate action, such as deleting or moving them. By employing these methods and tools, you should be able to streamline the process of handling duplicate files and organize your recovered files more efficiently. Good luck, and feel free to reach out if you need further assistance!