DFK: Duplicate File Killer

Having to work with an abundance of similar file types has a high chance of creating duplicates in different locations of your computer. After some time these can end up taking a considerable amount of disk space, but you can use specialized applications like DFK: Duplicate File Killer to find and remove them from your computer.

With setup done before you realize, the application is good to go shortly after download is done. The main window shows up on launch, holding a browser menu to select the scan location, as well as easy access to general functions.

Unfortunately, it becomes pretty difficult to reach a location especially on the desktop, because the browse dialog isn’t fitted with quick links to common places, but only lets you navigate from the root of detected drives, either fixed or removable. There’s is no alternative way to select folders to scan for duplicates.

Before scanning the selected folder, the application lets you configure exceptions list. This is done in a separate window split into two sections, one for file names, and one for extensions. You’re free to fill in either one, depending on the files you’re looking for. Note that filters are discarded when the application closes.

The application first creates an index of the specified location, showing the total number of files and folders to scan. Only when this operation is done can you commence duplicate file hunting. Sadly, indexes can’t be saved, so the scan process is performed for each operation.

Results are shown in a new window. Duplicates are automatically selected, leaving the original untouched. Relevant info is shown in the table structure, such as file name and path. You’re free to select only those files you want to remove, but there’s no preview option and interacting with files on the list has no effect.

Taking everything into consideration, we can state that DFK: Duplicate File Killer is sure to identify duplicate files in a specific folder and all its subdirectories. Even though the whole operation feels a little rough around the edges, you’re sure to free up some disk space, or at least remove extra files you no longer use.