USER LEVEL: INTERMEDIATE
Problem: you want to save space by getting rid of duplicate files or you have problems with windows or a program crashing and you suspect duplicate dlls or old versions of the same dll library in your program path or search path. Searching for duplicate dll files with find it's hard to sort them out.
SOLUTION:
I use this utility called FindDuplicates to find duplicate files, mainly duplicate dll files.
Remember, even though they are duplicate dll files doesn't mean they are the same file. Removing duplicate dll files from you path or program directory can cause problems if you are not careful. This is how I do it.
[ If you do not feel comfortable doing this, then you should not use this program! ]
Set your options and search for *.dll on multiple drives...
Examine the file, type, date, company, original filename, etc. right inside the program.
If I find a duplicate files in \windows\system and \windows\system32 then it's probably safe to delete one of them since both are in your path. I rename the old one in system with a .OLD extension, and leave the one in sytem32.
Ok, now if I find duplicate dlls -- one in a program's install directory and one my path (system or system 32 or windows) then I rename the one in the program's directory to a .OLD extension. Then I test the program to make sure it work ok. Next, I can now safely remove the dll I renamed.
What happens is when a programs installer runs, it may or may not search all your paths for the dll. Say it searches in the \windows directory but doesn't search in \windows\system...it thinks you don't have the file so it installs another copy of the same dll same version in the programs install directory. This may or may not be the same version or the same dll. You need a tool so you can analyze the files and see...
This one works pretty good and was built with delphi.
http://www.david-taylor.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/software/disk.html#FindDuplicates
You will also need the Delphi 4 runtime files if you don't already have them. Just unzip them and put it somewhere in your path \Windows\system or \WINNT\System32\ works fine. Put the exe anywhere you like.
This sure beats the heck out of Windows Find applet!
Jay
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