organizing/consolidating files

[karl]

is there a way to delete duplicate files without going thru one by one.
like i have a bunch of photos and i know some are duplicates, how do i get rid of the duplicates?

[socalrally]

You don't say, but I'm assuming the duplicate photos have the same filenames.

Assuming:
Folder A = X (original file set 1) + Z (duplicates)
Folder B = Y (original file set 2) + Z (duplicates)

1. Make a copy of Folder A = Folder C
=> Folder C = X + Z (same as A)

2. Copy Folder B to Folder C too.
=> Folder C = X + Y + Z (now includes Y = original file set 2 as well since you've copied Folder B to it too now)
When it prompts you whether to Overwrite the files or not (Yes to All / No to all), it doesn't matter what you choose, you'll either get the duplicates from Folder A or the duplicates from Folder B, but since they're duplicates it doesn't matter which folder they come from.

3. Once you've confirmed Folder C contains both separate original file sets 1 and 2, and also all the duplicates, you can delete Folders A and B if you want, and just keep Folder C as your master set.

[karl]

okay, that makes sense. thanks!!