Categorize and Filter Duplicate Files

DupScout allows one to categorize detected duplicate files by the file extension, file type, size, user name, last assess time, last modification time and file creation time. After finishing scanning the specified disks or directories, DupScout performs automatic file categorization and fills the list of detected file categories, which is located just under the list of the duplicate file sets in the main GUI application.

By default, DupScout categorizes all files by the file extension and shows a list of all types of detected file extensions sorted by the amount of used disk space. For each category, DupScout shows the number of files, the amount of used disk space and the percentage of the used disk space relative to other file categories. Use the 'Categories' combo box to categorize files by the file type, last access time, last modification time or creation time.

One of the most useful features of DupScout is the ability to browse duplicates by one or more specific file categories using file filters. For example, in order to see all files that were accessed 2-3 months ago, select the access time-based file categorization mode and double-click on the 'Files Last Accessed 2-3 Months Ago' file category. DupScout will filter the currently displayed list of duplicates and show all sets that were accessed 2-3 months ago.

When a file filter is active, DupScout will save reports and select duplicate files removal actions for filtered files only. For example, in order to delete all duplicate images and compress all duplicate documents, categorize duplicate files by the file type, filter all types of image files and select the 'Delete Duplicate Files' removal action. Now, filter all types of document files and select the 'Compress Duplicate Files' removal action.

Custom File Categories and File Filters

In addition to the built-in file filters, DupScout provides the ability to pre-configure one or more custom file filters according to user-specific needs and requirements. In order to add a custom file filter, select the custom file filters view, press the right mouse button over the filters view and select the 'Edit Custom Filters' menu item.

In order to add a new custom file filter, press the 'Add' button, enter a unique filter name and configure one or more file matching rules specifying which types or groups of files to display. In order to edit a custom file filter, select the filter in the custom file filters dialog and press the 'Edit' button.

Once finished configuring custom file filters, close the filters dialog and DupScout will analyze the currently displayed duplicate files and show the list of user-specified custom file filters sorted by the amount of data and the number of duplicate files matching the specified file filters. In order to filter the currently displayed duplicate files by one or more custom file filters, select the required custom file filters in the filters view, press the right mouse button and select the 'Apply Selected Filters' menu item. DupScout will apply the selected custom file filters and display duplicate files matching the selected file filters.