Updates 3/26/13 - CCleaner 4.0

Hi Ky331, and thank you.

I was waiting to try the new Duplicate File Finder tool. Hmmm.... I do not know what to think of it. Although well presented, the files I mean, it is a dangerous tool for someone without the know how. I scanned my sys with the default settings and it found several duplicates; However, none leftovers. Most were from my restore folder and others that are needed for the same program. I imagine that anyone not knowing what he is doing is going to get in trouble real fast with this tool.

Regards.

Hernan,

You've brought up an important point, which indeed should be discussed and emphasized.

I ran the Duplicate File Finder tool quickly, noticed it found "a lot", and then "walked away" from it.

In theory, it had potential to be a good idea:   people often forget where they've downloaded or stored a copy of a file, and so they wind up downloading/creating multiple copies, in different subdirectories, creating "clutter".    But as you pointed out:

1) In most cases for me, the duplicates consisted of the "real" file (in its appropriate location), and a "backup" copy "in storage", which could be used for reinstallation [in case the "real" file was accidentally deleted... or became corrupted].   But there was no elaboration/explanation of this... so if someone were "unaware" and/or "aggressive", all these would have been deleted had they proceeded beyond merely scanning!   Definitely NOT something anyone would want to do!!

2) In several cases for me, multiple copies were indeed installed by programs in separate directories, each of which may need "local" access to that file.   Removing these could cripple the program trying to access THAT copy.

In fact, by simply adding 5 subdirectories to the exclusions list, the duplications dropped from HUNDREDS of files to merely 3!   [The 5 directories included the "backup-files" area, and for programs from Intel, NVIDIA, Corel (DVD), and EverNote.]

In conclusion, I'd concur this is a "feature" which can prove more troublesome than it's worth.    For those who decide to use it, PROCEED WITH EXTREME CAUTION!

P.S.   Even if carefully used just for user-created files [rather than system/program files], then, since such files tend to be rather small, the practical benefit [i.e., how much space can be reclaimed relative to the size of today's massive drives] seems almost moot.

I agree:

Given the size of hard drives these days, having duplicate files is unlikely to impact on system storage needs. I can't think of any other reason to delete these files.

For those who waited, the SLIM build is now available.