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Duplicate Files Search & Link
What it is
Duplicate Files Search & Link is a free Windows utility for locating duplicate files through byte-by-byte content comparison, even when filenames differ. It can scan local drives and folders, network folders, ZIP archives, multiple physical drives, or multiple files on one SSD. For audio, video, and JPG files, it can identify identical media content while ignoring metadata and media-tag differences. After finding matches, the application can replace duplicates with hard or symbolic links. It also provides duplicate visualization, filtering, sorting, file previews, Recycle Bin support, and handling for paths longer than 260 characters. An option in version 10.8.1 skips online-only files in OneDrive, Google Drive, Yandex Disk, and other cloud services. Downloads include standalone and installer packages for Windows 7 through 11, with .NET Framework 4.8 or .NET Desktop Runtime options. Version 5.3.0 is listed for Windows XP. The maker offers the software free for non-commercial use and invites donations.
For and against
For
- Byte-by-byte duplicate comparison
- Scans drives, folders, networks, and ZIP archives
- Can replace duplicates with hard or symbolic links
- Supports long paths and file previews
- Skips online-only cloud files when enabled
Against
- Free use is limited to non-commercial use
- Windows-only platform
- Digital certificate signature was removed in version 10.8.1
- Cloud skipping applies to online-only files
The verdict
Duplicate Files Search & Link combines detailed matching methods with link replacement and broad scan locations. Windows users should note the non-commercial license and the changed certificate signature in version 10.8.1.
Who it suits
This utility suits Windows users organizing local, network, archived, or multi-drive storage. It is especially relevant when duplicates have different names or media metadata.
Plans and prices
Free for non-commercial use
Non-commercial use
Read 9 Oct 2026 · malich.ru
On the record
- Cloud files
- Version 10.8.1 added an option to skip online-only files stored in OneDrive, Google Drive, Yandex Disk, and other cloud services during scans.malich.ru · read 9 Oct 2026
- Code signature
- The changelog says the digital certificate signature was removed in version 10.8.1.malich.ru · read 9 Oct 2026
- Donation
- The maker invites donations to support development and keep the application free, suggesting $5 or €5 while accepting any amount.malich.ru · read 9 Oct 2026
- Downloads
- The download page lists standalone and installer packages for Windows 7, 8, 8.1, 10, and 11, with .NET Framework 4.8 or .NET Desktop Runtime options.malich.ru · read 9 Oct 2026
- Fast scanning
- The search engine can scan multiple independent drives at once or multiple files on the same SSD.malich.ru · read 9 Oct 2026
- File management
- Includes duplicate visualization, filtering and sorting, and support for paths longer than 260 characters.malich.ru · read 9 Oct 2026
- Legacy support
- The page lists version 5.3.0 as the latest version for Windows XP, released May 2, 2023.malich.ru · read 9 Oct 2026
- Link support
- Supports identifying and replacing files with hard or symbolic links; the page also describes link support for Linux EXT2, EXT3, and EXT4 partitions mounted through the Ext2Fsd Windows driver.malich.ru · read 9 Oct 2026
- Media matching
- Can identify audio, video, and JPG files with identical media content despite differences in metadata or media tags.malich.ru · read 9 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Searches for duplicate files by byte-by-byte content comparison, regardless of filename, and can replace duplicates with hard or symbolic links.malich.ru · read 9 Oct 2026
- Security checks
- The maker says the downloads were checked with Kaspersky Internet Security 2020 and links to VirusTotal results, noting false positives are possible.malich.ru · read 9 Oct 2026
