Have you been using Duplicate Cleaner and you can't find files you think should be there, or you fear you have deleted something you shouldn't have? This FAQ is for you.
Duplicate Cleaner is a great tool for removing files and sorting your hard drive. It has many built in protections to prevent data loss. It will warn you if you try and delete all copies of a file (i.e. every file in a Duplicate Group), and tries to protect system and other important files.
Did you back-up first?
Like with all good tools you need to exercise caution. We always recommend backing up first. It's always a good practice for any project involving moving or removing your files. If you have backed up then you always have the option of restoring your files as they were before you started.
My Windows isn't working correctly after removing files?
Never remove Windows system files. Never remove a file if you don't know what it is for. Duplicate Cleaner will usually skip your system folder or set it as 'Protected'. If you have removed system files then the Windows System Restore may be able to help fix things up. Note that the System Restore can't help recover personal documents.
I removed one file in each group and now my Duplicate Cleaner file list is blank? Where are the files?
Don't worry! If a duplicate group in Duplicate Cleaner only has one file left in it after deletion then the remaining file will be hidden (in the list) automatically. You can change this behaviour though the 'Automatically hide single file duplicate groups' option in the Options drop-down menu. The files are still on disk.
Drive Showing up blank?
If a USB or network drive is not displaying any files, it can be caused by a temporary network problem or connection issue. Try disconnecting and reconnecting the drive, or a system reboot.
Files are missing on disk - I'm sure I didn't delete them?
Duplicate Cleaner will only remove files that are checkmarked in the main list. It doesn't automatically remove files, and doesn't delete entire folders unless empty. If in doubt you can try the next step - Check the Log file.
Check the Log file!
Duplicate Cleaner automatically generates a log file which details each scan and every file and folder removed or moved. You can use this to check what has been removed, as well as the scan history. The log file is located in your Documents folder, and is called "Duplicate Cleaner log.txt".
If you identify files in the log that you don't think you should have removed you can try and restore them via the Windows Recycler.
Getting files back from the Recycler.
Duplicate Cleaner deletes to the Windows Recycle bin by default. Note that not all drives will have a recycle bin! Network drives don't usually, and some USB drives are missing the feature as well.
To restore from the Recycle Bin, click on the Recycler icon on the desktop to view the files. These can then be selected and restored from the toolbar at the top. You can also 'Restore all items' as well.
File not in the Recycler - permanently deleted?
If you've deleted a file, bypassed the recycle bin and haven't got a backup, there is a final option. It is possible to undelete files in Windows, though you'll usually need third party software.
Here's a great guide to recovering deleted files on the How-to Geek website.