📖 How to Use FileVoodoo

Complete visual guide to mastering all features of FileVoodoo v1.2

Getting Started

Installation

1 Download FileVoodoo from filevoodoo.net
2 Extract the ZIP file to your desired location
3 Run FileVoodoo.exe - no installation needed!
💡 Tip:
You can run FileVoodoo from any folder - it doesn't require installation or administrator access (though some features benefit from elevated privileges).

Tab 1: 📋 Duplicate Manager

Find and remove duplicate files to free up disk space and keep your system organized.

Duplicate Manager Tab

How to Use:

1 Click "Browse" to select a folder to scan
2 Choose detection mode (Scan Only or Move Duplicates)
3 Set output and duplicate destination folders
4 Click "Start" and wait for the scan to complete
Key Features:
  • SHA256 hash-based detection for 100% accuracy
  • Parallel processing for fast scanning
  • Advanced options for fine-tuned control

Tab 2: 📦 File Batcher

Organize files into categorized batches automatically.

File Batcher Tab

How to Use:

1 Select the folder containing files to organize
2 Set destination folder for batches
3 Configure file types and category prefixes
4 Click "Start" and watch your files organize!
💡 Tip:
Check the "Images", "Videos", "Documents" categories that are pre-configured for common file types. Customize prefixes (A, B, C, etc.) for your needs.

Tab 3: 🔍 Search & Find

Powerful file searching with regex support and content search.

Search & Find Tab

How to Use:

1 Select search folder with "Browse"
2 Enter search text (e.g., "backup", "test", "report")
3 Configure search options (case sensitive, regex, etc.)
4 Click "Search" to find matching files
Search Options:
  • Case Sensitive: Match exact case
  • Match Whole Word Only: Find exact words
  • Use Regular Expression: Advanced pattern matching
  • File Type Filter: Limit search to specific extensions

Tab 4: 🔐 Metadata Scrubber

Remove sensitive information from your files to protect your privacy.

Metadata Scrubber Tab

How to Use:

1 Choose "Scrub Single File" or "Scrub All Files in Folder"
2 Select files/folder with "Browse"
3 Check metadata types to remove (Author, GPS, Comments, etc.)
4 Click "Start Scrubbing" - your metadata is now removed!
🔒 Privacy Tip:
Removes EXIF data from photos, document properties, GPS coordinates, and timestamps to protect your privacy before sharing files.

Tab 5: 🔄 File Recovery

Recover deleted files using quick recovery or deep disk scanning.

File Recovery Tab

Quick Recovery (Fast):

1 Check "Recycle Bin", "Shadow Copies", or "Recent Activity"
2 Select drive and click "Scan"
3 Select files and click "Recover Selected"

Deep Recovery (Thorough):

1 Check "Scan for Deleted Files" for signature-based recovery
2 Select drive and file types to recover
3 Enable "Scan subfolders recursively" to search everywhere
4 Click "Scan" and wait for results
Recovery Success Rates:
  • Just deleted (< 1 day): 80-95%
  • Recycle Bin emptied (< 1 week): 60-80%
  • Old deletion (1+ weeks): 40-60%
💡 Tip:
The sooner you recover a file after deletion, the higher your success rate. Stop using the disk immediately after accidental deletion!

Tab 6: 🔎 Forensic Finder

Advanced file discovery using fuzzy search criteria and intelligent algorithms.

Forensic Finder Tab

How to Use:

1 Enter file name/keywords to search
2 Choose time criteria (Last Week, Last Month, Custom, etc.)
3 Select file types (Images, Documents, Media, Archives, Executables)
4 Click "Find" to discover matching files
Time Period Options:
  • Fuzzy periods: Last Week, Last Month, Last 3/6 Months, This Year
  • Relative time: Custom hours, minutes, seconds ago
  • Exact date range: Specify exact From/To dates
  • Weekend files: Files modified on Sat/Sun only
💡 Tip:
Perfect for finding files you worked on recently but can't locate! Use time filters to narrow down your search.

⭐ Best Practices

Before Recovering Deleted Files:

Before Removing Duplicates:

Privacy Protection:

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is FileVoodoo safe to use?

A: Yes! FileVoodoo is 100% safe, open source, and has no malware. It's released under GNU GPLv3.

Q: Can I recover permanently deleted files?

A: Yes, using the Deep Recovery signature-based scanning. Success depends on how long ago the file was deleted and disk usage since deletion.

Q: Does FileVoodoo require administrator rights?

A: Not for basic operations. However, some features (especially file recovery) perform better with elevated privileges.

Q: How long does a deep recovery scan take?

A: It depends on your drive size - typically 30 minutes to 16 hours for a full drive scan.

Q: Can I interrupt a scan?

A: Yes! All operations have a Cancel button. You can pause and resume scans.