FileFusion

FileFusion is a utility for Windows systems that locates and merges duplicate files on NTFS drives. The employed technology creates hard links, maintaining a single real file and freeing up storage space. Users receive a detailed report on the recovered space and the number of merged files. The process generates a unique digital fingerprint for each file, allowing duplicates to be identified even with different names.

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• Digital fingerprint analysis. FileFusion examines all files on the hard drive and calculates a unique digital fingerprint for each one. This method identifies identical files at the content level, regardless of their name or location in the file system.
• Merging via hard links. When locating duplicate files, the program keeps a single physical copy on the disk. For the other instances, it creates hard links within the NTFS system that point to the original file, eliminating data redundancy.
• Detailed result reports. After completing the process, FileFusion presents a comprehensive report. This document shows the total amount of storage space freed, the number of files merged, and a breakdown of the actions performed.
• Data handling safety. The system maintains data integrity. Deleting a link does not affect the original physical file. Only when all references are deleted is the file permanently removed from the disk.
• Behavior upon modifications. If a user modifies a linked file, FileFusion automatically breaks the link. The edited version is saved as a new, independent file, preserving the original shared copy.
• Three-stage deduplication process. The operation follows a structured sequence: initial disk analysis, digital fingerprint comparison, and a final merging phase through link creation. Each stage is automated.
• Background execution. The software operates without constant user intervention. Once activated, it performs the analysis and merging of duplicates autonomously, without interrupting other system tasks.
• NTFS system compatibility. The tool is developed to work with drives formatted in the NTFS file system. It is compatible with all versions of Windows from Windows 7 onwards.
• Manual duplicate review. It offers the option to display a list of detected duplicate files. The user can review this selection and manually decide which ones should be processed by the merging algorithm.
• Storage space recovery. The program's main objective is to reclaim disk space. By eliminating redundant copies of files, it can free up to 71% additional space on drives already cleaned with conventional methods.
• System file management. It identifies and merges duplicates generated by the Windows operating system itself and by applications, including DLL libraries, configuration files, and shared resources.
• Link persistence after uninstallation. The hard links created by FileFusion are a feature of the NTFS file system. These links remain active and functional even if the FileFusion program is uninstalled from the computer.

FileFusion is developed by Abelssoft, a German software company founded by programmer Andreas Abels. The program was created in 2017 and is written primarily in the C++ programming language, leveraging low-level Windows APIs for managing hard links on the NTFS file system. The core technology, named FileFusion Technology, was patented by the company for its three-stage deduplication process.

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