add option to ignore file sizes and use artist name & title only

[JAK]

i am comparing a large number of music files, between 2 hard drives however many are showing as not duplicates as the file sizes are different.

really had thought there would be an option to ignore file sizes and use artist name & title only.

is this possible or could it be added as a feature in the future

thanks

[xCSxXenon]

well two files with different size cannot be duplicates by nature. Why not sync it so tags are identical??

[JAK]

They show as different because the file sizes are different
Want to only show only if file names are different! not sizes

[kriebie]

So effectively you only want to duplicate new files...
I suppose that a custom sync with only the appropriate 'Create' option(s) should do the job. Although that would (probably?) not hide 'equal' files from the comparison list. You could still sort the list by proposed sync type after the comparison (I think, can't try atm).

[JAK]

I don't want to duplicate or sync, just view files that are different by filename only not Size..

[HeinzB]

A quick note on the matter itself: FreeFileSync currently offers three comparison modes – file size, date and size, and file content (binary). There is no native ‘file name only’ mode.
However, here’s a workaround that works:
Select the “File size” comparison method → files with the same name but different sizes will then appear as “left/right different” (not as missing) — this is exactly the view you’re looking for
Then, in the results, filter by category “≠” (different) → you will see all pairs with the same name but differing sizes
Leave the sync direction set to “no action” → nothing will be changed
This covers your use case quite well without the need for a new feature.

[JAK]

I don't want to see all pairs with the same name at all .... I want to only see files that are present on one side only....

e.g.
On the left side is the Beatles let it be 7mb
In the right is the Beatles let it be 6mb

So as the Beatles let it be is present on both sides I need this to be hidden... Presently it shows these as different as the file sizes are different. The panels are almost fully populated with 'different' files, but they are only different because if the file sizes, which are different, so I don't want to see all these...

An action saying show comparisons by fiks names only and ignore fike' sizes would be perfect.

Trying to see if WinMerge will do what I need
Thanks

[HeinzB]

Thank you for the clarification — that makes the requirement much clearer.

Unfortunately, FreeFileSync does not support filename-only matching at the moment. Any two files with the same name but different sizes will always be treated as "different" (≠), not as "present on both sides". There is currently no way to suppress those pairs from the view.

Regarding WinMerge: it has the same limitation for folder comparison — it also relies on size and/or content, not filename alone.

A practical workaround would be a small PowerShell script:

$left = Get-ChildItem "D:\Music\Left" | Select-Object -ExpandProperty Name
$right = Get-ChildItem "D:\Music\Right" | Select-Object -ExpandProperty Name

"Only on LEFT:"
Compare-Object $left $right | Where-Object SideIndicator -eq "<=" | Select-Object InputObject

"Only on RIGHT:"
Compare-Object $left $right | Where-Object SideIndicator -eq "=>" | Select-Object InputObject

This compares purely by filename, ignores file size entirely, and lists only the files that exist on one side only — which is exactly what you are looking for.

As for FreeFileSync: this could be a useful feature request for the developer (Zenju). A "match by filename only" comparison mode, combined with a filter to show only left-only / right-only results, would be a clean solution for use cases like yours.

Or try totalcommander
In “Synchronise Directories” (Commands → Synchronize Dirs), the comparison criteria include the option to ignore size and/or date. If you select only the file name as a criterion (with size and date deselected), two files with the same name will be treated as “identical” – regardless of their size.
The result: The view then shows only files that exist on one side only – exactly what the user is looking for.
Specifically:
Commands → Synchronize Dirs
Enter the left and right folders
Under “Compare by” → leave only Name selected (deactivate Size and Date)
Click “Compare” → only genuine unique files are displayed

[xCSxXenon]

Ultimately FFS is a syncing program and you don't want to perform any syncing

[JAK]

So why shouldn't I be able to use it for what I need....
Compare advance does exactly what I need...

[JAK]

HeinzB how can I suggest this to (Zenju)

[therube]

WinMerge, set View to, 'Show Left Unique Items' & 'Show Right Unique Items', I'd think would do it.
(Now, the actual layout isn't too understandable [to me], but the data should be there.)

[JAK]

Will try thanks