Finder sometimes prompting to Skip duplicate-named files, sometimes Keep Both

[mafocari]

I'm trying to clean up some folders where some duplicate files were made or copied to, so I'm moving from the folder (and its sub-folders) I want to delete to the folder (and sub-folders) I want to keep.

Sometimes, apparently based on the files or some other factor I'm unaware of, Finder prompts with "Skip, Stop, or Replace" buttons, but sometimes it's "Keep Both, Stop, or Replace".

I'm not seeing why there's a difference. I understand what "Skip" and "Keep Both" mean and do, but I'm not understanding why it's one or the other.

Can you explain the logic on this?

 

[Lifeisabeach]

I did some brief experimenting, and I only get the "Skip" option when there are greater than a certain number of duplicates to be moved. It looks like that when you have up to 4 duplicates, you get the "Keep Both" option. Five or more, you get the "Skip" option. I couldn't tell you WHY this logic is in place, but that appears to be the trigger.

 

[mafocari]

OMG this is weird logic. I mean, UIs are supposed to be intuitive and easy and maximally practical, not weird guesswork like this

Anyway, I don't know why macOS doesn't have a Merge option like Windows does. Maybe Microsoft patented that?! I consider that anti-competitive.

I don't even know that Mac needs a specific Merge option, there's other ways to have it behave intelligently, including having an option to see file comparison when they're the same name but different content or dates.

 

[MacInWin]

Not that you care, but "keep both" is the merge option.

 

[mafocari]

Keep both is not the merge option It makes copies of the files... you're really not good at this.

Please stay out of my threads, MacInWin.

You've misunderstood multiple issues, sidetracked into unnecessary things, I've had to explain some basic computer usage to you, and now you're just provably wrong.

Please take a break and stop bothering me with problematic posts in my threads.

I'm considering you following me around on my threads from now on to be targeted harassment.

Please just stop.

 

[chscag]

@mafocari:

Please tone down your replies. Take it to a personal message if you wish, but keep it out of public view. Thanks.

 

[Lifeisabeach]

Keep both is not the merge option It makes copies of the files...

No, he's correct. At least if it's on the same volume. "Keep both" will copy the file to the new location; add "copy" to the file name; then delete the original. I just tried it to confirm.

Now if you are going to another volume (external drive, for example), then yes, it will only copy by default. You'll see a green + icon on the cursor as you drag. The way around that is to hold down the COMMAND key to force a move.

It sounds like you are better off using a 3rd party utility to move/merge these files. There are a couple intelligent ones as you mentioned. Tidy Up is one I've used in the past and is quite excellent.

 

[ferrarr]

When you don't provide all the information, we are not to blame. Only you see everything you do, we don't.

You're still thinking in terms of winOS, please stop that or you'll never understand macOS.