Two folders with identical (i.e., duplicate) names

Had the same situation. Wasn't a huge problem for me, I just deleted one of the directories from Explorer (one was empty).

What I noticed, though, was that when using dir /X from the command prompt, the directory names *were* different, namely D:\logs\WWWMYS~1 and D:\logs\WWWMYS~2. You can probably use one of the names with robocopy if you need to target one of the directories specifically.

HTH, Matthijs

Windows Explorer has it's own organisation different to the file system.

Users are to interact with Windows Explorer's view of the world. The file system is for the implementation details, and change from version to version.

Similar issue: 

I had two folders with the same name in my Documents folder. They were shown in Windows Explorer only. CMD DIR reported only a single folder. 

It was possible because two folders had different full paths: 

C:\Users\user\Documents\Example 

C:\Users\Public\Documents\Example 

For some reason in Explorer they were shown together at Libraries\Documents.

I WANT THIS FIXED REAL BAD.....lol

Ok I have looked at this a bit more now and there is hope in sight....

WARNING: This is like open heart surgery on your hard drive. I strongly recommend you try this on an a sacrificial hard drive by using this method to first create a duplicate MFT record, then prove that it is a duplicate in Windows, then fix the change again repeating the same method.

Hiren's Boot CD has a couple of Partition tools:

1. Paragon Partition Manager
2. Acronis Disk Director

Acronis is probably more reliable and is also available for Windows. Both of these have a Sector editor Tool. You have to use the Sector edit toolto:

1. Search for the filename in the directory entry (in the MFT)
2. Search for the duplicate filename in the directory entry (in the MFT)
3. Change the filename(s) using the hex byte edit function to correct the problem.

You should first be sure that you don't just have a hard symbolic link on the file (see the command line Junction and Mklink commands) by confirming that both filenames appear in the same "DIR <path>" list from a command prompt and "REN <filename>" renames both files.

Now crank up Hirens boot CD (boots into Linux) and navigate to Acronis Disk Director / Tools / Explore.

This is where it gets really interesting. You need to search for the filename (without the file type or extension part) in UTF-16 format. Fortunately, the high byte is usually always null, so what you have to enter is the hex valuesof the filename with an 8bit null (00) between every character. EG: TEST would be 54 00 45 00 53 00 54 00 and remember its case sensitive.

If you happen to find one of these entries check that it is one of the MFT records you are after (each MFT entry is about 4 display lines). First look for non display characters (above 7F) in the filename and that there is a null after each character. Windows permits 16bit filename characters and will not see this as an error (by design). Don't be afraid to keep searching just to be sure.

Next, manually convert the sector Hex display into values that make sense in the MFT table doco provided in the previous links, and be certain you have found the right MFT record. (You only need to find the first entry). Once you are confident, note down the sector number and offset and change one of the non null bytes in the filename to make it unique. Click SAVE. Job done.

Reboot Windows and hope like **** you haven't totally destroyed your hard drive.

There is a backup MFT block at the end of the drive. I'm not sure if anything needs to be done to that one as well. I'll post more as I come by the details.

If you try this please let us know how you go.