Looking for for a files organizer, something like iTunes but for everything else

My collections of files grow larger and larger (~ 3TB). They are messy and there are many duplicates. Many times I cannot find what I want and end up downloading them again. I'm in need of a software that can record, tag and categorize whatever I have on my HDD and external HDDs.

Any recommendations?

 

IMHO nothing beats a well thought out and implemented folder/directory structure.

 

Windows explorer seriously. have a well thought out folder system like suggested above is best. in the future you can then switch Operating system's or computers and not have to resort everything.

 

I'm currently doing just that but for ~3TB of files, it's a very tedious work; finding duplicates, renaming, re-organizing into proper folders,... (duplicate finder software tells me that I have 24650 duplicate files in one of my HDDs )

However, main reason that I need a software solution because I have 6 external HDDs which I cannot connect to them all the time. Rather than browsing through all external HDDs (and DVDs), It would be much more convenient to have files database on a computer telling me what files I already have and where I store them. Beside I need ability add more info/key words for my files, and be able to search by those info/key words.

 

Forget about folders... they're obsolete. Use Windows Search. Comes with Vista, and it's available for XP as a free download. Search across all folders and drives, search by name or by file type or both, create saved searches, etc. You can sort and group the results in Explorer.

Oh yeah... for recognized file types, it lets you search inside the file too, including any metadata and file content.

 

Can Windows Search make a database for off-line use?
For example, create database for an external hard disk drive and able to search for files on that drive even if it was not connected to my laptop.

 

I'm not sure... I don't know of a way to do that. I haven't really played around with removing indexed drives.

 

It sucks now that you have so much stuff, but a well thought out system of folders is the best way to go. That's how I am handling my stuff nearing 4TB.

 

So is independent thought, but those of us who are still capable still do it

 

BTW, I replaced Windows Explorer with a program that uses dual panes, can have multiple tabs in each pane, supports saved views, and find duplicates, among other things.

 

Thanks for comments guys.
I think I found what I've been looking for; Advanced File Organizer
It's not exactly 100% of what I wish it would be (cannot add tags, nor screenshot), but it's close enough. At least, I can have record of every single file I have in all external HDDs and DVDs.