Exporting duplicate file paths means generating a list of locations (full directory paths) where identical files exist on a storage system specifically for auditing purposes. This involves scanning the storage, identifying files with identical content regardless of name or location, and producing a report detailing these locations. It goes beyond simply finding duplicates to enable external review and evidence collection, distinguishing it from basic deduplication tools which just locate or delete copies without creating structured output.

This feature is commonly implemented within specialized duplicate file finder software or data management platforms. For example, an IT administrator might use such a tool to export paths to duplicate invoices across departmental folders before a migration to ensure only one copy is retained. In legal compliance, an audit team might generate a report of path duplicates for sensitive documents across shared drives to demonstrate enforcement of single-version policies.

Exporting paths provides verifiable evidence for audits, simplifies manual review processes, and aids in storage optimization analysis. Key limitations include ensuring the exported data's accuracy at the point of use (files might be moved/deleted later) and handling potential false positives due to minor differences. Ethical considerations involve safeguarding potentially sensitive path information in audit logs. Future enhancements include tighter integration with data governance platforms for automated policy verification based on duplicate path reports.