User manual

How to use Zenovix Storage Manager

A practical guide to scanning folders, understanding storage analysis, reviewing duplicates, applying archive, recycle or delete actions, exporting CSV reports and restoring archived files safely on Windows.

Download from the Microsoft Store
Zenovix Storage Manager dashboard showing storage analysis and actionable insights
Use Analysis to define a focused cleanup scope.

Quick start

Recommended first pass

  1. Install Zenovix Storage Manager from the Microsoft Store.
  2. Add one focused folder or drive in Setup / Scan.
  3. Keep exact SHA-256 matching enabled for the first scan.
  4. Use the interactive Analysis dashboard before marking files in Review.
  5. Save scan results if the review will take more than one session.
  6. Use Archive first when you want a Zenovix recovery path.

Product workflow

Work from scan to recovery in controlled stages.

Zenovix is designed around evidence-first cleanup. Each stage gives you more context before anything is archived, recycled or deleted.

Before scanning

Choose a clear scan scope

Start with the folders or drives that are actually under storage pressure. Focused scan roots are easier to understand, faster to review and safer than scanning every synced or system location at once.

  • Use Browse to add folders you want Zenovix Storage Manager to analyse.
  • For OneDrive or other cloud-synced folders, make important files available locally before scanning.
  • Avoid Windows system folders unless you deliberately need to inspect them.
  • Use smaller source roots when a folder tree is very large or deeply nested.

Setup / Scan

Run the scan and watch the status

The Setup / Scan stage shows the selected sources, current status and scan progress. Long scans can be paused, resumed or stopped while Zenovix is working through large folders.

  • Start Scan begins analysis using the selected folders and scan settings.
  • Pause Scan and Resume Scan help when you need to reduce disk activity temporarily.
  • Stop Scan ends the active scan before it completes.
  • Skipped files are reported instead of hidden, so you can see if cloud-only, locked or inaccessible files were not included.

Scan settings

Pick matching options that fit the job

Exact matching is the most conservative default for duplicate detection. Advanced matching can find broader candidate groups, but those results need slower review before any archive, recycle or delete decision.

  • Match by SHA-256 hash finds files with the same content.
  • Require same file size keeps exact duplicate matching conservative.
  • Match by file name and date/time can narrow review candidates but is less definitive than hash matching.
  • Advanced fuzzy name matching finds similarly named files based on the chosen similarity threshold.
  • Advanced fuzzy content matching can compare images, videos, audio, documents, PDFs and archives.
  • System file safety options can exclude system, read-only and hidden files from cleanup results.

Analysis

Interactive Dashboard Filtering

The Analysis dashboard is interactive. You can click supported visuals, category tiles, size bands, folder summaries and file type summaries to narrow the current analysis scope before moving into Review and Execute.

  • Summary cards show the current scan scope, storage usage and duplicate opportunity.
  • Actionable Insights highlight duplicate space, fuzzy matches, old files, large folders, empty folders and archive candidates.
  • Charts such as Storage by Category, Size Distribution, Top File Types, Top Largest Files, Largest Folders and Historic File Activity help explain where space is going.
  • Clicking a supported dashboard visual applies cross filtering across the linked dashboard views.
  • Hold Ctrl while clicking additional visuals to combine filters into one focused analysis scope.
  • Current filters appear at the top of the dashboard so you can see the active filter context.
  • Dashboard cards, charts, tables and review lists update to reflect the filtered scope.
  • For example, selecting duplicate cleanup candidates and then Audio limits the dashboard to the audio files inside that cleanup scope.
  • If you then move to Review, Zenovix keeps that same persistent analysis scope active so you continue working only with those files.
  • Click the same visual again to remove that filter, remove it from the filter bar, or use Clear filters to reset the dashboard completely.
  • Always review selected files before archiving, recycling or permanently deleting them.

Saved results

Save large scan reviews and continue later

Large folder structures can take time to review properly. Zenovix can save scan results so you can load them again later and continue working through the same review instead of starting from scratch.

  • Save scan results when a large review will take more than one session.
  • Load saved results to return to the scan, analysis and review state later.
  • Use saved results for careful long-running reviews of photo libraries, project folders, archives or external drives.
  • Generate a CSV report when you need a file-by-file record of review status.
  • Use the CSV report to check which scanned files are kept, marked for cleanup or still unreviewed.

Review

Inspect duplicate and empty-folder candidates

Review is where user-controlled cleanup decisions are made. Zenovix separates exact duplicate groups from fuzzy matching results so lower-confidence matches do not get mixed into the most reliable duplicate removal path.

  • Exact Duplicate Review is for high-confidence duplicate groups.
  • Fuzzy Matching Review is for similar files that need closer inspection.
  • Keep, Delete and Unreviewed labels show the current review decision for each item before any action runs.
  • Keep oldest, newest, largest, smallest, shortest path or longest path rules can help mark groups consistently.
  • Empty folder review lets you keep or mark empty folders separately from file duplicates.

Execute

Apply reviewed actions deliberately

Execute is the final stage. Only use it after reviewing the selected items and understanding the recovery limits of archive, Recycle Bin or permanent delete.

  • Archive moves reviewed items into a Zenovix archive record so they can be restored from the Recovery Centre.
  • Recycle Bin uses Windows recovery behavior and may be limited by available Recycle Bin capacity.
  • Permanent delete is user-confirmed, should be treated as final and has no Zenovix recovery promise.
  • Partial completion, skipped files and failed items should be read before starting another cleanup pass.

Archive

Use Archive when you want a Zenovix recovery path

Archive is the recommended cleanup option when you want Zenovix to keep an auditable record of what happened. Reviewed files are moved into an archive location and a manifest-backed recovery record is created for later restore.

  • Choose Archive in the Execute stage after duplicate or empty-folder decisions have been reviewed.
  • Check the archive location before running Archive Reviewed Cleanup.
  • Keep the recovery manifest and archive files together so the Recovery Centre can preview and restore them later.
  • Read the progress and outcome panels after execution so skipped or failed items are not missed.
  • Use Recycle Bin or permanent delete only when you understand their different recovery limits.

Recovery Centre

Restore archived files when needed

The Recovery Centre lets you inspect archive records, preview restore paths and restore selected items or full archive jobs.

  • Choose or browse to the archive location you want Zenovix to inspect.
  • Parse or refresh recovery records before selecting items to restore.
  • Preview restore paths so you know where files will go.
  • Restore selected files or a whole archive job when the preview looks right.
  • Clean or delete archive records only when you no longer need that recovery path.

Screens in the guide

Main areas of Zenovix Storage Manager.

Zenovix Storage Manager scan settings showing source folders and duplicate matching options
Setup and scan settings
Zenovix Storage Manager dashboard showing storage analysis, charts and actionable insights
Analysis dashboard
Zenovix Storage Manager Analysis dashboard showing an example filtered view with Audio and reclaim duplicate storage cleanup candidates
Dynamic Analysis dashboard filters
Zenovix Storage Manager exact duplicate review showing files ready for keep or delete decisions
Exact duplicate review
Zenovix Storage Manager Archive screen in light mode showing reviewed cleanup, archive location, progress and outcome panels
Archive reviewed cleanup in light mode
Zenovix Storage Manager Archive screen in dark mode showing reviewed cleanup, archive location, progress and outcome panels
Archive reviewed cleanup in dark mode
Zenovix Storage Manager Recovery Centre showing archive records and restore preview controls
Recovery Centre

Troubleshooting

Common situations during scan, cleanup and restore.

The scan seems slow

Large folders, cloud-synced locations and fuzzy content matching can take longer because Zenovix prioritises reliable identification over unsafe shortcuts. Narrow the scan scope or use exact matching first when you want a focused pass.

Cloud files were skipped

Cloud-only files may not be available locally. Download or mark the files as available on this device, then scan that folder again.

Files changed after the scan

If files are moved, edited or deleted after scanning, review state may no longer match the current disk state. Run a fresh scan before executing cleanup.

You need to continue a review later

Save the scan results before leaving a large review. Load the saved results later to continue working through the scan, and generate a CSV report when you need a record of each file's review status.

Recycle Bin capacity is not enough

Reduce the selected files, free Recycle Bin space or choose another reviewed execution option. Do not use permanent delete unless you accept that recovery is not promised.

A file cannot be opened or restored

Check whether the file is still available, whether the destination path exists and whether another app is using the file. Include the exact message if you contact support.

Still need help?

Send the details that explain the issue.

Include your Windows version, the stage you were using, exact error text and whether the issue happened during scan, review, archive or restore.

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