A unique, universal file code created for a file being created or saved for the first time has core elements that include an original device identifier; an original product identifier unique to a software product used to create or save the file; an original operating system identifier unique to an operating system used to create or save the file; an original user identifier unique to a user creating or saving the file; a checksum computed from a totality of a data content of the file; and a name of a checksum algorithm used to compute the checksum. The universal file code is added to file metadata or attributes for the new file and saved with the new file. Embodiments determine whether files are identical, related or not identical or related by comparing elements of their universal file codes.