How to Find and Remove Duplicate Files on Windows

Duplicate file finders examine your hard drive for redundant files and assist you in deleting them, freeing up space. Here are our recommendations for the finest duplicate file finders, whether you want something simple to use, an app you may already have installed, or a complex tool with the most extensive filters.

These programs should not be used to delete duplicate files from system directories such as Windows and Program Files. To work effectively, Windows and the apps you use may need duplicate files in several places.

Duplicate Cleaner Pro makes it simple to find and delete duplicate files.

Duplicate Cleaner Pro, which has an exceptionally simple interface and strong tools to eliminate duplicate files, is your best choice if you’re serious about locating and destroying duplicate files.

Although this program is not free, it does come with a free trial that you may use to see whether you like it. You also don’t have to be concerned about malware or spyware.

Auslogics Duplicate File Finder is the easiest tool to use.

Many duplicate file finders are rather complicated and have a lot of options. Unlike others, Auslogics Duplicate File Finder has a straightforward interface that guides you through the procedure. Other useful features include an integrated preview window that lets you browse photographs, listen to audio files, and sample films before deleting them.

Some reviews criticize Auslogics for including extra junkware with this program, although they’ve improved their practices since then. When we installed the duplicate file finder, the installer did offer to install Auslogics Driver Updater. You don’t need a driver updater, therefore uncheck any extra software given during the installation procedure.

The default settings in this program are reasonable. provides a straightforward wizard to guide you through the procedure. By default, it will search non-system directories on all connected drives, but the sidebar allows you to simply pick which drives and folders you wish to search. It will seek for photos, audio files, video files, archives, and apps by default, but you may choose to search for simply one kind of file or all file types. If you’re searching for a certain file, you may simply instruct it to check for files that have a specific word or piece of text in their name.

You’ll receive a list of duplicate files once you do a search, and you can quickly examine previews and other details. You may also use the “Filter” option to further refine your search by date, size, or file type. To send files to the Recycle Bin, choose the files you wish to remove and click the “Delete Selected Files” button.

You may already have the best tool installed: CCleaner

Because CCleaner is such a popular program, chances are you already have it installed. It’s major feature is its junk file remover, which frees up space on your hard drive by deleting superfluous temporary files, but it also includes a duplicate file finder and other useful utilities.

To locate this functionality, open CCleaner and go to Tools then go to Duplicate Finder. It’s included in all versions of CCleaner, so you don’t have to pay for the Pro version to utilize it.

The default settings of CCleaner are reasonable, allowing you to search your C: drive for duplicate files while avoiding system and hidden files. You may also use the Include pane’s “Add” button to search a particular directory by choosing it and pressing the “Add” button. When creating a new folder, choose “Include files and subfolders” to guarantee that CCleaner scans any directories inside the folder you designate.

The interface for examining duplicate files in this utility isn’t very attractive, and it lacks the same preview features as Auslogics Duplicate File Finder. It does, however, enable you to quickly pick which files you wish to remove and even save the duplicates list to a text file. However, it’s a simple interface that lets you choose which files to remove and save the list of duplicates to a text file. If you wish to see the file on your system, right-click it in the list and choose “Open containing folder.”

SearchMyFiles is the best tool with advanced filters.

SearchMyFiles is a more complex program with additional filter options. It may, for example, look for files produced, changed, or accessed exclusively during certain dates and hours. NirSoft is the company behind this utility, as well as a slew of other essential freebies that never come with bundled junkware. It’s a portable software, like many other NirSoft programs.

When you open it, you’ll get a complicated-looking search dialog. Pick “Duplicates Search” in the Search Mode box at the top of the window, then click the “Browse” button to the right of Base Folders to select folders to search.

Selecting C:, for example, will scan your whole C: drive for duplicates. Set any additional preferences you like, then click “Start Search” to look for duplicate files. You’ll see a list of duplicate files organized into categories, from which you can choose which ones to delete.

Rhousse

Commerce major. My training enabled me to fully use the various Microsoft Applications while also allowing to work around problems. I spent my high school years working as a campus writer and researcher, as I get older, I want to broaden my horizons and live life to the fullest.

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