How to Make Windows Delete Duplicate Files

Duplicate files can accumulate on your Windows computer over time, consuming precious storage space and making it harder to organize your files. Removing these duplicates manually can be a time-consuming task. To effectively manage these files, the optimal approach is to locate and eliminate them from any location on your computer.

Windows provides various methods and tactics for removing duplicate files. In this article, we will explore three methods for instructing Windows to eliminate duplicate files. The initial two methods make use of native tools such as Windows File Explorer and PowerShell, while the third harnesses the capabilities of a dedicated duplicates cleaner tool.

3 ways for how to make Windows delete duplicate files

Your Windows PC is equipped with integrated utilities designed for the purpose of eliminating duplicate files. Given that these duplicate files consume unnecessary storage space, it's a prudent choice to employ these built-in tools to identify and eliminate them.

This action not only reclaims space for storing additional data but also contributes to the long-term optimization of your computer's performance. The primary built-in tools for managing duplicate files on Windows encompass File Explorer and Windows PowerShell. Below, we provide a step-by-step guide for utilizing each of these tools effectively.

Solution 1: Using Windows File Explorer to remove duplicate files

Step 1: Open Windows File Explorer

Open Windows File Explorer by pressing Windows + E on your keyboard or by clicking the folder icon in your taskbar.

Step 2: Search for Duplicate Files

Navigate to the folder where you suspect duplicate files exist. It could be your documents, pictures, or any other directory. In the search bar in the top-right corner, type *.* and press Enter. This will display all files in the folder.

Step 3: Arrange Files by Size

Click on the "View" tab in the top menu and choose "Details." Click on the "Size" column header to arrange files by size, which can help identify duplicates more easily.

Step 4: Delete Duplicate Files

Scroll through the files, and if you notice identical files with the same size, right-click on one of them and select "Delete." Windows will ask for confirmation; click "Yes" to delete the duplicate file.

Solution 2: PowerShell to delete duplicate files

Step 1. Run PowerShell as admin.

Right-click on the Windows icon in the lower-left corner and select Windows PowerShell (Admin). A confirmation box will open up. To proceed, click Yes.

Step 2. Set searching location.

Enter this script: set-location –path C:\ in the Windows PowerShell window.

Step 3. Using commands to list duplicate files.

Enter the script for the list of all duplicates and their location:

ls "(directory you want to search)" -recurse | get-filehash | group -property hash | where { $_.count -gt 1 } | % { $_.group } | Out-File -FilePath "(location where you want to export the result)"

In (directory you want to search), enter the folder location of your User Account.

In (location where you want to export the result), enter the folder location you want the result to be exported or saved (e.g. Documents or Desktop).

Step 4. Open the folder location you have exported or saved.

Step 5. Delete duplicate files.

Check for each location in the text file, and then delete the duplicate files.

Solution 3: Choose duplicates cleaner to comprehensively remove files

AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional is a powerful and easy-to-use disk management software that offers various features, including duplicate file removal. With an intuitive interface, it's an excellent choice for both beginners and experienced users.

This tool provides a comprehensive solution for managing your hard drive and optimizing disk performance. Beyond its primary function as a partition manager, it offers a convenient and efficient tool for finding and deleting duplicate files. With features like this, AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional stands out as an all-in-one solution for Windows users seeking to manage their storage effectively.

Step 1. Install and run AOMEI Partition Assistant.

Click the "Free up" on the main tab and select "Duplicate Files Finder".

Step 2. Select scan range.

All of the partitions on the computer are visible here. To begin scanning, press the "Scan" button. Furthermore, even if the disk is locked, the application will scan it and reveal duplicate files on the partition. It cannot, however, erase duplicate data on closed disks.

Step 3. Preview all duplicate files.

After the process is finished, all duplicate files that meet the conditions you set will be displayed. You can click the "Preview" to see the duplicate files.

Step 4. Select duplicate files and relocate them.

You can select the duplicate files you want to delete. Or, click "Smart Select" to automatically select duplicate files. Then, click "Move to folder".

To sum up

Whether you choose to use built-in Windows tools like File Explorer and PowerShell or opt for a third-party solution like AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional, removing duplicate files from your Windows computer is a crucial step in optimizing storage space and maintaining a well-organized system. Besides removing duplicate files, you can also use this tool to clean junk files and move installed apps to clean more available space. And if you want to manage your Windows Server, you turn to our Server edition.