How to scan for duplicate files? The best way is to use a professional duplicate files finder that can not only find redundant files on your computer but also remove them easily and quickly.
Duplicate files are copies of the same content that exist in multiple locations on a storage device, such as a hard drive, SSD, or external disk. These files have the same or nearly identical content, but they may have different file names, creation dates, or file locations. Duplicate files accumulate over time for various reasons, and they take up valuable storage space on your device.
There are many types of duplicate files, including:
◤ Exact duplicates: These are files with the same content. They are bit-by-bit identical, but may have different file names, file formats, or metadata. ◤ Partial duplicates: Also known as near-duplicates, these files are similar but not identical. Their content may differ, such as slightly different versions of images or documents. ◤ Different formats: Duplicate files can exist in different formats. For example, you might save the same image in JPEG and PNG formats.
Common causes of duplicate files include:
✦ File downloads: Multiple downloads of the same file, possibly from different sources or websites.
✦ File copy: Manually copy files without checking whether the content already exists elsewhere.
✦ Data backup: Creating file backups without properly managing existing backup copies.
✦ Software installation: Some software installations may create duplicate files or store temporary files that are not deleted after installation.
Managing duplicate files is critical to maintaining an organized and efficient storage system. Duplicate files not only waste storage space but also make it difficult to find and manage important files. Using a duplicate file finder tool can help identify and remove these duplicates, freeing up storage space and simplifying file organization.
In this article, we’ll introduce you two different ways to make it. One of them is Windows built-in File Explorer, and the other is a reliable third-party duplicate files scanner and deleter.
A step-by-step guide to find and delete duplicate photos using File Explorer:
Step 1. Navigate to the bottom left corner next to the Windows icon. In the search bar, enter "indexing options" and click the appropriate result to access indexing options.
Step 2. Click Edit and select Show All Locations. A window will pop up prompting you to enter your login details; make sure you use an administrator account to make these changes.
Step 3. Verify that all checkboxes under the "Change selected location" section are checked. If so, click OK and close the Indexing Options window. If not, make sure all checkboxes are checked before continuing.
Step 4. Press the Windows key and the E key simultaneously on your keyboard to open File Explorer. To more easily locate the files, navigate to your user account by going to Windows (C:) and selecting the Users folder.
Step 5. Click "Search" in the upper right corner. Enter the file extensions associated with common image formats, such as .jpg, .jpeg, .png, .gif, .bmp, .tiff, .psd, .raw, .svg, .ico, and .webp.
Step 6. Organize search results by name for a more structured view.
Step 7. Check the files to identify duplicates saved in different locations. Use the "Date Modified" column to find out the latest version of each file.
Step 8. After viewing the file, select the duplicates you want to delete and press the DELETE key on your keyboard.
By following the steps above on how to scan for duplicate files Windows 10, you can effectively utilize File Explorer to find and delete duplicate files on your Windows system.
Although File Explorer offers a manual method to scan for duplicate files, the process can be time-consuming. Choosing a powerful and efficient tool to remove duplicate photos can speed up the task significantly. AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional is such an effective solution. This tool quickly scans your computer and compiles a complete list of duplicate images, archives, documents, and audio files.
The tool's efficiency is enhanced by its customization options, allowing users to customize the process to their liking. In addition, AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional also includes a data recovery feature to alleviate worries about accidental deletion by easily retrieving lost data.
In conclusion, choosing AOMEI Partition Assistant Pro not only speeds up the duplicate file deletion process but also provides a user-friendly experience with customizable options and provides a safety net for data recovery in case of accidental deletion.
Now, download the demo version to try how to scan computer for duplicate files:
Step 1. Click the "Free up" on the main tab and select "Duplicate Files Finder".
Step 2. Here, all partitions on your computer will be displayed. You can personalize it and click "Scan".
Step 3. After the process is finished, all duplicate files that meet the conditions you set will be displayed. You can click the "Preview" button to see the duplicate files.
Step 4. You can select the duplicate files you want to delete. Or, click "Smart select" to automatically select duplicate files. Then, click "Move to folder".
That's all about how to scan for duplicate files in Windows 11/10/8/7. This post covers two effective ways to make it. As you can see, AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional would be the better choice between the two methods. It has concise interface and simple steps, making the whole process easier and more efficient. By the way, it has the Server edition for Windows Server system users.