How to Find and Remove Duplicate Files in Windows
If you regularly create, download or import files, duplicates are inevitable. Copying documents or folders from one location to another or multiple backups means that the same file will be in multiple locations.
Finding and deleting them is an easy way to free up space, and it’s possible using third-party software. Doing it manually will probably take some time, but it’s worth making sure the apparent duplicates are in fact the same file.
Some cameras use the same filename even when the photo is different, so it’s worth checking its size and date to see if they’re the same. The popular CCleaner software relies solely on the name, so it is not recommended in this situation.
There are paid solutions, but the app we use here is completely free and does everything you need.
How to find and remove duplicate files from Windows
Even if these are files you want to delete, it’s best to back up your important data first.
From there, the method is the same on Windows 10 and Windows 11, as it relies on third-party software available for all recent versions of Windows.
Install Auslogics Duplicate File Finder
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Go to the Auslogics website and click “Download Now” – it should automatically recognize the operating system you are using and download the correct version.
When done, double click on the downloaded file, followed by “Agree and Install” and “Next”. Installation should only take a few seconds.
Find duplicate files
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Launch the app if it’s not already open and it should look like the above. Choose the disk drives you want to search for duplicates, then “Search all file types” or just a few.
Click “Search” to begin the process – it should only take a minute or two.
Select chosen duplicates
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Once the search is complete, a list of all duplicates found (if any) will be displayed.
Clicking ‘Select’ will choose all duplicates by default, but the drop-down menu next to it has options for only one duplicate of each file, oldest/newest version of a duplicate, or only .zip file duplicates . Of course, you can view them manually if you prefer.
Remove selected duplicates
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Once you’ve selected all the duplicates, it’s time to delete them.
Clicking ‘Delete selected files’ will send them to your computer’s recycle bin (where they will be permanently deleted after 30 days), but the drop-down menu next to it lets you choose ‘Rescue Center’ (backed up to the cloud so you can recover them if necessary) or immediate permanent deletion.
Confirm deletion
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You will now see a pop-up warning you that the files will be moved and deleted. Click ‘OK’ to continue – removal should only take a few seconds.
That’s it! Your duplicate files will now all be deleted.
If you don’t want to use the Auslogics app, Paralells Toolbox is a useful alternative. Finding and removing duplicate files is just one of the many features it offers, but you’ll have to pay $24.99/£20.99 per year for a subscription.
Once installed, simply open the app and click Files > Find Duplicates. The official video below is filmed on a Mac, but the process is similar on Windows:
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