10+ Tools for Finding and Deleting Duplicate Files on Windows
We've covered many ways that you can save space on your storage drives over the years, most recently discussing how to manually go through large files and testing cleanup utilities, resetting Windows to its default state without losing your files, and methods for deleting the Windows.old backup, in all scenarios potentially reclaiming several gigabytes of storage in the process. Deleting duplicate files on your system could easily result in clean out that is similarly sizable if only a few large files are found.
Windows doesn't make it easy to deal with duplicate files all by itself. While there are many options for accomplishing this sort of task with batch files or PowerShell scripts, we assume most people would prefer something that doesn't involve a command prompt.
Without installing third party software, your only option is running a search for a specific file via Windows Explorer and manually deleting the duplicates that appear. This isn't helpful, of course, if you don't know which files have duplicates.
Those of you using the powerful File Explorer alternative Total Commander may know already that it includes the ability to search for duplicate files (it's on the second search page) among the dozens of other features it provides over the Windows File Explorer aimed at power users.
If you'd rather not add any additional third party software to your system or learn your way around a new file explorer, it's worth mentioning that CCleaner has a duplicate file finder built in (Tools > Duplicate Finder), if you happen to use that already. Note however we're not as fond of CCleaner as we used to be and there are better alternatives these days.
Third party tools to find duplicate files
You're probably going to need one of these tools...
- CloneSpy
- Duplicate Cleaner Pro/Free (15 day trial)
- Wise Duplicate Finder
- Dupscout
- Advanced Duplicates Finder
- Duplicate Finder
- Auslogics Duplicate File Finder
- Fast Duplicate File Finder
- Anti-Duplicate
We've installed all of the above and unless you're after some specific feature, CloneSpy gets our recommendation for having a light, albeit somewhat cluttered interface. CloneSpy displays just enough options by default, it's also free and can be run in "portable" mode without being fully installed, which we tend to like for this kind of utilities.
For a more intuitive interface with simpler functionality than the above, we like Wise Duplicate Finder:
On the premium end of things, Duplicate Cleaner is easily the most popular duplicate tool in our download section, touting loads of features and displaying them in a modern-looking interface that is responsive and scales well with a custom Windows DPI.
If you only plan to run a few quick scans and then uninstall it, the software offers a 15 day trial but costs $29.95 for a lifetime license.
Although you have to uncheck crapware during its installation, Auslogics Duplicate File Finder is free and features a GUI that is about as modern feeling as Duplicate Cleaner yet walks you through the scanning process with a series of prompts instead of opening to a switchboard full of options.
As a final mention, DupScout seems like a decent alternative to CloneSpy if don't care about having a portable installation yet want a relatively clean interface that isn't quite as dated or barren (add a profile on the left to get started).
Visualize Those Large Files
Didn't free up as much space as you thought?
Try looking for large files with one of these drive visualization tools...
- SpaceSniffer
- WinDirStat
- TreeSize Free
Finding Duplicate Files on macOS
Duplicate File Finder Remover on the Mac App Store comes highly recommended, with a ton of features on top of a very intuitive UI. Some advanced features are available at a cost, but that's entirely optional.
Two more recommended apps for macOS users: Trend Micro's Dr. Cleaner is free and offers a disk cleaner and big file finder. While Disk Inventory X is a dedicated tool to show the sizes of files and folders in a treemap graph, similar to the Windows example above.
Other Useful Tips
- Productivity Booster: Enable 'Night Mode' on All Your Devices
- Where is the Windows 10 Recycle Bin? Removing it from the desktop & putting it elsewhere
- Computer Tips & Tricks Everyone Should Know
- 5 Ways to Access a Locked Windows Account
(责任编辑:资讯)
-
Moeko Fujii ,July 18, 2024 The Eyes of Lac ...[详细]
-
近日,石棉县人民法院成功调解一起原告在义务帮工过程中遭到高压线电击受伤赔偿纠纷,通过法官的悉心调解,最终达成了由当事人分责担责的调解结果。案件原告黄某因在义务帮被告习某建彩钢棚时被某电力股份有限公司所 ...[详细]
-
雅安日报讯 日前,市公安局名山区分局廖场派出所民警值班室突然听见派出所大门外传来“砰”的一声。职业敏感让民警们闻声而动,跑出派出所发现有一辆倒地的自行车,旁边躺着一名满脸是血的男子。民警立即上前询问情 ...[详细]
-
日前,结合雅安市城市总体规划(2013—2020),我们畅想了雅安这座城市的未来。魅力雅安,“城”熟梦想正在进行,我们看见,城市面积正在扩容,新城区建设如火如荼,城市文明正在提升,城市交通网络日益完善 ...[详细]
-
How to trademark your TikTok phrase and protect your brand
So, you had a video go viral and it had a very specific phrase, like "Hawk Tuah on that thang" or "v ...[详细] -
雅安日报讯12日,芦山县千名建筑工匠培训行动圆满结束,1347名学员按期完成规定学习课程,投入灾区农房重建工作。芦山县重建办相关人员介绍,芦山县千名建筑工匠培训行动自7月1日全面启动以来,得到省委、市 ...[详细]
-
...[详细]
-
群众积极参与广场舞比赛雅安日报讯昨(28)日,记者从市文化新闻出版和广播影视局获悉,为期一个多月的“舞动民族魂 唱响中国梦——雅安市第二届群众广场舞大赛”圆满结束,共有7个作品获得表彰。据了解,此次活 ...[详细]
-
Spate of defections show Kim Jong
A new monument that commemorates North Korean defectors who have died while escaping from the repres ...[详细] -
...[详细]