How can I find and remove duplicate files on Windows 10/11?

Removing duplicate data from Google Drive becomes quick and hassle-free with MacSonik Google Drive Duplicate Finder. The software performs a deep scan across My Drive and Shared Drives to locate duplicate files, even if they are stored in different folders or renamed. It offers a clear preview of detected duplicates, enabling users to safely select and remove unwanted copies in bulk. Designed to handle large Google Drive environments, the tool improves storage efficiency and overall Drive performance.

Also Read: https://www.macsonik.com/blog/remove-duplicates-in-google-drive/

On Windows 10/11, manually finding duplicate files using File Explorer can be slow and often misses files with different names. A more reliable option is to use a dedicated cleanup tool. You can scan your system, find duplicate files across folders, preview them, and safely remove extra copies using wmastercleanup.com This helps free up disk space and keeps your computer organized without risking important files.

I recommend: Directory Report

It can find duplicates based on the same name, size, CRC and/or comparing byte-byte-byte

You can open duplicate files withing the tool to verify if they are really duplicates (photos)

It has extensive filtering so you can skip Windows directories (Program Files)

Website has videos to show you how

In my experience, it is more efficient to use a duplicate file remover app for PC in order to find and remove duplicate files on Windows 11 and Windows 10. Here is why:

Efficiency: Third-party tools are specifically designed to find and remove duplicates, making the process faster and more accurate.

Customization: These tools often provide detailed options to customize the search, allowing you to exclude certain files or directories.

Ease of Use: Most of these tools come with user-friendly interfaces, making it easier even for non-technical users to remove duplicates.

While Windows 11/10 offers many great built-in features, managing duplicate files requires specialized tools that are best provided by third-party duplicate file remover software for PC.

QuinnQuinn Unfortunately, Windows 11 does not have a duplicate file remover designed for finding and removing duplicate files. While Windows 11 includes tools like Storage Sense and Disk Cleanup to help manage disk space by deleting temporary files and unnecessary system files, these tools do not target duplicate files.

To find and remove duplicate files on Windows 11, you'll need to use third-party duplicate file remover software specifically designed for this task.

If you want to go a simpler route without extra software to find and remove duplicate files, you can manually search for duplicates by using Windows' built-in search feature, although this method is more tedious:

• File Explorer: Open File Explorer.
• Search: Navigate to a folder where you suspect duplicates live, like Downloads or Documents.
• Search Bar: In the search bar, type the name of the file you think may be duplicated.
• Sort and Compare: Sort the results by name or size and manually review the files.

This method is harder and takes more time, especially if you have many files.

Steps to Use a Duplicate File Finder to find and remove duplicate files on Windows 10/11:

1. Download and Install: Choose one of the tools above, download it, and install it on your computer. Launch the duplicate file finder you installed.
2. Select the Folders to Scan: Choose the folders or drives you want to check for duplicates. You can scan specific folders like Documents, Downloads, or Pictures, or scan your entire disk. Adjust the settings if necessary. For example, you might want to search for exact duplicates (same file name and size) or similar files (with minor differences).
3. Run the Scan: Start the scanning process. Depending on how many files you have, this might take a little while. Once the scan is complete, the software will show you a list of duplicate files. Take a moment to review them. Most tools will let you preview the files, which is great for ensuring you don't delete something important!
4. Select and Remove: Choose the duplicates you want to delete. You can usually select them all at once or pick specific ones. Once you've made your selection, hit the delete button. After deleting the duplicates, don't forget to empty your Recycle Bin to free up that space!