Forum Discussion
How can I find and remove duplicate files on Windows 10/11?
I was organizing my computer recently and found a lot of duplicate files. I don't know how to deal with them. I use Windows 10 and want to find a simple way to find and remove duplicate files. Is there any recommended software or steps? I hope to find all the duplicate files at once, clean them up quickly, and free up some space. Thank you for your help!
I’ve used AnyDupeCleaner myself, and it saved me tons of time—just scanned, picked the dupes, and deleted them in seconds! Super handy if you’ve got messy folders like I did.
Check this tutorial: https://www.pcfixtips.com/find-and-remove-duplicate-files
Definitely worth a try!
21 Replies
- JoohneiCopper Contributor
Using the Command Prompt to find and remove duplicate files on Windows 11 involves utilizing PowerShell or batch scripts. This approach is more technical but can be effective for users who are comfortable with command-line tools. Here's how you can do it with a batch script:
Get-ChildItem -Recurse |
Get-FileHash |
Group-Object Hash |
Where-Object { $_.Count -gt 1 } |
ForEach-Object { $_.Group | Select-Object -Skip 1 } |
Remove-Item
After running the script, you can verify that duplicates are removed by checking the directory manually or by running the script again to see if any duplicates remain.
This is a very powerful method to find and remove duplicate files on Windows 10 and can handle large directories efficiently, but it's also risky because it involves directly deleting files. If you're not comfortable with this approach, using a dedicated duplicate file finder tool might be safer.
- scarlettCooperCopper Contributor
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.
- SnomanCopper Contributor
This website is marked as "unsafe" and the scanner link is given in Chinese. Don't think I want to use it.
- kaifmohd7186Copper Contributor
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/
- Sunil__KumarCopper Contributor
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.
- AllanIsTheKingCopper Contributor
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
- MaverickJaxonIron Contributor
I’ve used AnyDupeCleaner myself, and it saved me tons of time—just scanned, picked the dupes, and deleted them in seconds! Super handy if you’ve got messy folders like I did.
Check this tutorial: https://www.pcfixtips.com/find-and-remove-duplicate-files
Definitely worth a try!
- TaoulahoonCopper ContributorManually hunting down duplicate files using Windows' File Explorer can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack, especially if you've got a mess of files stored on your computer. Trust me, I've been there—spending too much time clicking through folders, and it can get a bit maddening. This method can eat up a ton of time. I once decided to tackle my Downloads folder, thinking it wouldn't take long.
- Michael77Iron Contributor
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.
- FaoyesCopper ContributorFinding and removing duplicate files using the Command Prompt or PowerShell on Windows 11 can be a big one. When you're manually fiddling around in the Command Prompt, there's always a chance you might accidentally delete something important. I've had my heart drop when I realized I removed a duplicate that wasn't a duplicate after all because I wasn't careful enough. Having to recover lost files can be a total headache!