Forum Discussion
Smith9
Jun 25, 2025Iron Contributor
Look for a fast duplicate file finder for Windows 11/10
My Windows 11 PC and Windows 10 laptop have accumulated a large number of files over the years, mostly are photos, documents, music, and videos. I suspect there are many duplicates taking up unnecess...
OregonPine
Jun 25, 2025Iron Contributor
Hey! About the best duplicate file finder for Windows 11, if you're thinking about using Czkawka on Windows 11, here are some downsides I've come across (based on experience and user feedback):
- The interface is pretty straightforward, but if you're not tech-savvy, it might take a bit to get used to all the options, especially the different matching methods.
- Czkawka is a manual scanner—so you have to run it yourself each time you want to clean up. Unlike some apps that keep an eye on your files in real-time, this one is more of a "run it when needed" tool.
- Even with backups and confirmations, if you're not careful, you might delete files you actually want to keep—especially if you’re using fuzzy matching. Always double-check before hitting delete.
- The GUI is minimalistic, which is great for speed, but it might lack some advanced filtering or scheduling options you'd find in paid or more polished cleaners.
- Unlike some paid duplicate file finder for Windows 11, Czkawka doesn't have a built-in preview to see what the duplicate files look like before deleting. You need to manually open files outside the app to verify.
- You gotta add folders yourself, exclude system files, and decide on matching methods. If you want something super hands-off, this might feel a bit tedious.
Overall, it’s a solid, fast, and open-source option, but if you want a super simple, automated, or feature-rich experience, you might find it a bit basic or require some caution.