How to Find and Delete Duplicate Files in Windows

Over time, your computer can accumulate unnecessary duplicate files that take up valuable disk space and slow down your system. Removing duplicates not only frees up space but also boosts overall computer performance. In this guide, we’ll go over a few effective ways to locate and delete duplicate files on the Windows operating system.

Method 1: Using Windows Built-In Search

Although the Windows built-in search is not specifically designed for finding duplicates, it can help you locate files with the same names. This method is straightforward but may take time and be less precise.

  • Open File Explorer and select the drive or folder where you want to search.
  • In the search bar, enter a file name or file extension like .jpg or .mp3 to find files of a particular type.
  • Sort the search results by date or size to more easily spot duplicates.

Method 2: Using Free Software for Duplicate File Detection

For a faster and more accurate way to find duplicates, it’s best to use dedicated software. Here are some popular free applications that can help with this task:

CCleaner

CCleaner offers basic duplicate file removal functions. Besides helping to clean up the system, it includes a built-in tool to find duplicate files.

  1. Download and install CCleaner.
  2. Open the program and go to Tools → Duplicate Finder.
  3. Select the folders or drives you want to scan, and configure search settings (by name, size, date, etc.).
  4. Click Search and wait for the scan to complete.

Duplicate Cleaner Free

Duplicate Cleaner Free is another powerful app that allows you to find duplicates by various parameters, including audio, image, and video files.

  1. Download and install Duplicate Cleaner Free.
  2. Open the app and select the type of files you want to check.
  3. Set search filters such as file size, date, and format.
  4. Click Start Scan to begin searching.
  5. Review the found duplicates and choose which ones to delete.

Method 3: Using Command Prompt

If you’re comfortable with the Windows Command Prompt, you can use it to find duplicate files. This method requires some basic knowledge of command-line syntax and is more advanced.

cd path_to_folder
dir /s /b | sort | findstr /v /x /g:list_of_files.txt

This command helps you find duplicate files in the specified directory. However, it’s recommended only for users with experience in command-line operations, as mistakes can affect system performance.