Find & Delete Duplicate Files in Windows 10 [Free PC Space]

Duplicate files make your PC cluttered. In fact, it’s a nuisance that takes up valuable driver’s space. Those files slow down your Windows and create difficulties finding the files.

However, there isn’t any built-in app to find and delete those Duplicate Files in a Windows 10/11 PC. But through trial and error, I’ve found the quickest way to locate the duplicate files using default Windows tools.

Follow this article to know more.

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How to Locate and Delete Duplicate Files in Windows 10/11

There are various ways to uncover and remove duplicate files in Windows 10/11. You can either use built-in Windows features (e.g., File Explorer, Windows Powershell, etc.) or third-party software to locate the files. However, you must recheck the duplicate files before deleting them.

Because if you delete some important files accidentally, you may not recover them.

Let’s see the methods to locate and delete copy files:

1. Use Windows File Explorer

You can manually find duplicate files on your Windows 10 computer using File Explorer. It’s a great method if you don’t want to use any 3rd party software.  However, this method is more time-consuming and less effective than the rest.

• Tap the Windows key and type Indexing.
• Select Indexing Options from the search result.
• Tap on the Modify > Show all locations option.
• Mark all boxes in the Changed selected locations section.
• Hit Ok and then Close.
• Press the Windows + E key and click the Search box.
• Type any name or extinction and press Enter.
• Click the View option in the window ribbon.
• Tap the Sort by drop-down menu and select Name.

After completing the steps, look for files with the same name and extension. You can choose the files to delete.

2. Use Windows PowerShell

Windows PowerShell is also a great tool for locating & deleting duplicate files in Windows 10 and 11 OS. You just need to remember the command line to apply this method.

Follow the steps below:

• Right-click the Start icon and click on the Windows PowerShell(Admin).
• Type the following command in the Windows
  
  ls “(Folder Path)” -recurse | get-filehash | group -property hash | where { $_.count -gt 1 } | % { $_.group } | Out-File -FilePath “(Save path)”
• Press the Enter key from your keyboard.

In the “Folder Path”, enter the folder location to find the duplicate. And in the “Save path”, you must insert the save location where you want to access the results.

Example: You can use the code;

to get the duplicate file result from the C:\Users\Asus\Downloads\Documents folder. Your PC will save the result as a name.txt file on your desktop.

You can also use the following command to delete the duplicate file on your PC:

Note: The command will permanently delete the duplicate files without confirmation, so use this command carefully.

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3. Use Third-Party Software

Many great third-party software options are available if you want a comprehensive solution to locate and erase duplicate files. And luckily, most of the software has a similar interface and straightforward guidelines.

Let’s see how you can use third-party software to find Windows duplicate files:

• Download and install any third-party duplicate file finders software like Duplicate Cleaner, CCleaner, CloneSpy, 4DDiG Duplicate File Remover, or Auslogics Duplicate File Finder.
• Run the software and select the folder or drive to search for duplicates.
• Follow the on-screen instructions to scan for duplicate files.
• Review the results and choose the documents you want to remove.

However, you must be careful when removing those documents. And always back up before deleting any files.

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Why Do You Need to Find & Erase Duplicate Files?

Duplicate files not only fill your storage space but also slow down your PC. You can also face difficulties locating any important documents through the pile of duplicates. That’s why you need to occasionally search for duplicate files and clear them from your computer.

Let’s take a look at a few core reasons to find and delete duplicate files

• Free up disk space: Duplicate files fill up unnecessary storage space. So deleting them will free up some space on your PC.
• Improve file organization: Having multiple copies of the same file makes tracking the most recent version difficult. So removing those copy documents, you can keep your files organized and easily navigate.
• Reduce the risk of data loss: Removing duplicate files reduces data loss and file corruption.
• Enhance system performance: When your PC has fewer files, it performs tasks more efficiently and improves overall performance and speed.
• Save time: Searching for specific files can be time-consuming, especially with multiple copies. By removing duplicates, you can save time and focus on the files that matter most.

As you can see, locating and removing duplicate files is important for maintaining your computer. So you should screen through your files and remove the unnecessaries time to time.

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FAQs

Does Windows 10 have a built-in duplicate file finder?

No, the Windows 10 operating systems don’t have a duplicate file finder.

Is it safe to delete duplicate files from Windows 10 PC?

Yes, deleting duplicate files is safe, as you still have the original document on the PC. However, make sure to review the duplicate files before deleting them.

Are duplicate files important?

No, duplicate files aren’t that important, as you still have the main file stored on your computer.

Conclusion

Finding copy files is a straightforward process that significantly benefits your computer’s performance, file organization, and data security. You can easily remove those copied files using File Explorer, PowerShell, or other third-party apps.

However, the File Explorer method is ineffective for large-quantity files and consumes a lot of time.

After reading the article, I’m sure you’ve successfully found and deleted those duplicate files and increased your PC’s productivity. Comment if you face any issues while applying the steps. Peace!