How to Find Duplicate Files in File Explorer: A Complete Guide
There are various chances for files duplication due to frequent download, backup, file transferring operations, and having copies of identical documents. The accumulation of duplicates takes up your storage, complicates managing files, and causes other inconveniences. Therefore, numerous Windows users want to know how to find duplicate files without using complicated algorithms. So if you want to find out how to search for similar files in Windows file explorer, here are the solutions for doing it.
Why Do You Have Duplicates Files?
When searching for the solution of how to find duplicate files in file explorer, it is essential to realize the cause of duplicates generation, which may include:
- Frequent downloading of the identical file
- File copying from one folder to another or to a different drive
- Creation of backups of documents manually
- Synchronization of data across multiple gadgets
- Different versions of edited documents saved with different names
The more duplicates you have on your computer, the more disk space they will take up.
Method 1: Use File Explorer Search Filters
One of the most straightforward methods of finding duplicates would be using File Explorer’s built-in search function.
Step 1: Start File Explorer
Use Ctrl + E to open File Explorer.
Step 2: Choose the Location
Go to the location you want to look for the duplicates. To find as many results as possible, select the whole drive.
Step 3: Search According to File Extension
In the box at the top right of your screen, enter a file extension, for example:
*.jpg *.png *.pdf *.docx
It will show you all files of a particular extension.
Step 4: Sort the Resulting Files
Click on View, then on Details and sort files according to:
Name Size Date modified
If two files have similar names and the same size, they are likely to be duplicates.
This would be one of the easiest ways of finding duplicate files in file explorer.
Method 2: Group Files by Name
The second way that can be helpful is to classify files by their similarity in names.
Step 1: Open the Necessary Folder
Step 2: Go to Details View
Step 3: Sort by Name
Click on the column named “Name“.
Files with the same or very similar names will be found next to each other.
Step 4: Check File Properties
Right-click a file and choose Properties. Pay attention to the following aspects:
File Size Date Created Date Modified
Similarities in these aspects can suggest duplicates of the same file.
Using such tips, a person can learn how to find duplicate files in the Explorer without any other software.
Method 3: Search Using File Size
Identical files will normally be of the same size.
Step 1: Open File Explorer
Navigate the folder or drive containing your file(s).
Step 2: Apply Size Filters
Input any of the following into the search box:
size:large size:huge size:gigantic
Sorting the results by size is also possible.
Step 3: Analyze Identical Matches
Inspect files with similar sizes and names and compare them before deletion.
Another technique through which users learn how to find duplicate files in file explorer is applying file size filters.
Method 4: Scan Through Multiple Directories
At times, duplicated files may appear in different folders instead of a single folder.
Step 1: Open This PC
Open File Explorer and choose This PC option.
Step 2: Conduct a Computer Wide Search
Utilize the search bar to search for specific file name.
Step 3: Identify Search Results
Results from various locations will come out.
Step 4: Analyze Found Files
Inspect paths, files’ sizes, and date to see if they are duplicates.
When learning about how to find duplicate files in file explorer through an entire PC, this method will be most helpful.
Method 5: Use Windows Search Operators
Some advanced operators are useful for narrowing the result sets.
For instance:
Kind:=picture Kind:=document Date:=today Size:=>100MB
The use of multiple filters makes the search accurate and easy to spot duplicates.
For instance:
Kind:=picture Size:=>5MB
The above syntax will show picture files that are larger than 5MB and can be sorted and duplicates spotted easily.
Thus using advanced search syntax can be used effectively to learn how to find duplicate files in file explorer with ease.
Alternative Approach For Fast Identification
Manually searching for duplicate files is effective where the number of files is small. However, manual techniques are tedious in case of hundreds and thousands of files. Therefore, in such cases PCVITA Duplicate Photo Finder Software comes in handy for quickly scanning folders and finding duplicates.
Best Practices Before Deleting Duplicate Files
Irrespective of the method adopted, follow these precautionary steps:
Make a Backup
Before deleting any duplicates, always make sure to back up your important files first.
Check File Content
Remember that files may have similar names but completely dissimilar contents. Make sure to check the files before deleting them.
Check File Location
Always be careful while removing files from system folders and application directories.
Deletion Gradually
It’s always safer to remove the duplicates gradually rather than all at once.
Final Note
Knowing how to locate duplicate files in file explorer will definitely aid in saving memory space, optimizing the file organization process, and reducing file clutter on the system. There are a number of techniques available for users to perform this function in File Explorer in Windows such as search by file type, sort files by name, filter by file size, and use of advanced search operators. Users can adopt a duplicate file finding process manually in File Explorer or use a software-based approach for duplicate files management.