Thanks to modern technologies, we have the opportunity to store a huge amount of data: photos, videos, music, documents, programs and much more. Add synchronization between different devices, as well as cloud storage. As a result, we get a huge number of files. It is not surprising if some of them are duplicated and take up extra space on the disk. What to do in this case? We tell you what solutions there are for removing duplicate files.
Where do duplicate files come from?
There are different reasons why identical files appear on a device. Here are the main ones:
- Copying : When you copy files from one location to another, an error may occur and the system will create two identical files instead of one.
- Backup : If you back up your files, each time a new copy is made, the system can create an identical file.
- Synchronization between devices or cloud storages can also result in duplicates. For example, if the synchronization process is interrupted and then resumed, the system may re-download an existing file.
- Different versions : If you work on the same file on multiple devices or save it under different names, this can result in identical versions being created.
- Software : Some programs may create temporary or auxiliary files that remain after they have finished running.
- Updating the operating system results in the creation of new versions of files that are already in the storage.
- Viruses and malware add duplicate files to perform their functions covertly.
The problem with duplicates may arise for those who often work with large amounts of data, for example, photographers and videographers. Somewhere the synchronization was incorrect, somewhere the existing files were copied again. As a result, the hard drive memory is mercilessly eaten up.
Regardless of the reasons, unnecessary files should be dealt with. To avoid duplicates, it is recommended to regularly clean your computer and check for duplicates using special programs. Fortunately, there are both paid and free versions for different devices and operating systems.
Programs for finding duplicate files on your computer
There are many such programs on the market now, so you have plenty to choose from. The utilities’ functionality is basically similar, but they differ in their interface, license, release platform, and some functions. To make it easier to understand which program is right for you, we have compiled a list of the most popular and proven ones.
CCleaner
An application for cleaning your computer from junk and temporary files on Windows, MacOS and Linux operating systems. It allows you to delete various types of data, such as web browsing history, cookies, temporary Internet files, recent documents, error logs and much more. In addition, CCleaner can manage startup programs, remove unnecessary applications and configure registry settings.
Pros:
- The program is free for home use;
- Simple and clear interface;
- Supports many applications and browsers, including Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer and others.
Cons:
- Not available in Russia (only on torrents);
- Sometimes deletes important system files, which can lead to computer failures;
- Some users complain that the program displays advertisements for other Piriform (CCleaner developer) products;
- The MacOS version is not as functional as the Windows version.
Duplicate Cleaner Free
A free program for finding and deleting duplicate files on your computer. It allows users to easily find and delete unnecessary copies of files, freeing up space on their hard drive. The program has a simple and clear interface, making it easy to use even for beginners.
Pros:
- Free;
- Quickly scans your computer and finds duplicate files;
- Allows you to select parameters for searching and deleting duplicates, and can be customized to suit the user’s specific needs;
- Supports most common file formats, including images, music, videos and documents.
Cons:
- Works on Windows only;
- While Duplicate Cleaner Free is functional enough for most users, it may not be sufficient for professional needs.
Duplicate Files Fixer
Another utility for finding and deleting duplicates on your computer. It allows you to easily find and delete unnecessary copies. The program guarantees the safety of your data by providing the ability to preview files before deleting and creating a system restore point. Also, the developers of Duplicate Files Fixer regularly update their application to keep it relevant and effective.
Pros:
- Uses advanced algorithms to quickly scan your computer and detect duplicate files;
- Can scan multiple locations on your hard drive at once;
- Flexible search options.
Cons:
- Users complain about long time of duplicate extraction;
- The interface is not always intuitive and clear;
- Works on Windows and Android only.
AntiTwin
Another program for searching and deleting duplicates on a PC. It is designed to work in operating systems of the Microsoft Windows family. The utility has a built-in option for precise selection of search criteria (file name, creation date, size, content). For convenience, the utility has a built-in function for visual comparison of deleted data.
Pros:
- Free distribution license;
- High speed – quickly scans your computer and finds duplicate files;
- Flexible search settings.
Cons:
- Rare program updates;
- Cannot handle large amounts of media simultaneously;
- For Windows only.
VisiPics
Here is another program created to find and remove duplicate images. It is developed and supported thanks to donations, so it is distributed free of charge. It is distinguished by high accuracy and support for a large number of formats.
Pros:
- Continues to receive frequent updates;
- It is possible to delete duplicates directly during the search;
- The program is simple and easy to use.
Cons:
- Constantly asks for donations, which can be annoying;
- Not the fastest search speed;
- Duplicates for deletion must be marked manually.
A cross-platform utility for finding and removing duplicates, running on both Windows and MacOS. It features high speed and a user-friendly interface. It is mainly designed to work with different image formats, including JPEG, PNG, BMP, and others.
Pros:
- Automatic update;
- Distributed on a shareware basis;
- The program has a built-in auto-update;
- Easy to learn, has a clear interface and settings.
Cons:
- To use some functions you will have to purchase a license key;
- There is no way to recover deleted images.
Gemini
A program for searching and deleting duplicate files on a computer with the MacOS operating system. The developers took care of the user’s convenience, the interface here is similar to all programs released for Apple products. The program supports searching for different formats: music, images, files.
Pros:
- Fast and thorough search;
- Nice and minimalistic interface;
- Ability to search for duplicates not only on your PC, but also in iTunes libraries;
- Frequent updates and release of new versions.
Cons:
- Paid license;
- Available on MacOS only.
Apps to find duplicates on your smartphone
Our pocket gadgets are often even more cluttered than computers, because it is on smartphones that we store a lot of photos and record videos. In addition, not all users are used to going into the explorer and viewing the contents of the memory. We have selected several applications for you that will help you find duplicates on your smartphone and delete unnecessary files.
Files Go
Files Go is a mobile app from Google designed to clean up memory on devices with the Android operating system. With its help, you can free up space in your smartphone’s memory, find and delete duplicate files, large files, unused applications, and other content.
Files Go automatically analyzes the device’s memory status and notifies the user when it is running low. The app also shows how much space has been freed up after cleaning. The app does not require access to the user’s personal data and does not send information to the developers’ servers. It also has a function for connecting and cleaning the Google Photos cloud storage.
Slidebox
This is an application for smartphones based on iOS and Android, which helps the user to automatically sort photos into categories. The utility works on the basis of artificial intelligence. It independently analyzes all the photos in the device’s memory and groups them by various parameters: people’s faces, landscapes, animals, food, and so on. The user can independently add categories and delete unnecessary ones.
Slidebox also allows you to delete duplicate photos, which frees up space on your device’s memory. The app works offline and does not require an internet connection. The interface is somewhat reminiscent of Tinder – scroll through the feed and swipe up or down to save or delete photos.
Photo Cleaner
Photo Cleaner is another utility that works on both iOS and Android. The developers have built advanced search algorithms into the application. It independently analyzes all photos in the device’s memory and finds similar or completely identical images. The user can independently choose which duplicates to delete and which to leave.
Photo Cleaner also helps find and delete bad or blurry photos. The application works autonomously and does not require an Internet connection, but it scans the phone for quite a long time when you first launch it.
Cleaning your gadgets on time not only extends their operating time, but also frees up space to store your data. We recommend regularly checking your devices and getting rid of junk files. The programs and applications in this article will help you with this. Take care of yourself and your electronic assistants.