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Best Duplicate File Finders & Remover Tools for Windows

Duplicate files pile up on your PC as you download, copy, or transfer files, clogging up your disk and slowing you down. When that happens, you need to know how to find and remove duplicate files to keep your computer streamlined. We’ve put together a roundup of the best duplicate file finders for Windows. And use a computer optimization tool to keep junk off your system and your machine running smoothly.

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Written by Domenic Molinaro
Published on May 26, 2022

What is a duplicate file finder?

Duplicate file finders locate and remove multiple copies of the same file on a device, freeing up disk space and keeping files organized. Some duplicate file finders can even find near-duplicate files with different names, file types, sizes, or other slightly different characteristics and identify those for deletion.

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    It’s easy to find several copies of the same file littering various corners of your hard drive. Over time, your computer gets clogged up with redundant data and duplicate files that slow down your system. Windows 10 doesn’t have a built-in duplicate file finder, so getting a third-party program to find duplicate files will save you a lot of frustration, while reclaiming valuable disk space.

    After choosing the Windows duplicate file finder that’s right for you, all you need to do is run a scan to identify unnecessary duplicates and get rid of any junk you don’t need. Check for duplicate files every few months, and don’t forget to password protect files and folders on Windows that you want to keep safe.

    Deleting duplicates is a good place to start, but there are other ways to clean up your PC too. Defragging your hard drive tidies up your disk configuration, while deleting temporary files can free up gigabytes of storage. Pesky files you think have been deleted may still be hanging around, so see how to permanently delete files and make sure they’re gone for good.

    Get rid of duplicate files and other junk by emptying your trash. Deleting duplicate files and other junk helps streamline your machine.

    Let’s take a look at the best duplicate file finders for Windows:

    Which is the best duplicate file finder?

    Here are the best duplicate file finders for Windows:

    The best duplicate file finder depends on your particular requirements and tastes. If you just want to free up disk space quickly, some duplicate file finders can delete all dupes on your device automatically. More specialist programs can help you shred files or fix 100% disk usage and other specific issues. Meanwhile, the best PC cleaner software features a suite of clean up tools bundled together.

    And it’s not just PCs that suffer from duplicates cluttering up storage. Mac users also need cleaning software for MacOS that can help permanently delete files on a Macbook. Phones also get littered with multiple copies of files in various locations, so take steps to keep your Android phone clean or your iPhone free from digital junk.

    CCleaner

    CCleaner lives up to its reputation for quality and efficiency. Along with scanning your entire PC for duplicate files, the utility includes a suite of powerful cleaning tools to get rid of bloatware and other digital trash. CCleaner can search and sort files by name, content, size, or date modified, and it can even identify and remove edited versions of original music files in Windows 10.

    Pros

    • Lightweight, quick, and easy to use

    • Lots of custom search options

    • Different pricing tiers

    • Reliable app with years of industry experience

    • Updates regularly

    Cons

    • Ads on free version

    Cost

    • $29.95 with a 30-day trial

    Compatibility

    • Top-notch duplicate file finder for Windows 10, 8, and 7

    Easy Duplicate File Finder

    Easy Duplicate File Finder by WebMinds is one of the best programs to find duplicate files. You have the option of automatic deletion or reviewing the findings yourself. If you like visuals and comprehensive reporting, such as data on which duplicate files were most common, this simple yet effective program might be the best duplicate files finder for you.

    Pros

    • Highly accurate

    • Removes all duplicates at once

    • Visual interface with charts and graphs

    • Support through a web form

    Cons

    • Expensive

    • Slow scans

    Cost

    • $39.95 per device

    Compatibility

    • Windows XP onwards

    SearchMyFiles

    SearchMyFiles by NirSoft is freeware that offers lots of search flexibility in a convenient package. With no installation required, SearchMyFiles lets you run a standard search along with looking for duplicates. With lots of search filters and no virtual footprint, this handy app is many techies go-to answer to what is the best free duplicate file finder.

    Pros

    • Can run from USB

    • Tons of search options and advanced filters

    • No installation

    Cons

    • Confusing interface

    • Technical details may overwhelm casual users

    Cost

    • Free — no paid premium version

    Compatibility

    • Windows 2000 and onwards

    XYplorer

    XYplorer is a Windows duplicate file finder that packs a strong punch. For a small program that doesn’t require installation, the amount of options available in this versatile file manager are considerable. XYplorer can scan for duplicate files by using MD5, which is like a file’s version of a fingerprint.

    Pros

    • Deep custom options

    • Fast scans

    • Supports multiple profiles

    • Comprehensive file manager

    Cons

    • Complicated

    • No plug-in support

    • Poor touchscreen support

    Cost

    • $39.95 after a 30-day free trial

    Compatibility

    • Windows 10, 8, or 7, XP, or Vista

    Duplicate Sweeper

    Duplicate Sweeper is a nifty duplicate file fixer that sniffs out surplus documents, pictures, video, and audio and removes them in one fell swoop. Duplicate sweeper can also search services such as Google Drive and Dropbox for any extraneous files cluttering your cloud storage.

    Pros

    • Affordable

    • You can preview files before deleting

    • Drag-and-drop search

    Cons

    • Can’t scan your whole drive at once

    • Not many options

    Cost

    • $20 lifetime fee

    Compatibility

    • Windows 11, 10, 8, or 7 or Vista

    Wise Duplicate Finder

    Wise Duplicate File Finder by WiseCleaner earns its name with common sense features such as scanning for empty folders and files and a restore option. Scan for duplicate files by name, size, or content and delete them automatically or manually.

    Pros

    • Scans for duplicate files and empty folders

    • Can restore files after deletion

    • Minimalist

    Cons

    • No scan logs

    • No file preview

    Cost

    • $19.95 yearly subscription

    Compatibility

    • Windows 11, 10, 8, and 7, and XP

    CloneSpy

    CloneSpy is old-school duplicate software that still has some tricks up its sleeve. Though its interface is dated, CloneSpy can detect slightly different duplicate files that other programs may overlook. CloneSpy is free for Windows 8, 7, XP, Vista, and 2000.

    Pros

    • Smart scanning

    • Export or transfer files without deleting them

    • Free

    Cons

    • Clunky interface

    • No support for Windows 10

    Cost

    • Free — no paid premium version

    Compatibility

    • Windows 8, 7, XP, Vista, and 2000 only

    Fast Duplicate File Finder

    Fast Duplicate File Finder by MindGems features an advanced search algorithm. This clever dupe finder can dig deep into files to analyze multiple attributes in case a similar file is hiding on your PC. A duplicate file finder with a long reach, it can scan a folder, a computer, or an entire network.

    Pros

    • Sorts older and smaller files for convenience

    • Compatible with all versions of Windows

    • File preview with lots of formats

    • Free and paid options

    Cons

    • Free version is limited

    • Cramped interface

    Cost

    • Free — $39.95 premium version

    Compatibility

    • Windows 2000 and onwards

    Duplicate File Detective

    Duplicate File Detective is a duplicate finder for Windows tailored to business environments. Duplicate File Detective can sweep all local or network paths in one go, and identify which files belong to which user. This program also offers some unique features, such as the ability to link from the deleted dupe to the original, mark files for future actions, and send email reports.

    Pros

    • Monitor multiple networks

    • Technical support

    • Export to HTML, PDF, XSL, CSV, and more

    • Two-week trial

    Cons

    • Expensive

    • Not useful for casual users

    Cost

    • $60.00 lifetime fee

    Compatibility

    • Windows 10, 8, and 7, Windows Server 2012, and Windows Server 2012 R2

    dupeGuru

    With the ability to search the metadata of files, dupeGuru is one of the best free duplicate file finders around. And no dupeGuru review would be complete without mentioning the dedicated Music mode, which offers one of the best ways to remove duplicate music files.

    Pros

    • Quick and efficient

    • Picture mode to find similar pictures

    • Multiple languages

    • Cross-platform: supports Windows, OS X, Linux, and Ubuntu

    Cons

    • Old-school interface

    • Not as many features as professional programs

    Cost

    • Free — no paid premium version

    Compatibility

    • Windows 10, 8, or 7

    AllDup

    AllDup is another effective duplicate file finder. AllDup can find duplicate MP3 files by their ID3 tags and delete them quickly. And it can also identify and get rid of photos with similar characteristics. AllDup is a no-frills duplicate file detector that removes duplicate files quickly.

    Pros

    • Highly configurable

    • Saves scan results

    • Backs up files

    Cons

    • Clunky interface

    • Scans are sometimes slow

    Cost

    • Free — no paid premium version

    Compatibility

    • Windows 10, 8, 7, XP, and Vista

    Auslogics Duplicate File Finder

    Auslogics Duplicate File Finder might be the best free duplicate file finder of the bunch. This generous program features a Rescue Center to restore mistakenly deleted files, regular software updates, and even a driver updater. Some reviews of Auslogics Duplicate File Finder have noted the lack of Vista and XP support, but it’s hard to fault new software for not supporting older operating systems.

    Pros

    • Quick and accurate scans

    • Can search in hidden folders

    • Uses MD5 checksum to find hidden file details

    Cons

    • No real-time support

    Cost

    • Free — no paid premium version

    Compatibility

    • Windows 10, 8.1, and 7

    Avast Cleanup

    After getting rid of duplicate files, you need to keep junk and other clutter off your system, so your computer remains clean and light. Avast Cleanup is comprehensive cleanup software that will free up tons of extra storage space by finding and deleting temp files, old installer files, browser cache files, and unwanted bloatware.

    Avast Cleanup features a suite of tune up tools and maintenance facilities that will keep your PC sparkling clean, and running as fast and smooth as the day you got it. Remove years of grit and grime in a few clicks, and keep it that way — try Avast Cleanup for free today.

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    Domenic Molinaro
    26-05-2022