How to Delete Duplicate Files on Windows 10

If you’re like most Windows 10 users, you know the frustration of dealing with duplicate files. It can be tedious to try and locate, select, and delete all the duplicates manually. Luckily, there are ways to find and delete duplicate files quickly and easily. In this article, we’ll walk through the steps of how to delete duplicate files on Windows 10.

How to Remove Duplicate Files from Windows 10

Duplicate files can take up unnecessary storage space and slow down your computer. Fortunately, Windows 10 offers several methods to help users quickly and easily delete duplicate files. In this article, we’ll explain how to use the Windows 10 search tool, duplicate file finders, and other tools to remove duplicate files from your system.

Step 1: Use Windows 10 Search Tool

The Windows 10 search tool is an easy and effective way to quickly identify and delete duplicate files. To use the search tool, simply type in the name of the file you want to delete into the search bar and hit Enter. Windows will then search your hard drive and display all of the files with the same name. You can then select the duplicate files and delete them.

Step 2: Use Duplicate File Finder Software

There are a variety of dedicated duplicate file finder software programs available for Windows 10 users. These programs can help you quickly find and delete duplicate files on your system. Simply download and install the program of your choice, then run a scan to identify the duplicate files. Once the scan is complete, you can select the files you want to delete and remove them from your system.

Step 3: Use Third-party File Management Tools

Third-party file management tools, such as File Explorer or Total Commander, can also help you quickly delete duplicate files. These programs allow you to view and manage all of the files on your system, including duplicate files. Simply open the program, locate the duplicate files, and delete them.

Step 4: Use Command Prompt

The Windows Command Prompt can also be used to delete duplicate files. This method is best for users with some technical knowledge, as it requires entering a few commands in the Command Prompt window. To use the Command Prompt, you’ll need to open the window and type in the following commands: “dir /s /b *.ext”, where “ext” is the file extension of the duplicate files you want to delete.

Step 5: Use a Storage Analyzer Tool

Storage analyzer tools, such as WinDirStat and TreeSize, can help you quickly identify and delete duplicate files on your system. These tools can scan your hard drive and display a list of all the duplicate files, allowing you to easily select and delete the files you no longer need.

Few Frequently Asked Questions

What are Duplicate Files?

Duplicate files are two or more files that are identical or have very similar contents. These files can take up unnecessary storage space which can be a problem on Windows 10 systems that have limited disk space. Duplicate files can be from downloads, photos, music, documents, etc. that are created or copied accidentally or intentionally.

How to Find Duplicate Files on Windows 10?

There are several ways to find duplicate files on Windows 10. One way is to search for files by name. To do this, open the File Explorer window and type in the name of the file you’d like to search for. Additionally, you can use third-party software such as Duplicate File Finder, Duplicate Cleaner, or CCleaner to scan your computer for duplicate files.

How to Delete Duplicate Files on Windows 10?

Once you have found the duplicate files, you can delete them manually or use a third-party software program to do it for you. To delete the files manually, open the File Explorer window and select the duplicate files you want to delete. Right-click on the files and select the “Delete” option. Alternatively, you can use a third-party software program to delete the duplicate files.

What are the Benefits of Deleting Duplicate Files on Windows 10?

Deleting duplicate files on Windows 10 can help to speed up your computer by freeing up disk space. This can help make your computer run faster and more efficiently. Additionally, deleting duplicate files can help to reduce the amount of clutter on your computer and make it easier to find the files you need.

Are There any Risks to Deleting Duplicate Files on Windows 10?

The main risk to deleting duplicate files on Windows 10 is that you may accidentally delete the original file. To avoid this, make sure to check if the files are actually identical before deleting them. Additionally, make sure to backup any important files before deleting them.

What Should I Do if I Accidentally Delete a File on Windows 10?

If you accidentally delete a file on Windows 10, the first thing you should do is check the Recycle Bin to see if the file is still there. If it is, you can select the file and click the “Restore” button to put it back in its original location. If the file is not in the Recycle Bin, you can use a third-party file recovery program to try to recover the deleted file.

How To Find And Delete Duplicate Files On Windows 10 For Free

Deleting duplicate files on Windows 10 is an easy task that doesn’t require any special skills or software. All you need to do is to use the built-in search function to locate the duplicate files, and take the necessary steps to delete them. This can help free up a significant amount of storage space, speed up your computer’s overall performance, and make sure that you don’t miss out on important files that might be hidden away in the duplicate file clutter. Now that you know how to delete duplicate files on Windows 10, you can take advantage of this simple yet powerful tool and keep your hard drive free from duplicate clutter.