[RANKED] The Best Free Duplicate File Finder Tools for Windows PCs

Over the course of weeks, months, and years of digital activity, there’s bound to be a proliferation of duplicate files on your storage drives—on the cloud, network, your PC, and various other devices. It becomes imperative to declutter the drives from time to time. You could try to find duplicate files manually. But more often than not, doing so proves difficult and is hardly ever a hundred percent successful. Not to mention time-consuming.

You may also try using the built-in features available on Windows, such as PowerShell and the indexing option in File Explorer, to track down and remove duplicate files.

But even then, it might not be enough. However, with the help of duplicate file finders, you can rectify these duplications in a timely manner.

Thus, in this article, we’ve taken the trouble to review 7 popular duplicate file finder apps for personal and business use, enabling you to make an easy choice.

What Is a Duplicate File Finder, and Why Should You Use One?

A duplicate file finder is a specialized tool that automatically tracks down multiple copies of a file or folder based on different criterias, even across multiple drives, making it easy for the user to sort and remove duplicates and free up disk space.

Using duplicate file finders has a lot of benefits compared to a manual process:

1. Fast and accurate scanning: Multi-threaded scanning searches through multiple files at once in order to locate duplicates.
2. File data analysis: Duplicate file finder apps can find files that are related, similar, or exact copies by analyzing not only the file attributes and metadata, but also the file content.
3. Find duplicates in multiple storage devices at once: Scan all your drives simultaneously and know the exact number of replicated/duplicated files and folders you are keeping.
4. Customizable scan settings: You can specify the parameters, depth, and strictness of a scan.
5. Preview of duplicates: See all the necessary details associated with each duplicate. You can also view duplicate images and play media files, making it easy to select them for removal.
6. Manual or auto-selection of duplicates: Scan results present duplicate files in a grouped fashion. For users interested in a quick cleanup, there are options for auto-selecting duplicate files in bulk. There are also options that help make manual selection of duplicates easy, especially for users who want greater control over the files they are removing.
7. Safe removal: Selected duplicate files can either be deleted immediately, moved to the Recycle Bin, or moved to a folder of your choosing, where they will be kept until you decide to delete them.
8. Create symbolic link: With certain deduplication software , you can declutter your drives by removing multiple instances of a file that are created purposefully and replacing them with symbolic links that point to a single copy.
9. Optimized system storage: Regular scans ensure that you maximize your storage space, so that it doesn’t fill up quickly. Furthermore, getting rid of small-sized duplicate files before they overpopulate certain folders can be good for your hard drive’s file system, thus keeping your PC running efficiently. This is especially so for internal and external drives formatted with the NTFS file system.

How Does a Duplicate File Finder Identify Replicas?

The following are the file-matching methods used by duplicate file finder apps:

1. File name: Compares file names.
2. File name (ignoring file extension): File names without the file extension.
3. File size: Finds files exactly the same size.
4. File name and size: Compares files based on name and size.
5. Hash value (checksum): Special algorithms mathematically compute and compare the checksum of individual files in order to find exact matches.
6. Byte-by-byte file content analysis: Analyze the file contents to identify files that are either similar or that are exact copies.

The best duplicate file finder apps could use all 6 methods to find duplicate files.

The Best Duplicate File Finder Tools for Windows

Whether you are looking for a free duplicate photo finder or you’d prefer a tool that can find not just duplicate and similar images but also video files, audio files, and all sorts of documents, then check out these 7 solutions.

Auslogics Duplicate File Finder

Auslogics Duplicate File Finder

⭐ Why choose Auslogics Duplicate File Finder?

The cheapest Pro version.

➡️ Overview

Auslogics Duplicate File Finder is a dedicated tool designed solely for Windows PCs. It is used for scanning the local system drive and USB-connected drives, such as hard drives, SSDs, flash drives, and memory cards.

Also, if you’ve set up the app for a cloud drive (for example, Google Drive and Dropbox) on your PC, and the drive is therefore mounted in File Explorer, you can use Auslogics Duplicate File Finder to scan it.

You can also scan imported, purchased, and downloaded files in the media folder of installed apps such as iTunes and Apple Music, located in the PC’s local drive.

By default, the free tool finds duplicate files of all types, but you can select a specific file type in the Pro version.

➡️ Notable features: 

• Automatic deselection of sensitive folders that contain crucial Windows files.

• Narrow down a search by providing a phrase that the file name contains. This can be particularly useful if you know or suspect that you are keeping multiple versions or copies of a particular file.

• In the Pro version, you can choose whether to use EXIF and ID3 tags to identify duplicate images and audio files instead of the standard search methods, like comparing file checksums.

• For easy access, it’s possible to integrate the utility with File Explorer so that you can scan folders on the go.

• In the Pro version, there’s an option for sending duplicate files to the Rescue Center for easy recovery.

• Going to the Ask a Question tab, the free version of the app lets you leave one question and get a response from the tech support. However, you have access to all the questions left by other users as well as the expert responses left by the tech personnel.

Cisdem Duplicate Finder

Cisdem Duplicate Finder

Why choose Cisdem Duplicate Finder?

Also available on Android devices.

Overview

If you are looking for a free tool that offers robust features for finding duplicate files both on Windows, Mac, and Android, then you can’t go wrong with Cisdem Duplicate Finder. It also has licenses for personal and business use.

Apart from that flaw, the program provides advanced settings for finding duplicates of various types and formats, including similar copies of an image. It can also scan network drives for duplicate files.

Therefore, if you are in need of a free duplicate photo finder to find copied images and other local files, you will find this tool especially useful.

Notable features

• Various settings under the General, Duplicate files, and Similar images tabs enable you to indicate how scans will run and how duplicates will be selected for removal.

• Drag and drop folders onto the app window, or you can click the + sign to add the drives and folders you want to scan.

• The app, by default, avoids hidden system files and folders, as is evident in the app settings. See the image below.

• Selecting the entire system drive throws up a prompt saying that the action is not allowed.

• While the scan is in progress, a summary is displayed in real time, and you can view the current results by clicking the Show results button.

• Start reviewing and deleting duplicates while the scan is paused.
• Save scan results for later access.

• View similar images, view all exact duplicates, or view duplicates according to type (image, document, video, audio, folder, etc.).

• Auto-selection of exact duplicates, leaving only one copy of the file.

• Similar images are not auto-selected by default but have to be selected either manually or by choosing one of eight available mass-selection rules, such as selecting low resolution, selecting high resolution, selecting high quality, etc.

Sorcim Clone Files Checker

Why choose Sorcim Clone File Checker?

The paid version can be used for online cloud scanning.

Overview

Clone Files Checker boasts impressive reviews online. The tool is available on both Windows and Mac. Not only can it be used to scan all directories and folders on your PC and external drives for duplicate files, but it also has dedicated features for finding and sorting duplicate music files, even directly on your iTunes app.

The Clone Files Checker app is free to download. The free version allows for the removal of up to 10 groups of duplicate files. The cloud scan feature also requires you to purchase the app’s companion service named Cloud Duplicate Finder.

Notable features

• Modify various options in the app settings to determine where and how duplicate files are found.

• The main interface of the app is presented to the user in a digestible manner, labelling the segments as Step 1, Step 2, and Step 3.

• Choose whether you want to scan all files in the selected drives and folders or only scan specific items, such as music, videos, archives, etc.
• Choose to run a file search, music search, or iTunes search. The Music Search and iTunes Search options will find duplicate music files based on content and tags such as bit rate, duration, etc.

• Under the iTunes Search option, you can also remove dead tracks and empty folders.

• The Fix Wizard option automatically marks duplicate files for removal based on how recent they are. And with the Review & Fix option, you manually select duplicate files using certain mass-selection criteria.

• It’s possible to export the results of the scan as a .csv file.
• Delete duplicates permanently or move them to a folder.
• When you choose to delete selected duplicates rather than sending them to a folder, the tool prompts you to enable the backup feature in the Preferences tab in the app settings so that you can restore the files if needed.

dupeGuru

Why choose dupeGuru?

Decent features for an entirely free-to-use tool.

Overview

dupeGuru is one of the popular duplicate file finder apps available for free online. It is supported on Windows, Mac, and Ubuntu and is used for scanning directories on your local internal and external drives. It can also scan network drives for duplicates.

Notable features

• While installing the app, choose to install it for every user on the computer or just for the current user.

• The Standard scan mode tracks all duplicate files based on file name, contents, and folders.

• The Music mode finds duplicate music files by content, tags, etc.

• The Picture mode finds duplicate images by content or EXIF timestamp.

• Adjust the settings for each scan mode via the General, Display, and Debug options in the More Options menu.

• Load previously saved scan results.

• After choosing the folders that you want to scan, you can select how they will be treated, namely:

1. 1. As a reference for scanning other folders
   2. Excluded from scanning
   3. Included for normal scanning

• Various options for marking duplicate files and choosing what to do with them, including sending them to the Recycle Bin, copying or moving them to a specified folder, etc.

• Save scan results or export them as a CSV or HTML file.

DRS Softech Duplicate File Finder and Remover

Why choose DRS Softech Duplicate File Finder?

Flexible licensing options.

Overview 

DRS Softech Duplicate File Finder supports 80+ file types. It is available on different versions of Windows and Mac.

You can find duplicate files on your PC’s internal drives, flash drives, and other external storage devices, as well as network drives. The tool can be used to scan both SAN and NAS network storage systems.

The free demo version of the app only allows the scanning of the first 50 files in each selected folder and removes only one duplicate.

Every time you open the app, you will be presented with a dialog box that provides options for buying the product, activating it if you’ve already bought it, or trying the demo version.

• Clicking on the Try Demo option brings up the following notice, as you can see here:

Notable features

• After adding folders and drives, even before the scan for duplicate files is initiated by the user, the app starts a preliminary scan to identify the details, such as the directory type (for example, a folder), number of files it contains, the drive letter, and file path.

• The app provides a number of options for modifying the scan behavior for finding duplicate files, such as selecting folder depth—whether to scan only the root folder or scan both the root folder and the subfolders. You can also choose how files will be displayed after searching for duplicates.
• The scan results group the duplicate files based on their file extensions, and you can choose to manage the duplicates individually or in batches by selecting Single Mode or Batch Mode, respectively.

• Selected duplicates can either be moved to the Recycle Bin, moved to a folder, or deleted permanently.

MindGems Fast Duplicate File Finder

Why choose MindGems Fast Duplicate File Finder?

Best features for scanning, sorting, and managing duplicate files.

Overview

MindGems Fast Duplicate File Finder is available on Windows and Windows Server PCs only. It has been around for 20 years and is one of the trusted duplicate file finder apps available online. You can find and remove duplicate files on your internal and external drives and on networks.

The pro tool has a feature that makes it possible to replace duplicate files with symbolic links.

After scanning for duplicate files, the free version of the app will present you with all exact copies but will only show you the first 10 groups of similar file copies.

You’ll have to upgrade to the Pro version to have access to sort and remove more than 10 groups of similar files. File names are also only shown for the first 10 groups of duplicate files.

Notable features

• The main interface of the app is simple and easy to decipher.

• It has a recommended option for protecting system files and folders, which is enabled by default. There are also various other useful features that can be enabled.

• For each instance, when protecting system files is turned on or turned off, trying to start a scan will show a notice for the user to confirm the action or to cancel it.

• Disable folders for self-scan so that files within a single folder are not compared against each other. However, this feature is not available in the free version of the app.

• Selecting the scanning criteria indicates how fast each scanning method is.

• Set the percentage of similarity for detecting similar files.

• Choose a preferred action after the scan is complete, such as saving the scan results, saving and then displaying the results, saving the results and then hibernating the computer, etc.

• The tool offers various auto-selection criteria, such as smaller or bigger file sizes, longer paths, etc.

• It also offers various options for handling selected duplicate files, such as replacing them with symbolic links, sending them to the Recycle Bin, copying them, moving them, etc.

• After the scan is complete, all duplicates are auto-selected, leaving only one original copy unselected.

CCleaner

Why choose CCleaner?

The duplicate file finder is part of an all-in-one PC optimization tool.

Overview

CCleaner is another cross-platform utility compatible with Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS. It’s not a standalone duplicate file finder like the other tools we’ve reviewed so far; rather, it’s a general PC maintenance app that also serves other purposes, such as registry cleaning, speed boosting, driver updating, etc.

The free version of the app can be used to scan internal drives and media folders on your PC, as well as USB-connected external drives. It does not scan network drives and cloud drives on the web.

Notable features

• The CCleaner interface is straightforward and easy to follow. The Duplicate Finder function is found in the Tools tab.

• Files are matched by name, size, modified date, and content. The Ignore section lets you choose various criteria for files that will be ignored during the search.
• All available internal and connected drives (including the system C: drive) are detected and added automatically for scanning. You can switch to the Exclude tab to add drives and folders you’d like to exclude from the scan.
• You can also specify whether to scan all files or specific file types by indicating their extension. There’s also an option to only scan files or both files and subfolders.

• Scan results can be saved to a .txt file.

Tips: How to Use Duplicate File Finder Tools For Best Results

➡️ Scan the drive or drives bit by bit:

It’s often better to scan related folders together, allowing you to easily review the scan results and avoid overwhelm.

➡️ Make use of search filters: Narrow down the scan further so it becomes even more speedy and accurate.

➡️ Adjust the scan settings and duplicate selection settings: The file comparison algorithms can be adjusted to become stricter and slower or faster but more vague. Also, before or after the scan, the rule for the auto-selection of duplicate files can be changed. You can also choose what to do with the files.

➡️ Preview carefully before selecting duplicates for removal: Look through the files to ensure that the copies you end up keeping are the right ones.

➡️ Postpone duplicate deletions if you can: Rather than deleting selected duplicates immediately, it might be better to send them to the Recycle Bin or keep them in a single folder, at least for a while. This will make it possible for you to restore those you change your mind about deleting.

➡️ Take advantage of specialized features: For example, a duplicate remover app such as Auslogics Duplicate File Finder will enable you to find hidden files and their duplicates.

Key Considerations When Choosing a Duplicate Finder

What makes the best duplicate file finder? Well, there are various things you should look out for when choosing a duplicate file remover. These will also enable you to decide whether to look beyond what a free duplicate file finder can offer and instead go for the premium version. Here are the factors you must consider:

🖥️ System compatibility

Make sure the tool supports your operating system (Windows, macOS, Linux, etc.) and version. Some apps also offer cross-platform support, which is great if you use multiple devices.

💵 Pricing & value

Compare free vs. paid options based on features offered. Look for:

➡️Free trials or money-back guarantees

➡️Discounts for multiple users or bundles

➡️Features worth the upgrade to a premium version

🧰 Features & usability

Pick a tool that’s intuitive and suits your needs. Important aspects include:

➡️Support for various file types and storage drives

➡️Custom scan filters and settings

➡️File previews and detailed scan results

➡️Support for different use cases (personal, business, enterprise)

⚡ Speed & performance

Scanning speed depends on the app’s algorithm, not just your hardware. Faster tools can save you time—especially with large drives or cloud storage.

🔐 File safety

Choose a tool that protects system files and offers options to review before deletion. Look for features like exclusion lists and automatic backup before removal.

🛎️ Customer support

Reliable support can save time if things go wrong. Opt for tools with responsive help desks, active forums, or detailed documentation.

Free Duplicate File Finder Tools vs. Premium Features

Licensing is one of the major considerations when going for a third-party tool. While most users would be happy enough with a free duplicate file finder, it’s often not enough nor suitable in certain situations, and you’d be better off going for a paid tool.

If you are still on the fence, it might help if we pointed out the benefits of going for premium as opposed to sticking with a free duplicate file finder version:

Choose the Best Duplicate File Remover Tool for You

While free duplicate file finder apps are quite useful in finding duplicate files, they are not always suitable, as certain functionalities would be restricted. They also often lack several robust features required to satisfy more advanced needs.

Take, for instance, the free version of Cisdem Duplicate Finder, which can scan your drives to find duplicate files but won’t enable you to delete the files. DRS Duplicate File Finder will scan your drives but will only compare a limited number of files. And some apps, such as Sorcim Clone Files Checker and MindGems Fast Duplicate File Finder, will scan your files but will only let you remove a limited number of duplicates.

That’s why it’s always better to go for the premium version of your chosen duplicate file finder. It will offer more flexibility and, depending on the app, will have suitable options for home, professional, business, or enterprise use.

We hope you’ve benefited from this guide. Don’t forget to like and comment: what’s your favorite free duplicate finder app?

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