Introduction
If you often find that you create duplicate files as you rename or use files in another context, or just backup more than you had intended, Duplicate File Detectors help you find and/or delete these duplicates and regain the storage space they previously occupied.
Judging from some of the recent comments, it would appear that some cautions should be noted before using this type of software. One might also note that with the cost per gigabyte rapidly decreasing, redundancy is no longer such a bad thing.
Don't ever just blindly run the program, find all the duplicates and then click “remove”. This can be disastrous in the sense that even though filenames are the same, the content is sometimes different. For example, you may have multiple icons with the same name, but of differing sizes; or you may have a photograph that has been modified when placed in a different folder but retains the same filename.
Don't scan too much at once. A complete scan of drive C: would not be smart. However, scanning a few related folders at one time is much more efficient and the results less overwhelming. Despite the best software, human intelligence may still have to be used. It is best, like eating an elephant, to take one bite or one small scan at a time.
[Doakio Editor's Note: This article was restored from Gizmo's Freeware archives as a service to the freeware community. Gizmo's Freeware provided high-quality, volunteer freeware reviews for decades. They shut down in July of 2021.]
Rated Products
SearchMyFiles Perform duplicate file searches in a simple layout
License: Free
Duplicate Cleaner Free A fast duplicate file cleaner in a streamlined user interface
License: Free (Limited features)
Anti-Twin A powerful program with the ability to search Unicode files
License: Free (Private/Educational use)
CloneSpy One of oldest and smartest programs in its class
License: Free
Auslogics Duplicate File Finder A fast duplicate file remover with some addons
License: Free
Other Duplicate File Removers
- Fast Duplicate File Finder is fast and easy to use. It also features two specialty searches: Graphics and music. However, these functions are now limited in the free version.
- Exact Duplicate Finder is fast and easy to use, does a credible job and it has enough options to satisfy most users.
- Double Killer is fast and easy to use and does a credible job and it has enough options to satisfy most users.
- AllDup is yet another option. It is fast and easy to use, does a credible job and it has plenty of options.