How to Remove True Duplicate Files

There is duplicate finder software to remove the duplicates on a computer.

When we download music, videos, books, etc. onto a computer, the files, over time, can become duplicated. These duplicate files can take up a lot of disk space on your computer. If you try to find the duplicates yourself, it would take a long time. There is duplicate finder software that can find and remove the duplicates for you.

Instructions

Duplicate Finder

1. Download Duplicate Finder (see Resources). Follow the onscreen instructions to install the file onto your computer. Keep "Launch Duplicate Finder" checked and click "Finish."

2. Click "Buy Now" if you want to purchase the program or "Try It" if you want to use the trial. The trial will do the same as if you purchased it, but it will last for only 30 days. Click "OK" to close the tip dialog box.

3. Click the blue button under "Export" at the top of the window. This button adds the search path. A "Browse for Folder" dialog box opens. Click "Local Disk (C:)" if you want to search the entire computer. If you only want to search a certain folder, navigate to it and single click the folder to select it. Click "OK" and the window will close. Click "OK" again to confirm the selection.

4. Click the "Scan" button in the top left corner of the window, and it will start scanning your computer for duplicate files. Depending what search criteria you chose, this process takes a few minutes to complete. There is a progress bar at the bottom of the window. When it is finished, it will list the duplicate files found on your computer.

5. Browse through the files and make sure you want to remove them all. Click the "Mark" button at the top of the window and choose "Mark all Duplicates." You can uncheck the box next to files you do not want to delete. Click the "Delete" button when you have finished making your selection. The program will delete the duplicate files. When it is finished, you will be returned to the main screen.

Easy Duplicate Finder

1. Download Easy Duplicate Finder (see Resources.) Follow the onscreen instructions to install the program to your computer. Check the "Launch Duplicate Finder" check box and click "Finish." Click the "My Computer" folder on the left side then "Local Disk (C:)." If you only want to remove duplicates from one folder, single-click on the folder to select it. Click the "Add" button when you are finished making your selection.

2. Click the "Start" button in the middle of the page, and Easy Duplicate Finder will scan your computer for duplicate files. This process will take a few minutes. There is a progress bar at the bottom of the window.

3. Click the "Auto Select" button at the bottom of the window to select all duplicates. Click the individual files by clicking the check box next to each file you want to delete if you do not want to delete all of the files. When you are finished selecting the files, click the "Delete" button at the bottom right side of the page. When it is finished, you will be returned to the main screen.

Duplicate Cleaner

1. Download Duplicate Cleaner (see Resources.) Follow the onscreen instructions to install the program onto your computer. Check the "Run Duplicate Cleaner" check box and then click "Finish."

2. Click "OK" in the "About Duplicate Cleaner" dialog box. Under Search Paths on the left side of the window, select the folder you want to scan for duplicate files. If you want to scan your entire computer, single-click "C:\" and click the blue arrow in the middle of the screen. If you only want to scan one folder, single-click on that folder in the list. Click the "Go" button on the bottom left side of the screen and the scan will begin. The scan will take a few minutes to complete. A progress bar opens in the middle of the screen.

3. Click the "Selection Assistant" button at the bottom of the window when the scan is finished. Make your selections of the files you want to delete and click the "Go" button at the bottom of the window. The duplicates files will be removed, and you will be returned to the main screen when it is finished.

References

• Windows: Eliminate Duplicate Files

Resources

• Duplicate Finder
• Duplicate Cleaner
• Easy Duplicate Finder