inherently, Windows operating system tends to create duplicate files of the files you use. Reason why, you can detect that your PC has stored the same file twice.
This is one of the main reasons why you have less space on your computer. Indeed, it is important that choose to get rid of those duplicate files or photosin order to free up space.
That is why, in this post, we will teach you step by step what you have to do to delete duplicate files or photos in Windows 10. Either manually or using a powerful tool.
Why should you remove duplicate photos from Windows 10?
Over time, Windows stores duplicate files that take up unnecessary space on your hard drive. Mainly, when creating backup copies that are saved in different locations on the disk or partition. However, it is useless to collect the same file or photo twice on your PC.
Taking into account that the fact of deleting all those duplicate elements allows you to enjoy a series of benefits that are summarized in:
- Raise team performance: When there is less data stored, RAM memory operates more efficiently because it has to process less information. Also, the hard drive has to work less frequently, it helps the heatsinks and other cooling components.
- Optimize user privacyNote: If you have duplicate photos or files on your PC that you’d rather no one else see, you may mistakenly assume that you’ve already deleted them without realizing there’s another copy there. But, by removing them, there is no risk of this happening.
- Improve file organization: It is also ideal to further organize the files hosted on the computer and this, at the same time, allows you to be more productive when choosing the photo or file you need to use.
Learn how to remove duplicate photos and files from Windows 10
exist Two methods available to delete any duplicate photo or file on a Windows 10 PC.
Next, we will explain each of them:
manually
The advantage of using this method is that you do not have to install a third-party tool to be able to do it. But, the truth is that it requires a greater effort on the part of the user.
Here, we show you the steps to delete a duplicate photo or file in Windows 10 manually:
- Access the folder hosted on your computerin which you have detected a duplicate element.
- After, select one of the two files/photos that are repeated.
- right click on it and in the options menu, click on “Delete”; automatically, it will be sent to the Recycle Bin.
With Duplicate Cleaner
Is a free program compatible with Windows 10 which is responsible for filtering by name, date, type and size the different files on your computer and at the same time, is able to remove duplicate files quickly. The best thing is that it is very easy to handle.
Here, we show you the steps to follow to use Duplicate Cleaner and delete any duplicate files on your PC:
- Download the software Duplicate Cleaner online.
Download Duplicate Cleaner for Windows
- Next, open the program from your Windows 10 PC.
- from the top, click on “Duplicate files” and the tool will show you which are the repeated files; there you must select them one by one.
- Now, go to the File Deletion section, clicking on the icon that has a trash can.
- Finally, choose the options you require and click on “Delete files” to delete the files you have selected.
Best programs to remove duplicate files from Windows 10
As well as Duplicate Cleaner, exist other software compatible with Windows 10 which help to delete duplicate files on the computer in an effective way.
Here are 5 of the best programs for it:
anti-twin
Is a free tool and in Spanish which has the ability to locate duplicate files and offers the user two options: Delete them directly or send them to the recycle bin for review. In addition, it allows you to preview the photos from the same program.
Download Anti Twin for Windows
CloneSpy
Another of the most optimal programs to delete photos and duplicate files in Windows 10. Which, in addition to eliminating all kinds of elements, manages to find those files that are very similar (even if they do not match 100%) and from there, users can see all the details in case there are two versions.
Download Clone Spy for Windows
Double killer
Is a portable program and does not require installation, is which searches for duplicates on the hard drive of your Windows 10 PC or in a specific folder that you have chosen. Additionally, it allows search and compare files by means of different filters (name, size, date, format, checksums, etc.).
Download Double Killer for Windows
visi pics
One of the fastest software when it comes to delete all the photos that are duplicated on your PC. Despite exhibiting a somewhat outdated interface, the truth is that it works perfectly and is practical for users who simply want to easily delete all duplicate photos in Windows 10, without having to do it one by one.
Download Visi Pics for Windows
AllDup
Another of the most popular is AllDup, which mainly distinguished by its speed when scanning everything on your computer to locate the duplicate files. This, thanks to the fact that it supports different file formats to compare them with each other; be it documents, images and even songs.
Download AllDup for Windows
Other actions to optimize your Windows 10 PC
If you want optimize your PC to the maximumin addition to removing duplicate files, you must also perform other actions in order to improve system performance.
Among our recommendations, we highlight the following:
Defragment disk
Is a procedure that establishes order on the surface of the hard drive or hard drive of computers. Thus, it takes care of generating more free space available for recover wasted memory and in the same way, increase the useful life of the hard disk.
To defrag hard drive in Windows 10, users need to complete the following step by step:
- From the W10 Start button and in the search bar, type “Defrag” Y Click on the “Defragment and Optimize Drives” application.
- Next, select the hard drive you prefer to defrag and Press the “Analyze” button on the bottom.
- Next, click “Optimize” to proceed to defrag the hard drive and the application will take care of everything else.
hard drive maintenance
To prolong the operation of your digital sections, the hard disk maintenance It’s very important. Well, if it is done periodically, it will help prevent possible failures and data loss. There are two ways to perform hard drive maintenance on your PC. The first of them, is known as “hard drive maintenance” and is based on conserving the physical part of it.
Either with a good fan cooling system and an optimal climatic context, as well as through general care preventing falls or bumps. On the other hand, the hard drive software maintenance lies in avoiding overworking the disk from an excessive number of files. Like, defragmenting the hard drive regularly, although Windows 10 does it automatically without you noticing..
Clean temporary files
Temporary files are those that have been stored by the operating system to execute certain operations and over time, they end up accumulating without any use on the PC. Therefore, to free up some internal storage, it is recommended to clean these types of files.
Next, we explain the steps to follow to delete temporary files from your W10:
- Go to the Windows Settings menu and click on “System”.
- On the left side, select the option “Storage” and then click on the category “Temporary files”.
- Next, you have to check the types of temporary files you want to delete. For example: Temporary Internet Files, Download, Recycle Bin, Previous Windows Versions, etc.
- By last, click on “Remove files” to start deleting all selected files.