Finding duplicate files in Windows 11 isn’t exactly a walk in the park, mate. Sure, you can open up File Explorer and start clicking around, but let’s be honest—manual checks can be slow and not super reliable when you’ve got a heap of clutter. And sometimes, just typing in the search bar doesn’t catch everything, especially if files have different names but are the same in content.
A quick tip that works for most blokes and sheilas is to use the built-in search in File Explorer, but to get the best results, you’ll want to dig into sorting and filtering. For example, after searching for common file types like .mp4 or .jpg, sort the results by Name or Size. That way, files with the same name or similar size will stand out more easily. It’s not foolproof, but on one setup it’s handy enough. On another… not so much. Windows’ search can be a bit flaky sometimes, depending on how your files are organised.
If that’s still not doing the trick, you might want to grab something like Duplicate Cleaner or CCleaner—they’re pretty popular and actually do a good job at finding duplicates automatically. Make sure to download from their official sites so you avoid dodgy sources, then install ‘em. These tools scan your entire drive for byte-for-byte duplicates, even if the files are named differently. They usually let you compare by content, size, and date modified, so you don’t accidentally toss out something important.
Once the scan’s finished, you’ll get a list of potential duplicates. Here’s where you need to be careful. Review each one — don’t just delete everything with the same size or name, because sometimes you need multiple versions of a document or photo. Most of these tools let you select groups or individual files, then delete or move ‘em. Be prepared for a bit of trial and error until you get the hang of it. Sometimes, on slower machines, the scan might hang or take ages, especially if you’ve got a mountain of files — patience is key.
And don’t forget — always back up before doing a big delete. Windows can be a bit cheeky about this, and deleting duplicates without a safety net might stuff things up. A quick backup — even just copying files to an external drive or uploading to the cloud — can save you a headache down the track.
Another handy tip — check for duplicates regularly, especially if you’re always downloading or copying files. Setting a monthly reminder could save you some hassle. Also, try to avoid creating duplicates in the first place: keep files organised in folders, use cloud storage links, or set your default save locations to stay tidy.
If you’re short on time, running a dedicated scan now and then helps keep your storage under control. And don’t forget the basics: sorting and filtering in File Explorer or playing around with those third-party tools is usually faster and safer than manually hunting through folders.
If nothing’s working, keep in mind some duplicates might be hiding in different folders or stored in hidden locations, which Windows’ search might miss. In those cases, a specialised utility or some command line wizardry could do the trick.
Talking about command line, advanced users sometimes run robocopy or PowerShell scripts to spot duplicates based on file hashes or attributes. But that’s a whole different ballgame—more complicated and can get pretty confusing fast.
Hopefully, this guide helps you save a few hours or at least makes the job a bit easier when you see that dreaded “storage almost full” message. It’s worked on a few machines here — good luck!
Summary
- Open File Explorer and search for common file types
- Sort by name or size to spot duplicates quicker
- Grab reputable duplicate finders like Duplicate Cleaner or CCleaner
- Review duplicates carefully before deleting or moving
- Back up before doing a mass delete — can’t be too careful
If this little guide gets an update or two, all the better — happy cleaning, mate!