How to Search for Duplicate Files in Windows Explorer
Finding duplicate files on your Windows computer can be a daunting task, especially when you have a large number of files stored in various folders. Duplicate files can take up unnecessary disk space and can also slow down your computer’s performance. In this article, we will guide you through the process of searching for duplicate files using Windows Explorer. By following these simple steps, you can efficiently identify and delete duplicate files to free up valuable disk space and improve your computer’s speed.
Step 1: Open Windows Explorer
To begin, open Windows Explorer by clicking on the folder icon on your taskbar or pressing the Windows key + E on your keyboard.
Step 2: Navigate to the desired folder
In Windows Explorer, navigate to the folder where you suspect duplicate files might be stored. You can expand the folder tree on the left-hand side to access subfolders.
Step 3: Enable the “Show hidden files, folders, and drives” option
To make sure you don’t miss any hidden duplicate files, click on the “View” tab at the top of the window. Then, click on “Options” and select “Change folder and search options.” In the “View” tab of the Folder Options window, check the box for “Show hidden files, folders, and drives” and click “OK.”
Step 4: Use the search filter
In the search box at the top-right corner of the Windows Explorer window, type “properties” and press Enter. This will filter the search results to show only the files with properties. Now, in the search box, type “size: >0” and press Enter. This will display all non-empty files in the selected folder.
Step 5: Sort the files by size
Right-click on any file in the search results and select “Sort by” > “Size.” This will sort the files by their size, making it easier to identify large files that may be duplicates.
Step 6: Identify duplicate files
Now, carefully examine the files in the sorted list. Look for files with the same name and size. If you find two or more files with the same name and size, they are likely duplicates.
Step 7: Delete duplicate files
To delete the duplicate files, right-click on the first file and select “Delete.” Confirm the deletion when prompted. Repeat this process for all the duplicate files you have identified.
Step 8: Clean up the Recycle Bin
After deleting the duplicate files, it’s a good idea to empty the Recycle Bin to permanently remove the files from your computer. Right-click on the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop and select “Empty Recycle Bin.”
By following these steps, you can effectively search for and delete duplicate files in Windows Explorer. This will help you manage your disk space and maintain a cleaner, more organized computer.
