How to Find and Delete Duplicate Files in Windows 10

Windows 10 doesn’t have a built-in duplicate file finder. To spot copies, open the folder in File Explorer, select View > Details, and sort by Name or Size so copies line up next to each other. To find exact copies in a whole folder, run a PowerShell command that compares each file’s hash. Check each copy before you delete it.

Applies to: Windows 10. Keep in mind that Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025. Security updates now come only through the Extended Security Updates program, which stops on October 12, 2027.

Find duplicates in File Explorer

1. Open File Explorer and go to the folder you want to check.
2. Select the View tab, then Details.
3. Select the Name or Size column heading to sort the files. Copies often have names like report – Copy.docx or photo (1).jpg.

4. To check subfolders too, type - Copy or (1) in the search box at the top right.

A matching name doesn’t always mean matching content. Compare Size and Date modified, or open both files. Windows file search can help you track down other copies by name.

Find exact copies with PowerShell

PowerShell can compare every file’s hash. Files with the same hash are exact copies, even if their names are different.

1. Right-click Start and select Windows PowerShell.
2. Run this command. Change the folder path to the one you want to check:

Get-ChildItem "C:\Users\Alex\Pictures" -File -Recurse | Get-FileHash | Group-Object Hash | Where-Object Count -gt 1 | ForEach-Object { $_.Group.Path; "" }

3. Each group of paths, with a blank line after it, is one set of identical files.

The command only lists files. It doesn’t delete anything. A big folder can take a few minutes. Hashes are also used for checking a SHA256 checksum on a download.

Check only big files or one file type

To focus on files that free the most space, check only large ones. This version looks at files over 50 MB:

• Get-ChildItem "C:\Users\Alex\Videos" -File -Recurse | Where-Object Length -gt 50MB | Get-FileHash | Group-Object Hash | Where-Object Count -gt 1 | ForEach-Object { $_.Group.Path; "" }

To check only photos, replace the part before Get-FileHash with Get-ChildItem "C:\Users\Alex\Pictures" -Recurse -Include *.jpg,*.png,*.heic. Smaller searches finish much faster.

Delete the extra copies

• Keep one copy of each file, and delete the others in File Explorer. They go to the Recycle Bin, so you can get them back from the Recycle Bin.
• Don’t delete copies inside the Windows, Program Files or AppData folders. Apps may need them.
• Empty the Recycle Bin when you’re sure, to free up the space. More ways to free up space on Windows 10 can help if the drive is still full.

Where duplicates usually hide

• Downloads, where the same file is saved again with (1) or (2) added to its name.
• Phone backups and photo imports, which can copy the same pictures every time you connect.
• Desktop and Documents copies of the same file kept “just in case”.
• OneDrive and a local folder holding the same files if you moved them before turning on OneDrive.

Use a duplicate finder app for big collections

The methods above work well for a few folders, but for thousands of photos or a whole drive, a dedicated app is quicker. When you pick one, check that it:

• Compares file contents (often called hash or byte-by-byte), not just names and sizes.
• Shows a preview so you can see which copy you’re keeping.
• Can automatically keep one copy in each group, such as the oldest or the one in a chosen folder.
• Sends deleted files to the Recycle Bin instead of erasing them.

Install it from the Microsoft Store or the developer’s own website, and skip any app that bundles extra software or asks for payment before showing results. Some apps can also find similar photos, like burst shots or edited versions, which aren’t exact duplicates, so check those by eye before deleting.

Stop new duplicates from piling up

• In your browser’s download settings, turn on Ask where to save each file so you notice when you download something twice.
• When importing from a phone in the Photos app, import only new items rather than everything on the phone.
• Keep one main copy of your files in OneDrive or one folder, and use shortcuts instead of copies on the desktop.

Troubleshooting

• PowerShell shows “Access to the path is denied”. Some system folders are protected. Add -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue after -Recurse, or check only your own folders.
• OneDrive starts downloading lots of files. Hashing an online-only file downloads it first. Run the command on folders that are already on your PC, or stop it with Ctrl + C.
• The command takes very long. Check one folder at a time, or limit it to large files or one file type as shown above.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a duplicate finder app built into Windows 10?

No. Other companies make duplicate finder apps. Only download one from a publisher you trust, and check the list before it deletes anything.

How do I find duplicate photos?

Use the same steps in your Pictures folder. The PowerShell command finds exact copies only. An edited or resized copy of a photo is a different file, so compare those by looking at them.

Why do I have files named “- Copy” or “(1)”?

Windows adds – Copy when you copy a file into the same folder. Browsers add (1) when you download the same file again.

Do duplicate files slow down my PC?

Not directly. They waste storage space, which only matters when the drive is nearly full. Removing them mainly frees space and makes files easier to find.

When two folders look alike, you can compare the two folders to see what is different.

The PowerShell commands used here are documented as Get-FileHash and Group-Object.

On a newer PC, the same ideas apply when you delete duplicate files in Windows 11.