Introduction
Finding duplicate files in Windows 10 can be a tedious task, especially if you have a large number of files stored on your computer. While there are several software programs available that can help you with this task, you may prefer to find duplicate files without using any additional software. In this article, we will explore different methods to find duplicate files in Windows 10 without relying on third-party software.
Using File Explorer
One way to find duplicate files in Windows 10 is by using the built-in File Explorer. Here’s how you can do it:
1. Open File Explorer by pressing the Windows key + E on your keyboard.
2. Navigate to the folder or drive where you want to search for duplicate files.
3. In the search bar at the top right corner of the File Explorer window, type the following command and press Enter: “name:~”*.*” size:>0″.
4. This command will display all the files in the selected folder or drive. Sort the files by name, size, or date modified to make it easier to identify duplicates.
5. Look for files with the same name and size. These are likely to be duplicates. You can delete the duplicates or move them to a different location to free up disk space.
Using Command Prompt
Another method to find duplicate files in Windows 10 is by using the Command Prompt. Here’s how you can do it:
1. Open the Command Prompt by pressing the Windows key + X and selecting “Command Prompt” from the menu.
2. Navigate to the folder or drive where you want to search for duplicate files. You can use the “cd” command followed by the path of the folder or drive.
3. Once you are in the desired location, type the following command and press Enter: “dir /s /b | sort /r | uniq -d”.
4. This command will display a list of duplicate files in the selected folder or drive. You can then decide what to do with the duplicates, such as deleting or moving them.
Using PowerShell
If you prefer a more advanced method, you can use PowerShell to find duplicate files in Windows 10. Here’s how:
1. Open PowerShell by pressing the Windows key + X and selecting “Windows PowerShell” from the menu.
2. Navigate to the folder or drive where you want to search for duplicate files using the “cd” command.
3. Once you are in the desired location, type the following command and press Enter: “Get-ChildItem -Recurse | Group-Object -Property Length, Name | Where-Object { $_.Count -gt 1 } | Select-Object -ExpandProperty Group”.
4. This command will display a list of duplicate files in the selected folder or drive. You can then take appropriate actions to manage the duplicates.
Conclusion
While there are many software programs available to find duplicate files in Windows 10, you can also accomplish this task without using any additional software. By utilizing the built-in features of File Explorer, Command Prompt, or PowerShell, you can easily identify and manage duplicate files on your computer. Whether you choose to delete or move the duplicates, this process can help you free up valuable disk space and keep your files organized.
References
– Microsoft Support: https://support.microsoft.com/
– How-To Geek: https://www.howtogeek.com/
