How to Manage Duplicate Photos on Windows 10
Got duplicate photos cluttering up your Windows 10? It’s not just about organising your photo library — it’s a real space-saver too. There’s a sensible way to handle it, and once you get the hang of it, it’s far less painful than you might think. If your collection has become a jumble of repeated images and mishmash of duplicates, tidying it up can free up quite a few gigabytes.
Start with File Explorer
Open File Explorer — the main tool for managing your files on Windows. Click the folder icon on your taskbar, or just press Windows key + E. Navigate to where your photos are stored — it’s pretty straightforward.
Get Sorting to Spot Duplicates
Inside your photo folder, set things up to spot duplicates. Click the View tab at the top, and choose how you want to sort — by name or date. Sorting by name groups similar images together, making duplicates easier to spot. Alternatively, sorting by date can help you find images downloaded or saved around the same time, which might be duplicates.
Identifying Look-Alikes
Once sorted, take a good look. Remember, duplicates aren’t always exact copies — they might differ in size or file format. It’s worth checking closely, especially after multiple downloads or backups. Keep an eye out for images that look even remotely similar.
Select the Files to Remove
When you find duplicates, select them by holding down Ctrl while clicking each one. This way, you can choose multiple photos at once — much easier than selecting individually. Just be careful not to delete anything you want to keep.
Deleting the Joins: Remove the Duplicates
Once selected, hit the Delete key or right-click and choose Delete. The files will go to the Recycle Bin, giving you a safety net just in case. To permanently remove them, right-click the Recycle Bin and select Empty Recycle Bin. Regularly doing this keeps your photo collection tidy and stops it turning into a digital landfill.
Advanced Options: Use Software to Do the Heavy Lifting
If you’re dealing with a large photo library and it feels overwhelming, it might be worth trying specialised software. Apps like Microsoft Photos have a feature under Settings > Manage duplicates that simplifies finding and removing duplicates. Or go for dedicated tools such as Duplicate Cleaner or Viber Media Duplicate Photo Finder. They can scan your folders quickly, saving you from tedious manual work.
Just a heads-up: Before using third-party apps, back up your photos first — either on an external drive or upload to the cloud with OneDrive (located at C:\Users\YourName\OneDrive). Better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your memories.
Extra Tips to Make It Easier:
- To scan for duplicates, open your chosen software, select your photo folders, and hit the scan button. Some programmes even give you options to ignore similar images.
- Set up regular scans or link them to your backup routines — it’s a hassle-free way to keep your collection tidy without lifting a finger.
Quick Commands & Settings
- Open File Explorer: Windows key + E
- Find your Pictures folder: Libraries > Pictures
- Select all photos at once:
Ctrl + A - Delete selected photos: Delete and then Empty Recycle Bin
- Manage storage: Settings > System > Storage
- Sync your OneDrive Photos: Settings > Accounts > Sync your settings
Yes, manually sorting out duplicates can be a bit of a chore, but it pays off — your photo collection becomes much easier to manage. It’s not just about keeping things neat; it’s about making space for new memories without running out of room when your library gets crowded.
- Have you opened File Explorer?
- Sorted and spotted the duplicates?
- Selected the ones to delete?
- Emptied the Recycle Bin?
- Used a specialised tool if it all felt too much?
Nothing beats the feeling of decluttering. Hopefully, this makes it a little easier for someone out there to keep their photo library in check.