Stop Duplicate Files from Accumulating on your Device

On several occasions, multiple copies of similar data – such as photos, videos, documents, and other files – are saved in your local storage space or any other location. Few duplicate copies are not a bad influence, but over time identical data clutters your system and affects your system performance, storage space will be full, and risk of losing your data.

A question may have come to your mind: how come there are so many duplicate files on my computer and how can I get rid of them? Don’t worry, here you will get all the answers related to this topic, so sit tight and read to the end.

How Does Duplicate File Pile up in Hard Drive

Duplicate data doesn’t just appear out of nowhere, they build up over time without you realizing it. So, the reason behind this phenomenon is difficult to identify, but there are some factors that cause this issue, and we have mentioned them.

• Downloading the same file again and again is the most common reason for having identical data in your folders or on your hard drive.
• In some cases backing up your data or automatic archive can create duplicate files. Because they copied your files over and over, not deleting the previous one.
• The habit of copying one file and placing it in other locations can also be the reason for duplicate files.
• Applications like Google Drive, OneDrive, or Dropbox sync your data into devices. Sometimes, syncing errors could create data duplicates.
• File duplication also occurs due to the editing and saving of your files in different versions with the same or slightly different names. For example, test, test-2, etc.

So these are the common factors that lead to the issue of file duplication. There can be other causes but you now know how duplicate data is being created.

Issues Caused by Duplicate Files

Before we go to the methods to prevent duplicate files. We should first understand the problems you may face when your computer piles up multiple similar-looking items.

• Taking your Disk Space: Duplicate file is the common reason for the issue of disk space full. These similar-looking data, take the space of your storage and prevent you from saving new files or items. If that is the case, then check your disk space usage regularly to find duplicate files.
• Reduce Productivity: If your hard drive is clean and there are no duplicate files in your computer. Then, your work will be done very well. But, if the scenario is the opposite, where duplicate data takes up a lot of space. Then, it will be stressful to find your files and work with them. Thus, identical data also affect your productivity and quality of work.
• System Slow Down: Having identical copies of your data slows down your computer speed and affects the system response. This is all because of the duplicate files on your hard drive. That’s why it is important to get rid of this data.
• Take a lot of time to Backup: Whether you are backing up in your cloud services or your computer. It will take time to backup when you have duplicate files because the system also stores identical copies with other data, so this process will be time-consuming.

Here are the major issues you will face when your computer contains duplicate files. So, to avoid these problems. There are many preventive tips that can stop duplicate files from accumulating on your computer.

How to Avoid Duplicate Files?

Preventing duplicate files from piling up on your computer is easier and much more effective than cleaning them up later. There are various smart tips and tricks available on the internet that help you restrict duplicate files from gathering in your storage space.

1. Organize your Hard Drive: Instead of dumping all your files in Download or Desktop folders. Create separate folders with names and categorize your files and data into appropriate folders.
2. Make a Habit of Naming your Files: Naming your files is an important practice to not only manage your data but also in these situations. This way you can easily determine your duplicate files.
3. Check Files Before Downloading them: Redownloading the same file is one of the causes of duplicate files. So, before downloading the file, check if you already have the files or not. For this, take the help of the computer search function.
4. Sync Cloud Services Properly: Before syncing your Google Drive and other cloud services on your computer. Make sure the settings of synchronization are correct. Do this, to prevent duplicate files because of syncing errors.
5. Don’t Do Backup Over and Over: backing up your system is important, but doing this every time can create copies of your files. So, avoid unnecessary backup, if you want you can use incremental tools to save the changed data.

Follow these steps and you can stop the duplicate file and also organize your files. Although you can use these techniques to prevent duplicate files, there is no guarantee that they permanently stop them. If you follow these precautions, still similar-looking data is stored on your hard drive. Then, only one option is left which is to use a professional tool to find and delete these identical data.

Concluding Words

We learned how duplicate files can cause you problems and how they accumulate in your computer. We provide various steps to prevent duplicate files on your PC and then suggest a way to find and delete identical files from your hard drive. If you have any queries related to this topic, feel free to contact us. Our support service is available 24/7.