This guide will explain how to find and delete duplicate photos on your PC, smartphone, or tablet, using specific tools that automate the process. The goal is to free up space and organize your image collections efficiently.

This procedure is useful for anyone with a large number of photographs, especially if saved in multiple folders or devices. Removing duplicates allows you to optimize storage space and maintain an organized system.

The guide is structured in three main sections: how to delete duplicate photos on PC, smartphones and tablets, and on cloud services like Google Photos.

Prerequisites

To follow this guide and find and delete duplicate photos on your PC, you will need the following hardware and software requirements:

  • A computer with operating system Windows 11, macOS or Linux.
  • Internet access to download the necessary programs.
  • Sufficient disk space to perform scanning and cleaning operations.
  • Administrator rights to install software on your device.

How to delete duplicate photos on PC for free

Built-in functions

  • Click on the gear icon in the Start menu or right-click on the Start menu and select "Settings".
  • Go to "System" and then to "Storage".
  • Expand the list by pressing "Show more categories" to view the "Images" category.
  • Click on the "Images" box and then on the "View images" button.
  • Proceed with the deletion of duplicate files.
  • Enable the "Memory sensor" option to automatically free up space.
  • Access the "Cleanup tips" area and follow the instructions to delete duplicate files, unused files/apps, and temporary files.

dupeGuru (Windows/macOS/Linux)

  • Download dupeGuru from the official website.
  • For Windows, open the .exe file, click "Yes", select Italian language, and press "OK".
  • Click the "Next", "I accept", "Next" (twice) buttons, and then "Install".
  • Press "Close" and launch the program.
  • For Mac, extract the .zip file and open the file inside by right-clicking and selecting "Open" twice.
  • Select "Photos" as Application Mode and choose "Contents" from the "Scan type" dropdown menu.
  • Press "More options" to modify the default search settings.
  • Adjust the similarity level in the "Filter hardness" bar in the "General" tab.
  • Press the "+" button and indicate the folder to analyze, then press "Open".
  • Repeat the operation to add other folders.
  • At the end, select the duplicates and delete or move them using the dropdown menu.

Other solutions

  • For macOS, launch the Photos app, select "Duplicates" from the left panel, and use the "Merge" function to delete copies.
  • For Windows, download and install Auslogics Duplicate File Finder.

VERIFICATION AND TROUBLESHOOTING: How to test if it works and what to do if it fails

After following the steps to delete duplicate photos, it is important to verify that the process has been completed correctly and know how to act in case of problems.

Process verification

  • Manual check: Manually check some folders to ensure that duplicate photos have been deleted. You can do this by opening the folders and comparing the images.
  • Using the tool: Some programs, like dupeGuru, show a summary of deleted files. Check this section for a detailed report of the operations performed.
  • Disk space: Check the disk space before and after deleting duplicate photos. You can do this through Windows Settings (System > Storage) or using third-party tools.

Troubleshooting

  • Program does not detect duplicates: If the program does not find duplicates, make sure you have selected the correct folders and configured the scan settings appropriately. Try changing the "Filter hardness" settings in dupeGuru or other similar options in other programs.
  • Error during deletion: If the program fails to delete files, it may be due to insufficient permissions. Make sure you have administrator rights or close any programs that might block access to the files.
  • Program crashes or freezes: If the program crashes or freezes during scanning or deletion, try restarting the computer and repeating the operation. If the problem persists, consider using another program or contacting the software technical support.

If none of the described methods solve the problem, you might need to consider using alternative tools or consulting specialized forums for further suggestions.

Educational summary and call to practice

Now you are ready to put these skills into practice and free up valuable space on your device.

  • You have discovered how to use the built-in functions of Windows 11 to analyze and manage duplicate images.
  • You have learned to install and configure dupeGuru, a powerful open-source tool for searching and deleting duplicate files.
  • You have explored other solutions such as the Photos app for macOS and Auslogics Duplicate File Finder for Windows.

Now that you know the necessary steps, take the time to apply these techniques to your system. Start with a folder of photographs and carefully follow the steps described. Remember, precision and patience are key to achieving the best results.

Good work and good order in your photo collections!

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