How to find and delete duplicate files on Mac

How to find and delete duplicate files on Mac

Over time, our hard drives can accumulate a large collection of duplicate files that take up space and can even slow down the performance of a . Finding and deleting them can be time-consuming if you try to do it one by one, so in this article we show you quicker ways to cleanse your system of these delinquent doppelgngers. For more ways to spruce up your computer, try reading our feature. In most cases these will be mistaken downloads (clicking on a link twice), music files that you've added to iTunes but which still have the originals stored on your disk, Mail attachments, plus a number of other possibilities. Unless you're fastidious in the use of your Mac, duplicates are going to turn up one way or another. It is possible to locate duplicate files on your system by using the Smart Folders feature in Finder. The process involves opening the app then navigating to File>New Smart Folder, then clicking on the '+' button in the upper right corner. Now you can search for documents, photos, music, or several other files types. The key is on how you sort the results. Ordering them by name should bring up any duplicates that are easy to spot. While this is doable, it's far from ideal. The time spent ploughing through the long list of files could all be better spent by visiting the app store and buying software that will do they process for your instead. There are a number of duplicate file finders on the Mac App Store which will automatically search your system and recommend file doubles that can be removed. Many are free, including , , and . Most offer similar features, in that you ask the app to scan your hard drive, then are presented with a list of duplicates, accompanied by the original file so you know which ones are safe to delete. Usually you'll have to move to a paid version for advanced features such as deleting duplicate folders, hidden files, and similar functions. One of our favourite apps, and one with a good level of positive feedback from customers, is Gemini 2: The Duplicate Finder, that can be found for or . While the name might be more in keeping with a dystopian sci-fi novel, the app is a powerful tool for your Mac. Not only can it find doubles of any files on your hard drive, but it also searches external drives and cloud storage services such as Google Drive and Dropbox. All this is accompanied by the ability to immediately replace any accidentally deleted files. All of the apps listed above will certainly clear up some space on your Mac, and you can always start with the free ones then move up to a paid version later if you find the features useful. For more decluttering tips be sure to read our feature.