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Editors’ Review
Duplicate Cleaner targets the clutter that elevated file management — photos, music, videos, and documents that silently multiply. Using regular mode for byte-accurate checks and image mode for look-alike pictures, mapping duplicates with precision, then lets users choose safe actions like removal, copying, or archiving without touching protected system areas.
Across media libraries and mixed archives, Duplicate Cleaner scales its matching to metadata and content. Audio mode uses tags or waveform slices, while video mode compares frames or soundtracks to flag copies. It can also scan inside ZIP files, so clutter is buried in backup surfaces for review.
Fast, accurate deduplication with safeguards
Duplicate Cleaner’s core mechanics lean on find files with the same content using MD5/SHA/xxHash or byte-to-byte checks to ensure accuracy. For near-duplicates, match similar images handles rotated or resized photos; match by audio tags groups tracks by artist, album, and more; and match by video frames spots duplicate footage, making one pass that scales across large drives without micromanaging file types, and stays responsive even on sprawling libraries.
Workflow is streamlined by selection assistant, which marks files by rule — newest, oldest, smallest, or outside a master folder — so cleanup isn’t guesswork. Security nets include protected folders and pre-delete checks, with options to recycle, move, or copy instead of purge. Power users can hard-link files to de-duplicate storage without breaking references, keeping projects intact while space is reclaimed, and find duplicate folders reveals copied directory trees for one-click decisions.
Precision comes from other match criteria — name, extension, size, and date tolerances that refine results without over-scanning. Add search filters to limit by type or range, and use virtual folders to compare snapshots when the original storage isn’t connected. Compared with tools like dupeGuru, CCleaner’s Duplicate Finder, or Auslogics, the breadth of modes and safeguards here better suits large, mixed libraries. Operations remain predictable and reversible throughout cleanup.
Pros
- Accurate content and media matching across large libraries
- Rule-based selection speeds safe cleanup flows
- Safety nets reduce risk of accidental deletes
Cons
- Advanced modes require time to tune criteria
- Hard links and master-folder workflows need expertise
- Video and image comparisons can extend scan times
Bottom Line
Reliable duplicate cleanup built for scale
Duplicate Cleaner stands out for precise matching, flexible selection, and strong safety nets across huge libraries. With multi-mode scanning, rule-based marking, and options that avoid risky deletes, it reduces storage waste without breaking workflows. For teams or power users balancing accuracy and speed, this is an easy recommendation for maintaining tidy, predictable file sets. It also handles images, audio, and video alongside archives, keeping oversight clear during review.
What’s new in version 4.1.2
- Added AVIF image file support
- Thumbnails can display file size in non-image modes
- Open multiple selected files in external viewers
- Image mode gained color-histogram matching and pixel-tolerance options
Used Duplicate Cleaner for Windows? Share your experience and help other users.
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