How to Find Duplicate Photos on Windows 10

Duplicate photos pile up from phone imports, backups and downloads, wasting gigabytes. Windows 10 doesn’t have a dedicated duplicate-photo finder, but you can spot exact copies with File Explorer, find byte-identical files with a free PowerShell command, or use a free tool that also catches resized and edited versions. This guide covers each option and how to delete duplicates safely.

Quick Answer

For a quick check, open the folder in File Explorer, switch to Details view, and sort by Size; identical photos sit next to each other with the same size and date. For large libraries, use a free duplicate finder, or the PowerShell hash command in Method 2 to list exact copies.

Method 1: File Explorer

1. Open the photos folder. To search subfolders too, type *.jpg (or kind:picture) in the search box.
2. Click View > Details.
3. Click the Size column header to sort. Right-click the header to add Date taken and Dimensions.
4. Look for neighbors with the same size, date taken and dimensions, often with names like “IMG_2188 (1).jpg” or “copy.”
5. Switch to Large icons to compare visually before deleting.

Method 2: PowerShell (Exact Duplicates)

This lists files with identical content, even if names differ. Replace the path with your folder:

Get-ChildItem "C:\Users\Alex\Pictures" -Recurse -File -Include *.jpg,*.jpeg,*.png,*.heic |
  Get-FileHash -Algorithm MD5 |
  Group-Object Hash | Where-Object Count -gt 1 |
  ForEach-Object { $_.Group | Select-Object Path }

It only lists files; nothing is deleted. Large libraries can take a while. Review the list, then delete copies yourself.

Method 3: Free Duplicate Finder Tools

Dedicated tools compare images visually, so they catch resized, compressed or slightly edited duplicates that sizes and hashes miss. Well-known free options include dupeGuru (Picture mode), Awesome Duplicate Photo Finder and VisiPics. Download only from the official sites, and decline any bundled offers during installation.

1. Add the folders to scan.
2. Choose exact or similar matching.
3. Review the side-by-side results and mark copies to remove.
4. Move them to a folder or the Recycle Bin rather than deleting permanently.

Method 4: Cloud Photo Services

Google Photos skips uploading exact duplicates, and many cloud services show similar photos together, which makes cleanup easier. See getting Google Photos onto your computer.

Delete Duplicates Safely

• Back up first, or move suspected duplicates to a temporary folder for a week before deleting.
• Keep the highest-quality version (largest dimensions and file size).
• Watch for RAW + JPG pairs from cameras; they’re not duplicates if you edit RAW files.
• Live Photos from iPhones come as a HEIC image and a MOV clip; keep both if you want the motion.
• Empty the Recycle Bin only when you’re sure.

Prevent Future Duplicates

• Import photos from your phone to one folder, and use the import tool’s option to skip previously imported items.
• Don’t sync the same photos with several cloud services to the same PC.
• Organize by year and month folders.

For freeing more space, see how to free up disk space on Windows.

Also check for big videos and archives. See finding large files on Windows 10.

See also how to unsync Google Photos.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Windows Photos app find duplicates?

The built-in Photos app doesn’t include a dedicated duplicate finder in most versions; use the methods above.

Is MD5 reliable for finding duplicates?

For spotting identical files on your own PC, yes. Different photos practically never share a hash.

Does this work on Windows 11?

Yes. Windows 10 reached end of support on October 14, 2025.

Summary

1. Sort by size in File Explorer’s Details view for quick checks.
2. Use the PowerShell hash command for exact copies.
3. Use a free visual duplicate finder for similar photos.
4. Back up and review before deleting.