Efficiently Remove Duplicate Photos on Windows 11

Sorcim Technologies (pvt) Ltd Official Duplicate Images, Similar Images, Windows

Finding and deleting similar photos on your hard drive can be a tedious task, especially when you have to sift through thousands of images manually. These duplicates or near-duplicates can quickly pile on, leading to a disorganized photo collection, using up several gigabytes of storage space on your computer. For this reason, utilizing the top duplicate photo discovery and uninstaller software is the quickest and most secure method to free up some disk space of duplicate photos and maintain a pristine photo collection.

Manually scanning through albums in search of duplicate photos is difficult and time-consuming. Using a dedicated duplicate photo cleaner and remover tool can perform this task for you quickly and efficiently. 

Why Does Windows 11 Have Similar Photos?

  • Multiple versions of the same file are saved for backup purposes.
  • The identical file is frequently downloaded.
  • A variety of similar images are downloaded at random.
  • The same image is repeatedly exchanged between users.

Now that the cause for the formation of duplicate photos is clear, let’s look for a solution on how to remove these duplicate images.

PictureEcho – the Best Similar Image Finder for Windows 11

PictureEcho is a program that can search for similar pictures across several storage mediums, including local drives, external drives, the cloud, and even a local area network. The exact steps to begin the scanning process involves selecting the target location, selecting the scan mode (exact duplicates or comparable photos), and hitting the ‘initiate’ button. 

There are four options for comparing scans of similar photos, and the software lets users input several places for a single scan. Users can then delete or back up individual photographs based on their preferences after viewing previews and metadata for all discovered images.

There is a dedicated scan mode in PictureEcho for the Adobe Lightroom library. Users can choose a catalog to scan the same way they scan their computer system. The way PictureEcho works to find similar pictures is as follows:

  1. Open the PictureEcho program.
  2. To add the directory or disk in which you want to search for duplicate photographs, select the “Add Path” option.
  3. Choose “Similar Match” from the Scan Mode menu.
  4. Click the “Similarity Settings” link to access the Settings menu.
  5.  Click OK after selecting your preferred scan mode.
  6.  Select the picture types in the “Included Extensions” tab to scan for.
  7. In the “Excluded Folders” section, you can specify which folders should not be included in the scan.
  8. You can see a preview of the images found during the scan by checking the “Show Preview” box.
  9. Select “Start Search” to initiate the search.
  10. The related photographs will be grouped and listed when the scan is complete.
  11.  To remove or save only certain copies of an image, use the “Select Duplicates” drop-down menu at the bottom of the checkboxes next to the images’ names.
  12. Click the “Select Action” button to remove or transfer the selected photos permanently.

That’s it! You have successfully used PictureEcho to locate similar images.

Find Duplicate Photos Manually in Windows 11

Windows 11, the latest version of Microsoft’s operating system, comes with a fresh design and new features to help users manage their files more efficiently. However, finding duplicate photos manually can still be a time-consuming task. In this guide, we will walk you through the process of identifying and deleting duplicate images in Windows 11 without using third-party software. 

Step 1: Organize Your Photos

Before you start looking for duplicate photos, it is essential to organize your images by creating a folder structure that makes sense to you. You can group your photos by date, event, or subject, making it easier to spot duplicates.

Step 2: Use File Explorer

  1. Open File Explorer by clicking on the folder icon located in the taskbar.
  2. Navigate to the folder where you store your photos.
  3. In the upper-right corner of the File Explorer window, click on the ‘View’ tab.
  4. Select the ‘Large icons’ or ‘Extra large icons’ option to make it easier to visually compare the images.
  5. Sort the files by either ‘Name’ or ‘Date’ to group similar images together. To do this, right-click on any empty space within the folder and choose ‘Sort by.’ Then, pick either ‘Name’ or ‘Date.’

Step 3: Manually Scan for Duplicate Photos

Carefully go through your photos, looking for duplicates. Pay attention to images that appear similar but may have slight differences in name, date, or size. Keep in mind that this process might be time-consuming, especially if you have a large collection of photos.

Step 4: Delete Duplicate Photos

  1. Once you have identified a duplicate photo, click on it to select it. To select multiple duplicates, hold down the ‘Ctrl’ key and click on each file you want to delete.
  2. After selecting the duplicate photos, right-click on one of the highlighted files.
  3. In the context menu that appears, click ‘Delete.’ Alternatively, you can press the ‘Delete’ key on your keyboard.
  4. A confirmation prompt will appear, asking if you are sure you want to delete the selected files. Click ‘Yes’ to proceed with the deletion.

Tips for Reducing Similar Photos in Windows 11

  1. Use descriptive file names: When saving or renaming photos, use descriptive file names that include relevant information such as the date, event, or subject. This will make it easier to identify similar images and prevent you from accidentally saving multiple versions of the same photo.
  2. Consolidate edits: When editing photos, try to finalize your changes in one editing session rather than making multiple edits over time. This will reduce the chances of creating numerous similar images through incremental changes.
  3. Utilize built-in photo management tools: Windows 11’s Photos app has features like auto-enhance and basic editing options. By using these tools, you can ensure that all your photo edits are consistent, reducing the chances of generating multiple similar images.
  4. Be selective with filters and effects: When applying filters or effects to your photos, be mindful not to create multiple versions with different filters. Choose the best filter or effect for the image and save only that version.
  5. Delete unwanted images promptly: After taking a series of similar photos or editing an image, delete the unwanted or unnecessary versions immediately. This will help prevent your photo library from becoming cluttered with similar images.
  6. Use a similarity detection tool: If you have a large photo library, consider using a third-party tool that can detect and group similar images, such as PictureEcho. These tools can help you identify and manage similar photos more efficiently.

Final Thoughts

There are several  ways to deal with the issue of similar images on a Windows 11 PC. The process of locating and erasing near-duplicate images can be simplified with the help of a dedicated application like PictureEcho. It is possible, but time-consuming, to manually discover and remove similar photos. Tips for reducing similar photos include checking file transfers, organizing data, and using cloud services.