USB flash drives can accumulate duplicate files after being used across different devices. This guide explains how to find and delete duplicate files in a USB drive on Windows using File Explorer, MiniTool Partition Wizard, and dupeGuru.
Why Do Duplicate Files Appear on a USB Drive?
Duplicate files on a USB drive often appear during everyday file transfers and backups. Common causes include:
- Repeated file transfers: Copying the same files to a USB drive more than once can create additional copies.
- Repeated downloads: Downloading the same movie, song, or document from different sources may result in duplicate files.
- Keeping multiple copies: Choosing to keep both files during a copy operation can create additional copies with similar names.
Files with similar names are not necessarily duplicates, so check their contents before deleting them.
The following three methods show you how to find and delete duplicate files in a USB drive.
Method 1. Find and Delete Duplicate Files Using File Explorer
Windows File Explorer is the file management tool built into the Windows operating system, enabling users to browse, organize, search, copy, and delete files through a graphical interface. You can also use it to manually find duplicate files in a USB drive. Then, delete them directly.
Here is the guide:
Step 1: Connect the USB drive to your computer and then open it in Windows File Explorer. In the search box, type a file extension, and then all files of this type in the USB drive will be listed. Here are some common file extension types.
- For documents: DOCX, PDF, TXT, RTF, etc.
- For images: JPG/JPEG, PNG, GIF, TIFF, SVG, BMP, RAW, HEIC, etc.
- For audio files: MP3, AAC, M4A, WAV, FLAC, OGG, WMA, etc.
- For videos: MP4, MOV, WMV, MKV, AVI, WebM, FLV, F4V, etc.
- For archive files: ZIP, RAR, 7Z, TAR, ISO, GZ, etc.
Step 2: Sort these files by size. In most cases, duplicate files have the same file size. Find files with the same size and then open them to view the content. Once find the duplicate files, delete them directly.
- In Windows 11: Click Sort > More and select Size.
- In Windows 10: Go to the View tab. On the ribbon, click Sort by > Size.
Method 2. Delete Duplicate Files in a USB Drive with MiniTool Partition Wizard
If a USB drive contains many files, checking duplicates manually can be time-consuming. MiniTool Partition Wizard provides a Duplicate Cleaner feature that helps you scan a selected location for identical files, including files with different names.
Follow these steps to scan your USB drive and remove unwanted duplicates.
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Step 1: Connect the USB drive to your computer and launch MiniTool Partition Wizard. Then, note the drive letter of your USB drive and click Duplicate Cleaner on the toolbar.
Step 2: Under Scan Locations, remove all drives except for the USB drive. Then, click Scan Now.
2. To find duplicate files with different extensions, uncheck Compare files with identical extensions in Advanced Settings.
Step 3: This software will compare file hash values to find identical files, even if they have different filenames. All the duplicate files in the USB drive will be listed here. Expand these items, select the duplicate files, and then click Delete Selected Files.
Before deleting duplicate files, expand the result groups and check the full file paths. Keep at least one copy of each file you need, and choose the deletion option that matches your needs. If the USB drive contains important data, back it up before cleaning up duplicates.
Method 3. Find and Remove Duplicate Files with dupeGuru
DupeGuru is a cross-platform (Linux, OS X, Windows) GUI tool to find duplicate files. It excels at analyzing file names or content through fuzzy matching algorithms to identify and clean up duplicate music, pictures, and general documents in minutes. Here is the guide:
Step 1: Launch this software, and select Application Mode (Standard, Music, or Picture) and Scan Type (Contents is recommended). Then, click the plus icon at the bottom to add the USB drive. After that, click Scan.
Step 2: Check the Dupes Only option. Then, select all duplicate files and click Actions > Send Marked to Recycle Bin.
How to Prevent Duplicate Files on a USB Drive
To reduce duplicate files on a USB drive in the future, follow these practices:
- Check before copying: Review the destination folder before transferring files, especially when importing the same files from multiple devices.
- Organize files into folders: Use clear folder names and a consistent structure so you can find existing files more easily.
- Review backup and sync settings: Check whether repeated transfers or backups are creating additional copies.
- Scan for duplicates periodically: Use a duplicate file finder when the drive contains a large number of files.
If you suspect malware or unusual files on the USB drive, scan it with a trusted security tool. Formatting the drive should be a last resort because it removes the stored files and requires you to restore any data you want to keep.
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Delete Duplicate Files in A USB Drive FAQ
Bottom Line
This post explains why duplicate files will be generated in a USB drive and how to prevent them. It also shows how to delete duplicate files in a USB drive using Windows File Explorer, MiniTool Partition Wizard, and dupeGuru.
Regardless of the method you choose, verify the file contents and locations before deleting anything to avoid losing files you still need.
If you have problems with MiniTool Partition Wizard, send an email to [email protected] for help.
About The Author
Position: Columnist
Charlotte is a technology columnist with a strong focus on the Windows operating system, specializing in disk management, backup, and data recovery. She is passionate about analyzing computer errors, identifying root causes, and delivering practical solutions. In her free time, she stays updated on the latest developments in computer systems and hardware while continuously learning new technologies to broaden her expertise. Her writing style is clear and easy to understand, making complex technical topics accessible even to users with limited computer knowledge.
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