Whatever program we use, we always recommend reviewing the results before applying the cleaning. Otherwise, due to an error in the detection functions, we can end up losing photos that, although they seemed duplicates, actually were not. We must bear in mind that some applications only compare the space that the file occupies and the date of creation, while others analyze the images themselves to make sure that they are identical images in addition to checking the metadata of the files.
What should we look for in these programs?
One of the most important aspects of these programs is that they have a clear and easy to use interface. In it, we must look for the possibility of having thumbnails of the images that we are comparing to be able to see if it is the same photo, or if it is different, from the program itself without having to open it in Windows with an image viewer.
Another important aspect is that the program allows us to choose the directories we want to analyze. In this way, instead of directly analyzing two or more complete units, what we achieve is comparing specific folders with limited photos, reducing the number of false positives and speeding up the process.
When deciding if one photo is the same as another, this tool must have different algorithms. For example, you should compare photos by size, by file name, by number of pixels, and by how similar they are. In addition, it should let us choose the percentage of similarity that we want to decide if a photo is the same or different to be able to eliminate, if we want, the photos that are almost the same.
Other important aspects that we can take into account when choosing a program of this style are:
- Support for multiple formats.
- Possibility to send the photos to the trash, not delete them directly. To avoid problems, it is recommended to move the images that the application marks as duplicates to a separate folder until we are completely sure that they are truly duplicate images and not modified or similar files in resolution and size.
- Backup copy of deleted photos, in case we make a mistake.
And, as always, we will be able to choose between free programs, which can work great, but are more limited in terms of functions, and more complete paid programs, but which require us to checkout. If we are willing to pay to use an application of this type, we must decide on the applications that, in addition to finding duplicate images, also allow us to find duplicate files, be they videos, documents, music files, or any other type.
Programs that will help us eliminate repeated photos
If we want to have a clean collection of photos, without repeated or duplicate images, we must start by looking for a program that allows us to do it quickly and easily. And these are the best we can find.
Find.Same.Images.OK, free program to find the same photos
Find.Same.Images.OK is one of the most well-known and recommended free programs to search for all kinds of repeated photos on any computer. This program allows us to enter a directory and, with one click, it will begin to analyze it in search of matches. In addition to finding duplicate photos, this program will also allow us to find similar photos that, for example, have been rotated.
When it detects a match, it will allow us to choose which photo we want to delete and which one we want to keep. In each match we will be able to see a percentage of similarity that will allow us to know if the image is identical (that is, a duplicate) or simply a similar one.
Can download Find.Same.Images.OK . Also, it is available in Spanish.
The best
We are facing one of the best-known and most used software solutions when it comes to locating duplicate photos on our hard drive. It presents a complete user interface with a multitude of functions to facilitate this type of task in particular.
Worst
In addition to being a bit outdated, the default interface that this application offers us can also be confusing due to all the features that we can configure and customize here for the search for repeated content.
AntiDupl, OpenSource program to find similar photos
If what we are looking for is an open source program, then one of the best options that we are going to have at our disposal is AntiDupl. This open source program, written in .NET, allows us to very easily search for all the duplicate photos that we have in a specific directory on the computer. It supports JPEG, GIF, TIFF, BMP, PNG, EMF, WMF, EXIF, ICON, JP2, PSD, DDS and TGA formats, and thanks to its content analysis algorithms, this program detects both identical photos and photos similar (for example, if we have taken the same photo 3 times in a row). It allows us to compare the photos before deleting them and choose which one we want to keep.
Can download AntiDupl free from . Some antiviruses can detect a threat in the installer, but it is a false positive. The program is open source, so anyone can review it.
In favor
This is one of the solutions with these most interesting features for lovers of open source and free programs. One of its main features is that it is compatible with most of the latest photographic formats, which will help us free up disk space by deleting all the repeated content.
Against
The localized results are shown in a single user interface through a list that can sometimes be confusing when choosing what to delete and what not.
VisiPics, a discontinued classic that is still working
Another free alternative that will help us clean up and organize our photo library is VisiPics. This software is characterized above all by its great analysis speed, being able to take advantage of even dual-core processors. It is very easy to use and, although the interface is not one of the most well-cared that we can find on the web, it is designed to make it easier for us to view all the content.
Can Download VisiPics free . Although this program has not been updated since 2013, to this day it is still one of the best options to consider.
I like
If there is something that characterizes this application that allows us to eliminate duplicate photos on disk drives, it is the speed of operation that it provides us. All this despite having huge drives and hard drives where you can find this multimedia content.
I like less
There is no doubt that the user interface that this software solution offers us is not the most careful or the most beautiful that we are going to find in programs in this sector. Something that is complemented by the proper functioning of the application.
AllDup, find duplicate photos, videos and any duplicate files
AllDup is a program designed to allow us to eliminate all types of duplicate files from the computer, not just photos. This program allows us to find duplicate files based on different criteria, such as file name, extension, size, content, and even attributes. Furthermore, it has special algorithms to detect similar and duplicate images as well as similar audio files that we have on the PC. It also allows you to find duplicate video files based on their duration and size.
Can download AllDup free from .
In favor
Here we have the possibility of establishing various criteria and filters when it comes to finding the content that we are really interested in eliminating from our hard drives. As we indicate a greater number of filters, the localization process will be much faster.
Against
The general aspect of the application needs a renovation to adapt more to the current software that we can find installed in Windows.
Awesome Duplicate Photo Finder, find duplicate and similar photos in seconds
If what you are looking for is speed, Awesome Duplicate Photo Finder will become your program. This free software is specialized in searching for and finding all kinds of duplicate or similar images on our computer. This software is very easy to use, since we can put it to work with just a couple of mouse clicks.
It can compare photos in many different ways, and is even capable of detecting similar black and white and color images. It is compatible with JPG, BMP, GIF, PNG, TIFF formats and allows us to easily choose which photo we want to save and which one to delete from its simple interface.
Can download Awesome Duplicate Photo Finder from .
Top
One of the main characteristics that define this software solution to locate duplicate photos is the ease of use that its interface provides us. We can carry out these checks on all the drives on the computer with just a couple of mouse clicks. In addition, it provides us with compatibility with most of the current most used image formats.
minus top
Those users who are looking for some more advanced configuration functions to fully customize these photo search tasks will not find them here.
Duplicate File Remover
Duplicate Files Remover is another of the applications that we have available in the Microsoft Store, an application that we can download for free to try and, if it convinces us, we can use the integrated purchase to unlock all the functions. The purchase is priced at 6.49 euros. It is not a high price, but, having alternatives available, this would not be an option, at least initially or that we are looking for an application available only in the Microsoft Store.
This application analyzes our equipment to find documents, images and videos that are duplicated on the equipment. After analyzing the team, it will show us a summary of all the duplicate content and will allow us to keep it or delete it directly from the team.
All the content that we delete through the application ends up in the recycle bin, so if we have made a mistake or are not sure, we can reverse the deletion from the trash directly. The user interface is very basic and in just 3 steps we can eliminate a large amount of space occupied by duplicate images. In addition, it allows us to search by name and size.
I like
Here we have the security of a program that the official Windows store offers us and what has passed the filters so that we know that it is free of malware. It is compatible with all kinds of files in addition to the photos themselves to find duplicate files on our drives.
I like less
The free version is quite limited and in order to get the most out of this application we will have to opt for the paid option that we download from the Microsoft Store.