How to Reduce Duplicate Files in Windows Vista or Windows 7

• 1). Set a new restore point before checking for duplicate files. Right-click on the "Computer" icon. Select "Properties." A dialog box within the Control Panel will open.
  
  
• 2
  Duplicate files clutter your computer.system block image by andrey polichenko from Fotolia.com
  
  Click "System Protection," found on the left side of this window. Click the "System Protection" tab from the "System Properties" dialog box that opened.
  
  
• 3
  "C" drive.hard drive image by iMAGINE from Fotolia.com
  
  Ensure that the "C" drive is selected, and click the "Create" button. The restore point will be created and a confirmatory message will appear if it was successful.
  
  
• 4
  File folders.Icone di cartelle image by persefone from Fotolia.com
  
  Enter a name for the "Restore Point" in the box when prompted. Use a descriptive name that will be recognized as having been created before the duplicate file checking process began. An example would be "Before Duplicate File Checker Application Restore Point."
  
  
• 5
  Music files.music background image by Nataliya Galkina from Fotolia.com
  
  Open the duplicate file checker program. Select drives and folders to be inspected. Select types of files such as photos, music or documents. Indicate what is to be done with the duplicate files---stored in a designated folder, sent to the recycle bin or deleted.
  
  
• 6). Run the program after all criteria are selected. The program will prompt you, and a message will display when the program is finished. Visually check files before deleting for safety. With subsequent use of the program, fewer duplicates will be found.
  
  

Using iTunes to Remove Duplicate Music Files

• 1
  Music libraries may contain duplicate files.music icon. (with clipping path) image by Andrey Zyk from Fotolia.com
  
  Open iTunes on your computer. Select "Music," located under "Library" on the left side of the screen.
  
  
• 2). Click on "File" at the top left of the screen and select "Display Duplicates." Inspect the duplicate files identified by iTunes.
  
  
• 3). Before deleting, verify the songs are indeed duplicates. Check the file size, the length, the bit rate and anything else that may make each track distinctive.
  
  
• 4
  Clean up your computer on a regular basis.calendar for 2007 (september) image by Sergey Galushko from Fotolia.com
  
  Check for duplicate files on a regular basis to keep your hard drive organized and uncluttered.