Best duplicate file checker for quickly finding duplicates on Windows or Mac?

Even with a good duplicate file checker tool like dupeGuru, sometimes it flags files that aren’t really duplicates—like different versions of the same image with slight edits or different file formats. Conversely, if the settings aren’t perfect, it might miss actual duplicates, especially if filenames are different. Always take the time to review what it finds. If you’re not careful, you might delete files you actually want to keep. For example, two similar photos or documents with different info. It’s tempting to hit delete quickly, but I’ve learned to double-check each pair before removing anything—especially if the tool is set to auto-delete.

While dupeGuru is pretty fast, scanning huge folders (like thousands of files) can still take some time and might slow down your computer. Sometimes it gets sluggish or crashes if your drive is really cluttered or if your system isn’t powerful enough. Most duplicate checkers, including dupeGuru, only work with files stored locally. If you use cloud storage or external drives, you’ll need to run separate scans or manually check those locations. It’s not a big deal, but it’s something to keep in mind.

Some duplicate file checker tools offer automatic deletion or moving to trash, but that’s risky if you’re not paying attention. I always recommend reviewing each pair carefully and maybe backing up before mass cleanup—better safe than sorry.