[Easy Methods] How to Find Duplicate PDF Files in a Folder?

Actions such as accidental copying, creating backups, or forgetting about copied or saved PDFs in different locations for organizational purposes can lead to the accumulation of numerous duplicate PDF files. These duplicates can clutter your computer. When you're looking for a specific PDF document, having duplicates can make it difficult to find the correct one.

These duplicate files not only make your PC disorganized but also consume a significant amount of storage space, potentially slowing down your computer. So we are here to share how to find duplicate PDF files in a folder and provide a method for their swift removal.

How to find duplicate PDF files in a folder with 2 methods

Based on the number of duplicates, 2 recommended methods are available. If you're looking for a small number of duplicate PDF files or a specific document, using File Explorer is a suitable approach.

However, when dealing with a substantial number of duplicate files for tasks such as expanding storage or maintaining a clean environment, using a reliable duplicate PDF file finder and remover is the most efficient choice.

Method 1. Find duplicate PDF files in File Explorer

If you want to find specific PDF files, File Explorer is a handy utility. All you need is to type the right file extensions and carefully identify the updated versions. However, if you want to find and remove a large amount of duplicate PDF files, this method can be exhausting and time-consuming.

Step 1. Enter "Indexing Options" in the Search box and then choose "Indexing Options".

Step 2. Click "Modify" and choose "Show all locations". A window will pop up, requesting your login information. Ensure you're using an administrator account while making changes in this place.

Step 3. Check if all the boxes are ticked under the "Changed selected locations" section. If they are, click "OK", and then hit the "Close" button. If not, ensure tick all the boxes. 

Step 4. Simultaneously press the "Win+E" keys on your keyboard to open File Explorer. Finding your files is simpler under your user account. To reach your user account, navigate to Windows (C:), and then pick the Users folder.

Step 5. Click "Search" in the upper-right corner, and enter the following extensions based on their format if you have other needs.

Step 6. Organize the search results by Name:

Step 7. Examine the files to find duplicates saved in different locations. Check the "Date modified" column to identify the latest version of each file.

Step 8. After reviewing the files, select the needed duplicate PDF files. If you want to remove them, press the DELETE key on your keyboard.

Method 2. Use duplicate document files remover

To find duplicate PDF files in a substantial quantity, we have prepared another effective method for you. You can employ AOMEI Partition Assistant for Cleanup, a dependable duplicate PDF files finder and remover. With this tool, you can scan your PC for all duplicate files and tailor the solutions to suit your specific requirements.

This tool works for other file types too, like documents, pictures, videos, and more. Taking only a few minutes, you can acquire an organized and fast computer.

AOMEI Partition Assistant for Cleanup

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Note:

If you want to thoroughly clean your device or free up storage space, advanced functions like PC Cleaner, Delete Large Files, etc., are all worth trying.

Step 1. Install and launch AOMEI Partition Assistant for Cleanup. Click the "Find Duplicate Files" tab. You can either click "Scan Now" to start the scan of your system C: drive. Or, click "Custom Scan" to manually select paths to be scanned. (Here, we take the "Custom Scan" as an example.)

Step 2. After clicking "Custom Scan", all local and external drives on your PC will be displayed. You can also click the "Add Path" button, and then a browse folder window will pop up. So you can add more paths on this PC, like Desktop, Downloads, and other folder paths.

Step 3. Once necessary paths are added, you can click the "Scan Now" button to start the scan process.

Step 4. The scan process might take time. After the scan is complete, all duplicate files will be listed. You can click the button behind to locate them.

Step 5. You can either manually select duplicate files, or click the "Smart Select" button to automatically select unnecessary duplicate files to delete.

Tips: If the "Smart Select" is ticked, only the oldest duplicate file will be unticked. It means that all duplicate files except the oldest one will be ticked to delete. (The oldest file means the file that was created first. This file will not be deleted. All other duplicate files are conside red copies of the oldest file. )

If you manually select all copies of duplicate files, you will get a pop-up warning window to keep at least one copy of the duplicate files. If you indeed want to delete all copies of duplicate files, you can click "OK" so all copies of duplicate files will be selected to delete.  

After unnecessary duplicate files are selected, please click the "Clean Now" button to start the deletion.

Step 6. The deletion might take time. After the process is finished, the selected files will be deleted, and you will get a cleaning completed window displaying how much data you deleted in total. 

Ending

The shared 2 methods on how to find duplicate PDF files in a folder can be helpful. If you choose the duplicate PDF files finder and remover, you can explore the recommended functions for a better clean experience. It is recommended to use a more professional tool, AOMEI Partition Assistant. Except for storage expansion, this versatile tool also supports cloning disk for backup, moving OS for performance enhancement, converting system disk between MBR/GPT, and so on.