How to Find & Remove Duplicate Files on a XP Operating System

Removing duplicate files on your Windows XP operating system is easy. It's finding them first that can present a challenge. To manually find duplicate files you can create a batch file that, when executed, will construct a list of all the files stored on your computer. You can painstakingly go over this list for evidence of duplicate files. Or you could download and install the Windows XP Service Pack 2 support tools. The Service Pack 2 support tools contains a duplicate file finder application that can be used to automatically find duplicate files.

Instructions.
Manual Method

1 Create a batch file to construct a list of all the files stored on your computer. Go to the "All Programs (or Programs)/Accessories" folder in the Start menu and select "Notepad" to open Microsoft Notepad. Copy the following command and paste it in Notepad:

 @ECHO OFF

FOR %%A IN (A,B,C,D,E,F,G,H,I,J,K,L,M,N,O,P,Q,R,S,T,U,V,W,X,Y,Z) DO (DIR /B /S /A-D %%A:\>>FILELIST.TXT) 2>NUL

2 Save the file as a batch file by giving the file name a ".bat" extension. Open the Notepad "File" menu and select "Save As." In the "File name" field box, enter "FileNames.bat." Select "Desktop" from the "Save in" drop-down menu and click "Save."

3 Run your batch file. Go to your desktop, right-click the "FileNames" icon and select "Open." This opens the DOS command prompt as Windows constructs a list of all of the files saved on your computer. Wait a few seconds for the entire list to be generated. You won't see anything on the DOS command prompt, but you may be able to hear your computer working.

4 Close the DOS command prompt and open the "FILELIST" text file that's now on your desktop. This file contains a list of all of the files stored on your computer. You may wish to print the list.

5 Review the list. Look for any duplicate file names. If you find any, navigate to each file on your computer and compare the file properties to see if they're the same. To do this, right-click on the file and select "Properties."

6 Erase any duplicates you want to get rid of by right-clicking on the file and selecting "Delete."

Duplicate Finder Tool

1 Download and install Windows XP Service Pack 2 Support Tools (see Resources).

2 Click "Start," select "Run," enter "dupfinder" in the "Open" field box, and click "OK."

3 Select the "C" drive, then click "Start Search."

4 Review the list of duplicate files and remove the ones you'd like to get rid of.

Tips & Warning

There are many third-party duplicate file finder applications on the market, and several of them are freeware. Installing any one of these applications supported for Windows XP may help you find and remove duplicate files from your system's hard drive. However, Microsoft does not guarantee any of these third-party applications. Use them at your own risk.