To delete duplicate files on Google Drive you need find them manually because Google Drive has no in-built feature for finding duplicate files. You should sort files by name in list view, filter result by file type, owner, modified date, compare the copies and move extras to trash. This guide covers both the manual and software-based method for large drives.
Main points
- Why duplicates appear: Repeated uploads make a copy and shared files saved more than once is the most common reason.
- Check before deleting: The same file name does not always that has same content so first compare file size, date and owner.
- Storage impact: Files in Trash still takes storage of your Google Drive until you empty Trash or 30 days pass.
- Large Data in Google Drive: When you have large data in Google Drive, manual checking becomes slow. Do not worry, SysTools Duplicate File Finder and Remover makes this task easier. First, download all your Google Drive data to your local computer. Then, scan the downloaded files and remove duplicates easily and upload the cleaned data back to Google Drive.
Related Guide: How to Check For Duplicate Files on Hard Drive
Why Do Duplicate Files Appear in Google Drive?
Duplicate files in Google Drive mainly appear because of repeated uploads, editing and re-uploading files and sync issues on connected devices. The most common reasons are
- Repeated uploads – The same file is uploaded multiple times to Google Drive from different devices or at different times.
- Download, edit and re-upload – When you upload a file with the same name, Google Drive asks whether you want to replace the existing file or keep both files. If you select the “Keep both” option, then Google Drive creates a duplicate.
- Make a copy – When you choose “Make a copy” option or copy files into multiple folders, identical files can remain in different locations.
- Google Drive for Desktop sync – When you sync the same file or folder from multiple computers, sync conflicts can sometimes create duplicate files.
Manual Methods to Delete Duplicate Files on Google Drive
The manual method works well when you have a few files in Google Drive.
1. Open Google Drive
Go to Google Drive and open My Drive. You can also open the folder where you think there are duplicate files.
2. Use List View
Click the view icon in the top-right corner and choose List View. It shows file names, owners, and modified dates.
3. Sort Files by Name
Click the column header to show similar file names next to each other, such as:
- Project report.docx
- Project report (1).docx
- Copy of project report.docx
4. Find Large Files First
Open Google Drive Storage and check your storage usage. Sort files by storage usage. Checking large files first can help you find duplicate files that take up unnecessary space.
Related Guide: How to Find and Remove Duplicate Files on macOS? (4 Ways)
5. Filter Results Using Search
Use the search bar to filter files by type, owner, or modified date.
6. Compare Possible Duplicate Files
Before deleting any file, check the following details:
- File name and type: Same name and extension.
- Folder location: Where each copy is stored.
- Modified date and owner: Which copy is the latest or belongs to you.
- File content: Open both to confirm they are identical.
- Current need: Whether you still need either copy.
7. Delete Unwanted Copies
If you want to delete a file, right-click it and move it to the trash. If someone has shared the file with you, you may see the Remove option instead. This removes the file only from your list and does not affect the owner’s copy.
Limitations of the Manual Method
The manual method is good for a small Google Drive but when you have hundreds or thousands of files, it may be difficult to process. Here are some common problems:
- Similar files can be stored with different names
- It takes a long time to review possible duplicates
- Files can be spread across multiple folders
- It is easy to miss duplicate files in large folders
That is why you need to switch from manual to software-based methods, but first, you need to download all Google Drive data to your local computer hard disk.
Delete Duplicate Files on Google Drive with SysTools
You need to download your Google Drive data to your local computer storage then you must use a SysTools Duplicate File Finder and Remover
By using software you can scan selected files, folders, drives and subfolders. Its duplicate detection options include file content, file name and file extension. For content-based comparison it provides :
- MD5: Fast hash comparison, suitable for routine duplicate detection.
- SHA256: Stronger hash comparison with a lower chance of false matches.
- Bit-by-bit: Compares every byte, giving the most exact match.
Steps to Delete Duplicate Files on Google Drive with SysTools Software
1: Download your Google Drive data into desktop local files
You need to download all your Google Drive data into local files which you want to check for duplicate files and arrange them in folders.
2: Install duplicate file checker and remover tool
You should install the duplicate file identifier tool on your computer and launch it.
3: Select local Google Drive data Folder
Select that local Google Drive folder which you want to check for duplicate files.
4: Select duplicate detection method
You have to choose the method you want to use to find duplicate files based on file content, file name and file extension.
5: Start the scan
Start the duplicate file scanning and allow the software to compare selected files. It can help you identify files in a group without relying only on file names.
6: Review the duplicate results
You should carefully review duplicate files before taking any action and check the file’s location and available information to decide which copy you want to keep.
7: Delete or move unwanted copies
After reviewing duplicate files you can choose the delete or move option, and the unnecessary files are deleted or moved after you make your selection.
8: Re-upload data on Google Drive
Once you have non-duplicate file data, you can re-upload that data to your Google Drive if you do not want to store it in local drives on your computer.
Why Software-Based Method Is Better Than Manual
A software-based method is good and easier for checking and deleting large numbers of files, while in the manual method you must check files one by one, but a duplicate file checking tool can scan all selected files and folders with one click. Here are some benefits:
- Save time
The tool can easily scan large numbers of files automatically without making any effort.
- Content based comparison
Files are not compared only on the basis of file name; the tool compares them on the basis of file content.
- Scan subfolders
The tool can check duplicate files in subfolders too.
- Reduce manual work
You do not need to check every file manually.
- Make review easier
The scan results group duplicate files together, so you can check them before deleting.
- Support large collections
A software-based method is more practical for hundreds or thousands of duplicate files.
Conclusion
To delete duplicate files on Google Drive you have use manual method for small drive data or SysTools Duplicate File Finder and Remover software for large drives. Google Drive has no in-built feature for finding and deleting Google Drive duplicate files that is why you need compare both methods before using.
Manual method: Sort files by name in list view, filter by type, owner or modified date, compare the copies and move to extras, this method works well when you have few files.
Software method: SysTools software compares file content using MD5. SHA256 or bit by bit method to find duplicate files for downloaded Google Drive data.
Safety: Review each of duplicate files manually before deleting, In manual trashing file can be recovered within 30 days and using remove on share file shared file does not affect owner copy.
Google Drive Duplicate File Questions
Ques: How do I delete duplicate files from Google Drive?
Answer: By sorting and searching in Google Drive, compare files with each other and delete the extra copies you do not need.
Ques: Why is Google Drive duplicating files?
Answer: Duplicate files may be stored in Google Drive because of repeated uploads, file copies, sync issues or saving the same file more than once.
Ques: What is the best duplicate file finder cleaner for Google Drive?
Answer: A duplicate file finder such as SysTools software can help you find and remove duplicate files from Google Drive data, but the Google Drive data must also be available on the local computer.
Ques: Can I find duplicates in my Google Drive?
Answer: Yes, you can search by file names, type or size and compare files to find possible duplicates.