How can I find duplicate photo files across multiple folders and computers?
Asked 1/2/2011
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I’ve accumulated a large photo library over the years across several machines, mostly organized by year/month folders. Some of the older images appear to have been copied more than once, and I’d like to identify duplicates so I can clean things up safely. What’s the best way to detect duplicate photos? Are there good tools for this, including options that compare image content rather than just filenames?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
15y ago
2 Answers
7
A number of programs can find duplicates based on image contents. Some asset management apps will do it and there are also dedicated programs. If you Google 'detect duplicate images' you'll see quite a few options. See which ones are available for your platform.
Another solution is to simply import the files with the 'ignore duplicate option'. Picasa, which is free, can do it.
Originally by user1620. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user1620
15y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Yes—this is a useful, common photo-management task, and you usually do not need to write your own tool.
A duplicate-photo finder can compare files in a few different ways:
- exact file matches
- metadata such as EXIF timestamps
- visual similarity based on image content
From the community suggestions:
- dupeGuru Picture Edition is a dedicated duplicate image finder available for Windows, macOS, and Linux. It can detect identical files as well as visually similar images, and offers customizable matching options.
- FSlint is a Linux option that can find duplicates, though it may be slower.
- Some photo management applications can help during import by using an ignore duplicates option. Picasa was mentioned as one example.
If your duplicates may have been renamed, resized, or slightly edited, use a tool that compares image content rather than filenames alone. Before deleting anything, review the matches carefully and keep backups, since visually similar files are not always true duplicates.
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