There are a handful of cloud-based storage options, but Google Drive is arguably 1 of the most pop and easiest to utilize. But if you use Google Drive regularly, there'south a good chance you have a ton of duplicate files. And unlike the desktop on your Mac, it's easy to just close your browser and ignore the mess.

The fact that information technology is easier to ignore your indistinguishable files on Google Drive makes it a picayune worse. Because Google merely gives y'all xv GB of storage for free. Once y'all exceed that, then you accept to start paying for upgraded infinite. Simply if you keep reading, you'll larn some tips and tricks for an easy Google Drive cleanup. That way, you lot stop wasting precious storage space and peradventure even salve a couple of dollars a month.

Did you know?

You lot can use a duplicate file finder app, like Gemini ii, to help you quickly find and get rid of both exact duplicates and similar files. Gemini two'south algorithm will select the all-time file to keep and permit you lot delete the residual with just 1 click. Or it will grouping your files together, making it easy for you to review them to determine which copies you want to continue.

Why you take duplicates in Google Drive?

Duplicate files are pretty common in any file system you lot're using. Whether yous accidentally saved the same file in multiple folders or you're actually intense most retaining file versions. And if you're collaborating with a team, then your chances of saving like files goes up even higher.

While all of those reasons are bully excuses to go through your Google Drive to remove duplicates, it's a adept idea to brand a habit out of tidying up. Because the more you salve and upload files to Google Drive, the more likely you are to create copies.

How to remove duplicates in Google Bulldoze

Yous're probably hoping I'yard about to tell yous in that location's some Google Bulldoze duplicate files tool, just sadly, there isn't. But, if y'all don't heed putting a little time in, yous can manually search through your files. Hither are some steps to help you find duplicates in Google Drive:

  • Go to Google Drive in your browser and log in.
  • In the top right corner, click List View.
  • So, organize your files by name.

Note: Google renames duplicates to start with "Copy of…"

  • Select the files you lot desire to delete.
  • Click the Trash Can icon.

How to remove Google Drive duplicates locally

If manually searching through your files isn't going quite how you expected, don't worry. At that place is a way to use a duplicate file finder similar Gemini two to help speed things upward.

The only caveat is that Gemini 2 tin't log into your Google Drive to browse it, so your files have to be downloaded and stored locally. If you're using the corporate version of Drive chosen Google Workspace, then you probably have it ready already. Otherwise, you'll need to commencement download Google's Fill-in & Sync app to sync with your Mac.

After your files are downloaded, this is how to find duplicates in Google Bulldoze with Gemini 2.

  1. Download and open up Gemini 2.
  2. Click + > Choose Custom Folder > Google Drive.
  3. Then, click Open > Scan for Duplicates.

When the scan completes, Gemini 2'due south algorithm will select the all-time version of each file to go on and delete the other copies when y'all click the Smart Cleanup button. Or y'all review the results of the browse, and Gemini two will grouping your exact duplicates and like files together, making it easier for yous to choose which ones you want to keep.

Using Google Drive is an piece of cake and convenient way to ensure that yous ever accept the files you need with you, regardless of whether y'all're virtually your computer or not. But it's not equally useful if it's chaotic and messy with duplicate files that y'all don't actually need. Hopefully, this commodity helped you figure out why you take similar files on your Google Drive and what steps you lot can take to make clean them up.