WinRAR Windows 11 Duplicate Files

/ Removing Duplicates / By

WinRAR is a popular file archiving utility. It has its own proprietary file format that supports faster compression and decompression of your files. It also has a highly secured encryption of your file contents. By default, WinRAR uses the .rar file format instead of .zip or any other format.

WinRAR supports various other file formats for compression and extraction: .Zip, .7z, .ace, .arj, .bz2, .cab, .jar, .tar, .gzip, .iso, .lzh, .uue, .z.

WinRAR integrates itself into Windows Explorer to make compression and extraction of files easy. When you install WinRAR, it adds many context menu entries to facilitate the following features:

  • Add to archive: It would help add your files and folders to a new archive and specify a name for that new archive.
  • Add to <Archive name>: Use this option to add your files and folders to a new archive with the same name as your files or folders.
  • Compress and emails: This option would help compress your files and attach them to an email message. This way, you can quickly send over your compressed files to others.
  • Compress to <Archive name> and email: Use this option to create a new archive with the name of your files and folders, and then attach the same to a new email message.
  • Extract files: You can extract the contents of your compressed file by using this option.
  • Extract to <Folder name>: Use this option to extract the contents of your compressed files to a new folder with the same name as your file/ folder.
  • Open with WinRAR: You can use it to open your compressed files using WinRAR. And you can view your RAR/ Zip contents, extract select files, or test archive it.
  • Test archive: This option would allow you to check the integrity of your compressed file to determine whether it’s corrupted or not.
  • Convert archive: Use this option to change the format of your compressed file. For example, you convert a .RAR file to a .Zip file, and vice versa.

Problem of WinRAR Windows 11 Duplicate Files

Some of our day-to-day activities can cause duplication of the RAR files. Here are the possible reasons:

  • Extracting the same files over and over again: Yes, we did it with the same RAR contents at different times. And it would result in unintended duplication.
  • File copying/moving activities: Sometimes, we may copy the same RAR file to different locations. Such activities can also contribute to duplication.
  • Test archives: When you use the Test Archive feature in WinRAR, the program extracts the contents of your RAR to a temporary directory and verifies whether the file contents are corrupted or not. It does so by comparing the hashes of your files. But if you use this feature on multiple occasions, it leads to duplication.

How to Deduplicate WinRAR Files?

Now, let’s get back to how to get rid of duplicate files.

  1. Download Clone Files Checker, a prolific Windows 11 Duplicate File Finder.
  2. Click on System Scan > File Search.
  3. Click Add on the left.
  4. Now, set the search options. By default, the All files option is pre-selected, as CFC scans all files irrespective of their types. If you go for only compressed files, select the Custom option and then check-up the Archive checkbox.
  5. Now, click  Start Search.
  6. Once the scan ends, you will get a list of all the duplicates. Click Select Duplicates  and choose a selection pattern to auto-select the duplicates.
  7. Click Select Action and then choose whether to delete duplicates or move them to a separate folder to review them later.

Benefits:

  • Faster, lightning speed
  • Fix Wizard: Delete all duplicates with one-click. You’ll be asked whether you want to retain newest/oldest files in each duplicate group
  • Review & Fix: Manually review duplicate files categorized into separate groups based on the same hash values
  • Export duplicates list to another file
  • Move duplicate files to another folder of your choice
  • Permanently delete duplicates to save storage instantly
  • In-house file preview
  • Cloud Search: Search for duplicate files on various cloud storage platforms, including Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, Amazon S3, etc., using a complimentary service Cloud Duplicate Finder. No files needed to be downloaded.
  • Empty Folders Remover: Automatically find and delete empty folders to fix disorganized file systems.
  • Music Search: Search for duplicate music using album, artist, and other ID3 tags.
  • iTunes Scan: Search for duplicate iTunes songs using various music tags.
  • Dead Tracks Remover: CFC automatically finds and removes dead iTunes tracks to get you to listen to your favorite songs without interruption.
Vikas
Sorcim Technologies (pvt) Ltd. | + posts

Vikas is a technology enthusiast who loves writing articles on computers and technology. He writes on various topics related to software, software reviews, troubleshooting and tips & tricks to make people's digital lives better.