I am trying to reduce unnecessary storage in a OneDrive account, but the main challenge is identifying duplicate files that do not have the same filename. Over time, files have been copied between folders, renamed for different projects, and uploaded again from local computers. As a result, simply searching for identical filenames does not seem sufficient.
For example, I may have Project_Report.docx in one folder and Project_Report_Final.docx somewhere else, but both files could contain exactly the same information. There are also situations where photographs and PDFs have been renamed completely differently even though the actual files are identical.
I started looking at SysInfo OneDrive Duplicate File Finder because I wanted to understand whether duplicate detection can go beyond filename matching. A tool that compares file content along with properties such as size and type could potentially make it easier to distinguish genuine duplicates from files that only happen to have similar names.
Before running any cleanup, I would like to know what other users consider a safe workflow. Should I create a backup first and then scan the account? Would it be better to review duplicate groups manually before selecting files for removal?
Another issue is keeping the correct copy. Sometimes two files have the same content but are stored in different folders, and one location may be more useful than the other. Therefore, I would prefer a system that shows the complete file path or folder location rather than simply displaying the filenames.
For anyone researching an OneDrive duplicate remover, what features have you found useful in real-world situations? I would be interested in options for grouping duplicates, comparing file details, selecting specific copies, and recovering files if something is removed accidentally.
I am especially cautious about permanent deletion. An option to move selected duplicates to the OneDrive recycle bin would seem safer than immediately deleting them permanently. It would give users an opportunity to verify that the correct files remain available.
Has anyone used an OneDrive duplicate file finder on an account containing a mixture of office documents, images, archives, and PDFs? I would appreciate feedback on whether content-based detection works reliably when files have different names or are stored in separate folders.
The main goal is to free up unnecessary storage while avoiding accidental deletion of useful files. Any practical workflow or lessons learned from managing duplicate OneDrive data would be helpful.