Get up and running with TomYaYa's deduplication features in just 5 minutes. This guide covers everything you need to start finding and removing duplicate files.
Overview
Duplicate files waste storage space and create organizational confusion. TomYaYa's deduplication feature uses SHA-256 cryptographic hashing to identify exact duplicates with 100% accuracy, helping you reclaim storage and simplify your file management.
Prerequisites
Before you begin, ensure you have:
- TomYaYa installed on your computer (Windows, macOS, or Linux)
- Files or folders you want to scan for duplicates
- Sufficient free space for the hash database (typically under 100MB)
- 5 minutes to complete the initial setup
Quick Start
Step 1: Launch TomYaYa
Open TomYaYa from your applications menu. The main dashboard displays quick-access tiles for all features. Click the Deduplication tile or select it from the sidebar.
Step 2: Select Folders to Scan
Click Add Folder to choose directories to scan. You can add multiple folders - TomYaYa will find duplicates across all selected locations. Common starting points include:
- Downloads folder
- Documents folder
- Photos library
- Music collection
Step 3: Configure Scan Settings
Review the default settings or customize them:
- Include subfolders: Scan directories recursively (recommended)
- Minimum file size: Skip files smaller than a threshold (reduces noise from tiny files)
- File types: Filter to specific extensions or scan all files
Step 4: Start the Scan
Click Start Scan to begin. TomYaYa displays real-time progress including:
- Files scanned count
- Duplicate groups found
- Potential space savings
- Estimated time remaining
Step 5: Review Results
Once complete, TomYaYa presents duplicate groups. Each group contains files that are byte-for-byte identical. For each group, you can:
- Preview: View file contents without leaving the app
- Compare: See detailed side-by-side comparison
- Keep One: Select which copy to keep
- Auto-Select: Let TomYaYa suggest which to keep based on location and filename
Step 6: Remove Duplicates
After selecting files to remove, click Delete Selected. By default, files go to your system Recycle Bin/Trash, allowing recovery if needed.
Understanding the Interface
Main Toolbar
The toolbar provides quick actions:
- Add Folder: Add more directories to scan
- Scan: Start a new scan
- Stop: Pause or cancel running scan
- Settings: Configure scan parameters
- Export: Save results to CSV or JSON
Results Panel
The results panel shows duplicate groups in a tree structure:
- Click a group to expand and see all files
- File icons indicate type (image, video, document, etc.)
- Size and path information displayed for each file
- Checkboxes allow selection for batch operations
Status Bar
The bottom status bar shows:
- Total duplicate groups found
- Total space that can be recovered
- Scan duration
- Database status
Best Practices for Beginners
Start Small
Begin with a single folder like Downloads before scanning your entire drive. This helps you understand the interface and results format.
Check the Preview
Use the preview feature to verify file contents before deletion, especially for documents and photos.
Use Auto-Select Wisely
TomYaYa's auto-select feature suggests keeping files in organized folders over those in downloads or desktop. Review these suggestions but don't blindly accept them.
Enable Recycle Bin
Keep the "Move to Recycle Bin" option enabled (default). This provides a safety net if you accidentally delete a needed file.
Next Steps
Now that you've completed your first scan, explore these topics:
- Running Your First Duplicate Scan - Detailed walkthrough
- Understanding Scan Results - Interpret results effectively
- How SHA-256 Detection Works - Technical background
- Creating Custom Scan Rules - Advanced configuration