What is File Deduplication?
File deduplication is the process of identifying and eliminating duplicate copies of data. Instead of storing multiple identical files, you keep one copy and remove the rest, dramatically reducing storage usage.
Why Duplicates Accumulate
- Multiple downloads of the same file
- Backup copies scattered across folders
- Photos synced from multiple devices
- Email attachments saved multiple times
- Project files copied between folders
How Deduplication Works
1. Hash-Based Detection
TomYaYa uses SHA-256 cryptographic hashing to identify duplicates:
- Each file generates a unique "fingerprint"
- Identical files always produce identical hashes
- Even a single bit difference creates a completely different hash
- Extremely reliable with virtually zero false positives
2. Content Comparison
For added safety, TomYaYa can perform byte-by-byte comparison to verify duplicates before removal.
Real-World Savings
Typical storage savings from deduplication:
- Photos: 15-30% reduction
- Documents: 10-25% reduction
- Music: 5-15% reduction
- Downloads: 20-40% reduction