Media cleanup

How to reduce duplicate media safely.

Duplicate cleanup should reduce clutter without breaking edits. Treat identical names as a clue, not proof: compare file size, duration, format, and project usage before removing or consolidating anything.

Separate project duplicates from disk duplicates

Two Project panel items may reference the same source file, while two files on disk may have the same name but different contents. Decide which problem you are solving before changing either the project or the filesystem.

Use a layered comparison

Start with filename, then compare file size and duration. For high-risk archives, use a checksum or media fingerprint. Audio conversions such as WAV and MP3 may contain the same performance but are not byte-identical files.

Consolidate references before deleting

When several project items point to equivalent media, relink or replace references first. Only remove a file after confirming that no active sequence, comp, proxy, or linked project depends on it.

Quarantine uncertain files

Move suspected duplicates into a clearly named review folder instead of deleting immediately. Open the project again, verify the edit, and keep an audit trail for anything removed from the production root.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is the same filename enough to prove two files are duplicates?

No. Compare size, duration, format, and ideally content before treating files as duplicates.

Should I delete duplicate files from Finder or Explorer?

Only after project references have been consolidated or relinked and the project has been reopened successfully.

What should I do with uncertain duplicates?

Quarantine them in a review folder, preserve the original project, and verify every sequence or composition before permanent deletion.