Duplicate files · Scanning and Auto-scan
What is Auto-scan in the Duplicates window?
Short answer: Auto-scan checks a source for duplicates in the background so results are ready when you look. It's on by default per source; This Mac is only scanned when idle, plugged in and cool, cloud accounts wait for a short pause, and each runs at most once every few hours.
Auto-scan lets Storage Studio check a source for duplicates quietly in the background, so results are ready when you open the window. It's on by default, and there's a separate switch for each source.
It's built to stay out of your way:
- This Mac is only scanned when your Mac is idle, plugged in and cool, because reading your files competes with your own work.
- Cloud accounts are much lighter to check — only a list of file fingerprints is read — so they just wait for a short pause in your typing, and run on battery too unless it's low.
- Background checks run one account at a time, and at most once every few hours for each source.
Results are remembered between launches, so the window opens instantly.