Many email users often receive duplicate attachments—files they already have—from colleagues, clients, or automated systems. This creates inbox clutter, wastes storage space, and forces users to manually identify redundant files, especially problematic for professionals who regularly collaborate or receive recurring reports. While email clients offer attachment management tools, none automatically detect and handle duplicates without user intervention.
One way this could be addressed is through a plugin or extension for existing email clients that identifies duplicate attachments before they are downloaded. Here’s how it might work:
This feature could integrate with email workflows without disrupting them. For example:
Over time, the system could expand to support more file types and near-identical version detection, while partnerships with cloud providers might streamline cross-platform deduplication.
Current tools like Gmail’s search or Mailbird’s attachment lookup require manual effort. Dedicated cloud syncing (e.g., Dropbox Smart Sync) doesn’t address email attachments. By automating duplicate detection, this approach could save users time and storage without requiring them to switch email providers or adopt new workflows.
While challenges like false positives or platform compatibility exist, starting small and focusing on user control—such as allowing manual overrides—could make the solution practical and widely adoptable.
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Digital Product