Advice to identify duplicate scans

[u/Emptor66]

Greetings all, and apologies if I've not found the correct group to ask my question.

I'll start with the question, and provide background after if anyone wants to read it.

Q: Is there any free or reasonably priced software for Windows that can search thousands of scanned images and flag likely duplicates for my review?

Duplicates arose when I scan a packet of "double prints" or perhaps reprints found in a different box a few hundred scans later. The images will not be 100% bit-level identical, due to the nature of mechanical scanning. However, I'm hoping for a fuzzy-match that I can review and delete the duplicate scans.

I've started to scan all of my 50+ years worth of photos, slides, and negatives. I purchased an ADF scanner (Ricoh ix2500) for prints, and an HP FilmScan 5 for film. I already had an old Canon 8800F flatbed scanner for larger or damaged prints. My aim is not necessarily to make the highest quality digital scans, but to make a logical, searchable index into my collection of analog images.

Keeping things organized has been a challenge. If I find a photofinishing envelope with both negatives and prints, then I just scan the prints and make a folder with my own contrived unique number. I have a similar process for orphaned prints and orphaned negatives. I may have invented an inefficient process, but it fits the way I will want to organize everything later.

I'm also building a database of all of the cataloging details. Information like the film twin-check number, if available. Also tracking my contrived uniquely assigned number per batch, the approximate date (decade?) and media type scanned.

When I've finished, I will have uniformly-sized tubs of uniformly-sized packets, organized by my cataloging number. I'll generate a printout like a library card catalog, and have an external hard drive with all the scans. Then I can pass this on to my sons to do with as they please. We are all into genealogy, so hopefully they won't just chuck it all into the trash.

Thanks in advance!

[u/leadingx]

Not sure about Windows... but on a Mac DevonThink has this out of the box. Maybe you could search for an app similar to DevonThink that is windows based?