How do I set up iTunes to not duplicate my songs? And, How do I consilidate duplicates so I don't have to go one by one deleting them?

I need help please with iTunes on my Windows laptop.  It creates duplicates of the songs in there...and I need to know how to:
1. Set up itunes so that duplicates are not created in my library
2. Consilidate duplicates...so I don't have to go one by one deleting them.
Please help...

Don't add files to the library that are already in it.
In particular if the option Copy to iTunes Media folder when adding to library is enabled and you repeatedly drag files located outside of the media folder into the library, iTunes will make fresh copies each time because that is what your actions are telling it to do...
In general I find it much better to move new files into the media folder before adding to the library, or just move them to the Automatically add to iTunes folder.
For your existing duplicates I have a script called DeDuper which can help remove them. See this thread for background.
tt2

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