Windows 10: Duplicate entries in registry

I have found hundreds of duplicate entries in Windows 10 registry, is there a way to remove them simply?
Just a few:





:)

 

Taskbar Icons Display Settings List

I see you've been a member of these forums for quite a while. What's your level of expertise/comfort? Have you tried searching the Registry for duplicate entries?

Keith

 

USB devices are shown twice on Windows 10

Need to delete duplicate Entry for removable drive from registry. Follow the link

USB Drive Appearing Twice In Navigation Pane Of Windows 10 File Explorer

 

Are they all in the same Key? The Registry is 5 text files known as Hives and many times the same entry will be in 2 or more of the Hives. There are abundant naysayers but I've use CCleaner [formerly named Crap Cleaner] for years to clean the Registry without problems. Can't say that about some other cleaners that have been known to have problems. Manually editing the Registry can allow a small problem to slip in that will prevent Windows working but carefully following suggested edits can work.

 

They are not duplicate entries.
If you look closely you will see that the last 2 hex characters in the first group of 8 are all different. This is not unusual. Do not delete any of them.

 

Those are not duplicates. You would find out if you looked more closely in detail.

It illustrates why people should not be going in the Registry and mess around.

 

You are right, the last 2 in the first set is different, thanks....

 

Notice that I posted before making changes - got broke in on 3.1.

 

I use ccleaner, but LMiler7 pointed out something that I missed in that the last 2 characters in the first string are different.

 

Always remember that modern operating systems are very complex and there is much going on that is far from obvious. First impressions are often wrong. Never delete anything in the registry unless you really understand what you are doing, and then think twice. The same for the Windows folder and all of it's subfolders.

There are some things about Regedit that are often missed. Unlike a text editor there is no separate "Save" command needed to actually make changes. All changes are immediate. And there is no undo facility so there is no easy way to reverse changes. Regedit is a powerful tool but like all such it takes time to learn how to use it effectively.

 

LMiller7, I never assume anything, when I make a change in the registry, I always export first so it can be restored. I always create a restore point just in case - I have Task Scheduler create a restore point every night.

 

A nice feature of CCleaner is it does prompt to make a backup of the Registry before letting it make changes.

 

Very much so. I use ccleaner often, especially when I do an uninstall.

 

I recommend being very careful using Ccleaner as it has been bought by Avast.
In my opinion Avast has got into something they know little about.
I personally don't use the registry cleaning part of the Avast/Ccleaner.
I also don't use the Duplicate finder.
I had to do a clean install after using the Avast/Ccleaner registry cleaner.
In my opinion Avast should stick with anti virus programs. They do quite well there.
Prior to the Avast buy out I used the registry portion of Ccleaner for years without problems.
When checking Duplicate entries in registry I just leave them alone. Their seem to be small differences in them.
Not know what the differences mean, I just leave them alone.


Just my findings on my systems and my opinion.

Jack

 

Unless you’re having registry related problems, leave it be.