Windows 10: Several Reset/Recovery left duplicates in Registry and Windows folder

Alright, so this problem has been baffling me for over a week and tends to only get worse every time I do any sort of reset, download from iso/usb, or recovery. The problem is that there are false duplicates of windows bull spit, specifically in Windows folders; WinSxS, Servicing, Software Distribution, and User.

Things I have attempted include : Windows Cleanup, SFC Scan, Component Store cleanup, and Restore Disk Health only to remove 1/10GB of useless files. After these attempts failed, I attempted a reset with no personal files (twice). I have attempted to download a BRAND NEW Windows 10 copy made from an entirely different computer without the problem and this has failed to rid of the problem as well.

I have resorted to a duplicate finder, only to have something important removed in doing so. Programs are confused as to which one they are to use, leaving me just as confused.

Any suggestions would be great, at first it wasn't too bad because I was essentially gaining knowledge, but it has baffled me and I haven't been able to game for a week. *Mad

:)

 

Duplicate Public Folders

Hope this helps someone identify the problem.

• Q: What happens when you delete the duplicate folders?
• A: Nothing. They're successfully deleted.

• Q: Does it happen to all of your folders or only those with pictures?
  • A: Only the default Public Folders (Documents, Pictures, Music, Videos).
  • A: All of the Public Folders have customized folder icons.
  • A: The above image shows yellow, empty folder icons (duplicates).

• Q: Any steps you've tried to troubleshoot this issue?
  • Actually, this has been a problem since Windows 7.
  • What I noticed then is that certain Windows programs created the duplicates:
    • Windows Media Player (stopped using)
    • Internet Explorer (stopped using)
    • Plus others, which I can't recall.
  • Only certain programs for Windows 10, as well:
    • Microsoft Edge (don't use it often)
      
    • Groove Music (never intentionally use it)
      
    • Plus others, which I haven't tracked.
      • I only notice it when I go to Public Folders.
      • By then, I've long since forgotten what was accessed.
  • I've googled for answers but most of those only address
    moving the Public Folders to another Drive.

 

Duplicate Folders in “This PC” but no names

I have problems with your steps:

step 1: I didn't have a joint homegroup folders.

step 2: pasting shell:UsersFilesFolder gives me an error, it says it can't find it and I should check the spelling.

step 3: which one is the personal folder in this situation.

to answer your questions:

1. Did you make any changes prior to this issue?

I assume the problem started when I did a PC cleanup with "360 security" software.

2. Are there any documents under the duplicated folders or GUID folders?

the one I should in the pictures doesn't have anything in it, not even properties. Other than the registry address that is shown in the address bar.

It seems that windows recovered from the situation by making a duplicate folder and putting everything in there but didn't know what to do with the original damaged folder "the one in the picture" so it just left it there. but that's my assumption.

 

Duplicate Public Folders

Hi,

To further identify the cause of this problem, can you provide us the following information?

• What happens when you delete the duplicate folders?
• Does it happen to all of your folders or only those with pictures?
• Any steps you've tried to troubleshoot this issue?

Regards.