Is it Safe to Remove Duplicates from Device Manager?


  1. Posts : 654
    10
       #1

    Is it Safe to Remove Duplicates from Device Manager?


    In device manager I got several drivers with the same name. Are these duplicates and can I delete them leaving only one of course? Look at the screenshot. Circled in red you'll find the duplicates.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Is it Safe to Remove Duplicates from Device Manager?-dev-mnr.png  
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 216
    Windows 10 Home 64-bit
       #2

    Hi yahanna

    Probably a good idea just to leave them, otherwise you might cause some problems for your computer.
    I also have duplicate drivers in my system devices. As of now they are working fine so my advice would be not to delete them (unless you know what they are and are confident they are not vital components needed for your computer to run properly)

    Not sure exactly what causes the duplication of these drivers, maybe another member could explain why...
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 4,666
    Windows 10 Pro x64 21H1 Build 19043.1151 (Branch: Release Preview)
       #3

    Don't remove those! Your Motherboard has multiple fan headers that can be pragramatically probed and adjusted. Windows needs those.
      My Computers


  4. Posts : 276
       #4

    If they're not inactive (greyed out) , best leave those all alone...
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 4,224
    Windows 10
       #5

    Many computers have multiple devices of the same kind (USB hubs is a good example, as noted earlier). Each device needs a driver, so it will have its own entry in Device Manager. When you see multiples of the same thing without checking "Show hidden devices" that means everything you see is active (present on your PC) and ready to be used. Sure, you can disable items you're absolutely sure you won't use ever (at least not without re-enabling them). But I wouldn't advise uninstalling them because Windows will usually reinstall them the next time you reboot, unless you take further pre-emptive action.
    HTH,
    --Ed--
      My Computers


  6. Posts : 1,366
    Windows 10 Pro x64
       #6

    Never ever a good idea. It means there are multiple devices using the same driver. If you had a dual monitor setup, you'd see two of the same monitor listed. You wouldn't want to remove one of them, would you?
      My Computer


 

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