Duplicate entries in registry

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  1. Posts : 841
    Windows 10 Pro 21H2
       #1

    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:

    Duplicate entries in registry-capture.png
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 13,985
    Win10 Pro and Home, Win11 Pro and Home, Win7, Linux Mint
       #2

    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.
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 1,255
    Windows 10 Pro
       #3

    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.
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  4. Posts : 2,726
    Windows 10
       #4

    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.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 841
    Windows 10 Pro 21H2
    Thread Starter
       #5

    LMiller7 said:
    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.
    You are right, the last 2 in the first set is different, thanks....
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 841
    Windows 10 Pro 21H2
    Thread Starter
       #6

    Helmut said:
    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.
    Notice that I posted before making changes - got broke in on 3.1.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 841
    Windows 10 Pro 21H2
    Thread Starter
       #7

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


  8. Posts : 1,255
    Windows 10 Pro
       #8

    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.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 841
    Windows 10 Pro 21H2
    Thread Starter
       #9

    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.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 13,985
    Win10 Pro and Home, Win11 Pro and Home, Win7, Linux Mint
       #10

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


 

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