When OneDrive was killed (not sure how it occurred), OneDrive dumped all to the 'local machine'. I used ccleaners dup files and found thousands of dups from 10 programs. I was able to follow the path of the two choices to determine the correct choice to be deleted. Using 'path' to determine which to keep, discard entries with incomplete paths. Reboot fine Macrium opened Next, I applied same logic, to Bitdefender, tagged about 30, uploaded to chat and check before deletion. Then tied to delete selected, ccleaner failed to remove. Deleting and re-installing would not remove the duplicate files. Scanned with 'AllDups' c:\ 32,000+ is that a user select, then del, or is it more automated? All backups on backup drives contain the initial OneDrive issue! Windows sfc /scannow & dism's restore health no errors no malware Contemplated: 1. boot to safe mode, for both reg clean & dup's, via ccleaner 2. all dups - 32k user choices for deletion forget about it 3. The repair, image (which removes non) Microsoft programs, would the dup files survives? I would assume they would survive. 4. sys restore reinstalls the original problem and restores the pre-dump of one drive. dups may be back in in one drive, then KILL one drive 5. New install of windows (stack social selling win 11 pro $10.00 #3. would most likely not clear dups in: Office, Edge <not used>, MS framework. I only use Chrome! Are both necessary, and ccleaner just id's close? Hence, two different paths. Perhaps a connection between, (OneDrive, Edge & Chrome?) Rubic's cube of computer issues from user & OneDrive, the easy solution is format c:\, but a lot of knowledge comes from solving. And I can see a natural reluctance to dive in & help.
I have both these files on my PC, so both are necessary, and they are not duplicates as they are in different folders. Duplicates in your case will be files with the same path, with same size and similar names.
With 32K+ duplicates the best solution is to either restore from a backup, if that is not possible, then the next best solution is to "reset the PC without saving personal files". You can reset your PC from "Settings -> System -> Recovery -> Reset this PC". Choose "not to keep personal files" during reset. Keep in mind that this will delete all personal files like pictures, music, documents, as well as all third-party software etc, so please backup anything you need to an external drive before starting this process. This will get you up an running in about 30 minutes.
Thanks Raza! reset I'm aware of personal data as a choice, rational not to keep when reset? looking for an app for the 32k dups automated? I'm going to visit 'safe mode' generate a scan for dups & reg errors, see if i can make a screen shot, compare to windows vs safe mode scan.
@Raza0007 - Choose 'AllDups', somewhat intimidating, muddle through (32K dups ccleaner, 85K alldups), removed most *. Rebooted into Windows, no sound, many things, fail (sfc, dism, rollback, reinstall driver Realtek). PC is a 'mini' ryzen, HDMI connected to Samsung smart TV, FireStick allows easy switching btwn TV & PC. I turned the tv off restarted, had sound for 3 seconds, unplug power to Fire stick, plug it sound! * Bidedender dups were not deleted. Tomorrow, turn BD off and scan again. Edge dups not removed, Hmm! maybe run, 'AllDups' as admin. Thank you Raza & Wilders!!!
