Really Microsoft can’t you clean up some of this clutter?

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Hey Y’all,

Just did a search of my Windows directory to locate RoboCopy and this is what I got.

MS do we really need 16+ copies of a single file? At least you could get rid of the outdated ones when you update.

May the Forces of good computing be with you!

RG

PowerShell & VBA Rule!
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I doubt whether Microsoft put any of those there as C:\windows is not the default location for any of those files.

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b,

C:\Windows is only the top folder for the search, all subs were searched also.

May the Forces of good computing be with you!

RG

PowerShell & VBA Rule!
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But SearchMyFiles doesn’t display the sub-folders? That’s not useful!

What Is the WinSxS Folder, Why Is It Huge, and How to Cleanup?

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RG, I ran dism /online /cleanup-image /startcomponentcleanup /resetbase and then ran another search for Robocopy.exe.  I got rid of six.

Always create a fresh drive image before making system changes/Windows updates; you may need to start over!

We all have our own reasons for doing the things that we do with our systems; we don't need anyone's approval, and we don't all have to do the same things.

We were all once "Average Users".

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Here’s mine, RG:

I have one in C:\Windows\System32\, 15 in C:\Windows\WinSxS\, but none in C:\Windows.  This is also an example of search still working with Windows Search (indexing and the Search box on the Taskbar) disabled.

Also, note the differences in file size.

Always create a fresh drive image before making system changes/Windows updates; you may need to start over!

We all have our own reasons for doing the things that we do with our systems; we don't need anyone's approval, and we don't all have to do the same things.

We were all once "Average Users".

Computer Specs

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It is a common occurrence for the content of the component store (WinSxS folder) to be misinterpreted.  Most of what appear to be duplicate files are actually hard links.  You can read more about it at https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/manufacture/desktop/determine-the-actual-size-of-the-winsxs-folder?view=windows-11

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windbg, Alex5723, RetiredGeek

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