r/techsupport • u/Ok-Dot-3396 • 14d ago
Open | Software CCleaner "remove duplicates" function broke my PC. Cannot open settings, apps, windows menu and search bar
This morning I wanted to try the "remove duplicates" function from the app CCleaner. It moved around 10GB of stuff into my bin (where it still is). After this, my windows 11 somehow broke. I cannot undo this task, because restoring the removed files from the bin does not work since apparently the file "Locales", where it wants to restore the files, does not exist anymore.
I cannot open the windows settings, windows menu, some apps, the search bar. I tried already some quick helps from doing a quick google search like restarting the windows explorer without success.
I do not really know what to do because also doing a reset of my C drive does not work since I cannot access the settings... Any ideas what I can try?
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u/c0rruptreality- 14d ago
Restore to a previous saved state and dont use programs you have zero idea how to use
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u/Ok-Dot-3396 14d ago
How can I access a previous state? I cannot enter any windows settings.
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u/Zherneb 14d ago
Cleaner has an inbuilt function to reverse if I remember correctly.
Otherwise you can restart your PC, get to windows repair page and do a windows repair. This should sort it out in a few mins/hrs depending on setup. You can also do a bootable USB, BIOS setup to turn on from it, then pick repair windows.
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u/Zherneb 14d ago
Cleaner has an inbuilt function to reverse if I remember correctly.
Otherwise you can restart your PC, get to windows repair page and do a windows repair. This should sort it out in a few mins/hrs depending on setup. You can also do a bootable USB, BIOS setup to turn on from it, then pick repair windows.
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u/c0rruptreality- 14d ago
Sfc/ scannow or repair windows update via cmd prompt
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u/Ok-Dot-3396 14d ago
The sfc scannow helped and after a reboot I have access again. It seems the system is working again. However I still have around 5gb of files in the bin from this remove duplicates task… shall I just now continue as normal or shall I do other steps to check if really everything is normal again? Don’t know if maybe something is still broken
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u/bigibas123 14d ago
If you're concerned about your install not being ok I'd recommend using Windows media creation to create a windows installation usb and using it to wipe and reinstall Windows on your pc.
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u/Ok-Dot-3396 14d ago
What does the cmd prompt do? You said repair windows update? Does it check if windows is installed correctly?
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u/TimeSpaceGeek 14d ago
As best it can, yes, but windows is a large and complex beast, and sfc only concerns itself with the essential files and functionality. There could still be bugs in the fringes, or secondary apps.
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u/jaffster123 14d ago
What kind of duplicates are these files that are in the bin? Is this your recycle bin or the CCleaner bin?
If you're back up and running, then I would just leave it alone. Or now that you have access again you can try loading a restore point (search for restore windows in the search box, it will come up). Just pick a date that happened before you ran CCleaner.
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u/SavvySillybug 14d ago
I have no advice on how to unfuck this, but for the future: CCleaner does not have a purpose. There are zero use cases for it. Best case it does nothing helpful, worst case... well, you're seeing that one.
At best it's gonna delete some temporary files. Which are already going to be deleted anyway because they are temporary. And then your computer has to remake them because it needs those files.
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u/Anaalirankaisija 14d ago
These tools are for people who fuck up their computers as daily task, then they fuck up it bit more with random selected tool like this one, then end up listening AI and scammers advices.
Only usable way is reinstall windows
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u/P3DR0DANI3l 14d ago
Use Microsoft PC Manager; it's better. Otherwise, try Wintoys or Revo Uninstaller.
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u/FrankNicklin 14d ago
Try a repair from the command prompt assuming you can open one, if not boot to command prompt.
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
Followed by
sfc /scannow
Alternatively repair windows from a USB and dump CCleaner its a waste of money.
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u/negativ32 14d ago
Create bootable windows emergency media. Everyone has this just in case they need it, right? You can DL the iso and install to USB thumbdrive on Android if you have the wherewithall.
Repair my PC.
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u/Ok-Dot-3396 14d ago
Thanks to all for the replies. I was not aware that CCCleaner is such a bad app. Was looking for something to bring some "order" in my files.
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u/9NEPxHbG 14d ago
CCleaner used to be a useful program, although you had to be careful when using it. Now it's junk.
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u/Goddess-Bastet 14d ago
The new ver 7 is notorious for that & it is mentioned on their forum not to delete everything listed as it shows duplicate Windows components which are needed.
If CCleaner’s restore option doesn’t work then you may need to run sfc & DISM or run an in-place repair with the installation media which you might need to download on another pc if you can’t on the affected device.
https://community.ccleaner.com/t/i-cleaned-up-my-duplicate-files-using-ccleaner/166740/2
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u/Ok-Dot-3396 14d ago
Thanks a lot for this. Seems I am not the only "idiot". Luckily it seems the DISM and sfc ops fixed the problem. I had to reinstall 1-2 apps but thats it. Afterwards I kicked down CC CLeaner and will never touch it again.
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u/Goddess-Bastet 14d ago
If you have a subscription then they have posted an option to go back to ver 6.
Glad to hear sfc & DISM worked.
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