Question: I have a `MySQL` table like:

```
ID, Col1, Col2, Col3, Col4, etc...

```

ID is a **`primary key`** and has been working since the table's creation.

What I want to do is delete all but one records where all the other columns are identical.

Answer: 
1. `RENAME TABLE [table w/ duplicates] TO [temporary table name]`
2. Create an identical table with the original table name which contained the duplicates.
3. `INSERT INTO [new table] SELECT DISTINCT * FROM [old table with duplicates]`
4. Delete the temporary tables.
you can also do this

```
Create table new_table{id, col1,col2,col3}

insert into new_table values(select distinct * from old_table)

drop table old_table

```