How can I delete duplicate rows in a table

Question

I have a table with say 3 columns. There\'s no primary key so there can be duplicate rows. I need to just keep one and delete the others. Any idea how to do this is Sql Serv

Answer 1

Here's another way, with test data

create table #table1 (colWithDupes1 int, colWithDupes2 int)
insert into #table1
(colWithDupes1, colWithDupes2)
Select 1, 2 union all
Select 1, 2 union all
Select 2, 2 union all
Select 3, 4 union all
Select 3, 4 union all
Select 3, 4 union all
Select 4, 2 union all
Select 4, 2 


select * from #table1

set rowcount 1
select 1

while @@rowcount > 0
delete #table1  where 1 < (select count(*) from #table1 a2 
   where #table1.colWithDupes1 = a2.colWithDupes1
and #table1.colWithDupes2 = a2.colWithDupes2
)

set rowcount 0

select * from #table1