In Visual Studio 2017 RTM VC\Tools\MSVC\14.10.25017\lib folder, there is one folder called "onecore", inside there are folders for x64, x86 and arm, each containing some .lib files that already exist VC\Tools\MSVC\14.10.25017\lib{x64,x86,arm}. What is the function of these duplicates?
Also, what is the meaning of thus "onecore" anyway?
OneCore is a Microsoft term for different targets like mobile, desktop and IoT. The libraries are intended to be used by C++ programs for those targets. E.g. heed that MFC and C++ AMP are not part of OneCore.
The OneCore libraries are also part of the Visual Studio MSVC Redist folder.
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/get-started/what-s-new-in-windows
There's a paragraph in there describing what onecore is. Not sure the exact implications or when you'd want to deploy one over the other, but there you have it.