Windows 7: Virus reported in $recycle.bin folder

I just scanned my computer and was told I have a virus in the "\$recycle.bin" folder. When I try to delete the file within the anti-virus software, it says that the file cannot be found. When I scan that folder it says there is more than 350mB in it, but when I navigate there directly, nothing appears.

I have the folder options selected so I can see hidden folders.
I'm running Windows 7 Home Premium.
My anti-virus program is the free edition of avast.
The reported virus is "WMA:Wimad [Drp]" (but there aren't any music files at that location).
The reported file is an avi file, but with a seemingly random name of letters, numbers, and symbols.

What is this folder and is it a real virus threat?

Hi there, scan your computer using Hitman Pro. If there's a virus, it must find it.

Ok, so I scanned it with hitman pro and there were no hits. I watched as it scanned, and it doesn't seem to have tested much on my D drive, which is where my $recycle.bin folder resides. What does this mean about that "virus" found by Avast? And what the heck is the $recycle.bin folder?

Well, hitman pro scans only the c drive for active malware.
Try scanning with malware bytes anti malware and do a full scan of D drive.

No hits with malwarebytes. I guess that means it's clean, right? So, what is that folder Avast keeps referencing? I can't even find what it's used for. I'm pretty confident that there is no problem, but now I'm just curious. If anyone knows, I would be happy to hear. Otherwise, I'll just be confident that my computer is virus free... for now

Hello Buggaby,

You might see if doing the tutorial below to delete the $RECYCLE.BIN folder on each hard drive to reset it may be able to help get rid of this.

Recycle Bin Corrupted - Cannot Delete File or Folder - Vista Forums

Hope this helps,
Shawn

Welcome to Windows 7 SUpport.
Are you able to describe the issue? When/What/How?
Are you seeing any performance issues?
It is possible Avast is reporting a false positive.
I will further research.

Good morning, please review the contents of the following link from the AVAST FORUM: WMA Wimad[Drp]



Follow this link to remove the virus: WMA:Wimad[Drp] : Virus Solution and Removal

Here is also a link for Malaware bytes, a gratis malware scanner that has shown good results: Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware: Malwarebytes

Adrian