del $RECYCLE.BIN


  1. s00
    Posts : 220
    windows 7 home preminm x64
       #1

    del $RECYCLE.BIN


    how delete $RECYCLE.BIN folder or empty it?
    $RECYCLE.BIN folder is about 2 GB in size!!!!!!!!
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 18,415
    windows 7 home 64bit
       #2

    Hi there ... You should only delete from the Recycle Bin not the $RECYCLE.BIN these files have already been deleted in theory ... Just leave them alone ...
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 72,036
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
       #3

    Hello s00,

    I agree with Maxie. You should only delete the files from within the Recycle Bin. The only time you should delete the $Recycle.bin file on a drive is if you are unable to delete them from within the Recycle Bin.

    Recycle Bin Corrupted - Cannot Delete File or Folder

    Hope this helps, :)
    Shawn
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 4,466
    Windows 10 Education 64 bit
       #4

    I've had the recycle bin retain deleted files from a pervious OS install even when you click empty the recycle bin. Example, deleted files in Windows 7 but didn't empty the recycle bin. Installed Windows 8 and then emptied recycle bin. The deleted Windows 7 files don't get deleted. This is on my DATA drive that doesn't get wiped on a re install. One way I found to totally clean it out is to set that drive to "Don't move files to the Recycle Bin. Remove files immediately when deleted". Then delete the $Recycle.bin folder. And then set it back to putting the deleted files into the recycle bin which creates a new empty folder.
      My Computer


  5. s00
    Posts : 220
    windows 7 home preminm x64
    Thread Starter
       #5

    thanks Brink
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 72,036
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
       #6

    Glad we could help. :)
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 2,497
    Windows 7 Pro 64 bit
       #7

    The $RECYCLE.BIN folder should be considered a system folder. It's internal organization and operation has never been fully documented and is subject to change. Except for repair procedures as in the tutorial linked to by Brink the folder should never be altered manually. The recycle bin should only be emptied by the established procedure. As a general rule you should never alter the contents of folders you did not create. The results of doing so are unpredictable.
      My Computer


 

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