Recycle Bin Icon White, Won't Empty

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  1. Posts : 25
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit
       #1

    Recycle Bin Icon White, Won't Empty


    Hi,

    My Recycle Bin icon shows as a white rectangle and I'm not able to empty it.

    Thoughts?
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 25
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       #2

    I tried running an elevated command prompt with

    rd /s /q C:\$Recycle.bin

    But it says "the system cannot find the file specified"
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 25
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Can I delete the corrupt recycle bin and have Windows give me a new one after a restart?
    Is this safe to do?
    How can I get to the Recycle Bin folder to delete it?

    I'm getting kind of desperate.
    Sometimes when I get frustrated with this kind of problem, I make bad decisions.

    Somebody help please.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 4,776
    Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 7601 Multiprocessor Free Service Pack 1
       #4

    LovelyFlipper said:
    I tried running an elevated command prompt with

    rd /s /q C:\$Recycle.bin

    But it says "the system cannot find the file specified"
    Try this:

    rd /s /q %systemdrive%\$RECYCLE.BIN

    Other than that try PC Hunter

    Download PC Hunter - MajorGeeks

    On the file expand each drive and choose the option to force delete recycle bin for each.

    Recycle Bin Icon White, Won't Empty-pc-hunter.jpg

    When done exit the program and refresh desktop (by right clicking on a blank area and choosing refesh option)

    Then reboot.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 25
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Callender,
    Thanks so much for the help!

    I copied and pasted the command prompt you offered and still got the message
    "the system cannot find the file specified"

    Then I downloaded PC Hunter.

    After expanding the C drive under the File tab, I don't see the recycle bin listed.

    I do have my File Folders option set to show hidden files.

    Any suggestions?

    Thank s
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 4,776
    Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 7601 Multiprocessor Free Service Pack 1
       #6

    You need to do the same for all drives if you have additional drives other than C drive. Then you need to refresh desktop and reboot.

    Other suggestions:

    Rebuild icon cache: How to Rebuild the Icon Cache in Windows

    See Option One in the tutorial linked above.

    Also try this:

    How to Change, Remove, or Restore the Shortcut Arrow Overlay Icon in Windows

    Use Option Three Step 4 - download No_Shortcut_Arrow.reg and follow the instructions. If anything is overlaying your recycle bin icon this should fix it.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 194
    98SE/XP/windows7 ultimate 32bit
       #7
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 25,847
    Windows 10 Pro. 64/ version 1709 Windows 7 Pro/64
       #8

    I personally would start with something simple.

    SFC /SCANNOW using cmd. prompt.

    This tutorial by Brink will guide you.
    SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker

    Jack
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 25
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       #9

    First I would like to thank all of you for taking the time and effort to help me.

    I tried all the various suggestions and nothing helped.
    In desperation, I downloaded CCleaner.
    I paid for the professional version.
    I believe you get what you pay for and if someone took the time to design software that is helpful, they should be compensated.
    I ran all the various cleaning tools and after a reboot, my normal looking Recycle Bin was back!

    It was now empty.
    I put something in it and clicked on Empty Recycle Bin at the top of the window.
    Nothing happened.
    I right clicked on the item and selected delete and it disappeared into the universe!
    So I'm going to call this 95% solved.

    Maybe with this information, one of you can figure out what actually fixed it.
    Thanks again for your help.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 4,776
    Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 7601 Multiprocessor Free Service Pack 1
       #10

    Right click recycle bin icon and check settings there. Can't figure out why Ccleaner fixed it.

    EDIT:

    RE: PC Hunter. It's a portable program so you can just delete the folder if not required.
    Last edited by Callender; 27 Feb 2017 at 19:00. Reason: add info
      My Computer


 
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