Need help deleting files in recycle bin of external hard drive


  1. Posts : 36
    Windows 7 Home Premium x32
       #1

    Need help deleting files in recycle bin of external hard drive


    Hey guys,
    I have a slight problem. I cannot seem to delete the files in the recycle bin of my external hard drive. It is only a few family pictures that I had duplicates of so it doesn't take up much space, but it is annoying me anyways. I tried taking ownership and deleting them, as well as attempting to force delete them using an elevated command prompt, but no luck. Anyone have any ideas? Please help me out. This drive also has all my music on it so formatting it would be really really hard to do because I am not sure I have enough space to move the music off of it. BTW, it seems to be only one of the partitions that the files won't delete on. Hard drive is a logitech or iomega (I can't get to it it's behind the computer. I could if I really needed to but it would be tricky. It's a bit old but has not displayed any other problems so I don't think anything is wrong with it hardware wise. HDD no SSD btw, if it matters. Please get back to me - I am kinda OCD and it is so annoying!
    Thanks
    klear6
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 3,786
    win 8 32 bit
       #2

    It will be classed as a system folder so you don't have rights check permission and system will have rights remove system is the bin from another PC in which case the other system will have all the rights
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 9,746
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit sp1
       #3

    When I wish to delete files from my external USB connected back up drive, I click on Computer & when that opens Right Click on the external drive & select Open. This opens the external drive & I can see the files, so I delete any unnecessary files. These files then get sent to the Recycle Bin of my C drive & I then empty the Bin in the usual way.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 7,055
    Windows 7 Home Premium 32 bit
       #4

    Start > Windows Explorer > Organize >Folder and Search Options

    Under the “View” menu click options and open “change folder and search options”

    Under “View” tab enable “show hidden files, folders, or drives”

    Remove tick mark against “Hide protected operating system files”

    You can now see the recycle bin folder when you open the external storage drive. Delete the files inside it.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 36
    Windows 7 Home Premium x32
    Thread Starter
       #5

    I already had permissions to see system files. I fixed it...I rebooted and renamed the files and then they would delete. Strange, but it worked. Dunno why. Glitch?
      My Computer


 

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