Disabling Recycle Bin does NOT delete current existing content?

[pstein]

Assume I have an external hard disk with one (backup) partition which is currently mounted as drive Q:\

Now I right-click on the Recycle Bin icon on my desktop, then select Properties--->Drive Q: and enable

"Don't move files to the recycleBin. Remoive files immediately when deleted"

Much to my surprise this switch does NOT delete currently existing stuff in RecycleBin of drive Q:\
The toggeling applies only to future deletes.

Can someone confirm this strange behaviour?

How can I tell Win 7 to delete ALL currently existing files in RecycleBin of drive Q: ?

Can I simply unhide "protected folders" in WinExplorer and delete all the files manually?

Or is there a smarter way?

How do I delete all files+folders fom all RECYCLEBINs from all partitions currently mounted?

Peter

 

[Callender]

Review this post:

http://www.sevenforums.com/system-security/327637-virus-c-recycle-bin.html#post2741473

Before going ahead right click Recycle Bin (shown on desktop) - choose "Properties" and make a note of all drive letters shown,

Repeat the command in the above link for all drive letters substituting each drive letter in turn.

After reboot and desktop refresh - reconfigure Recycle Bin options.

 

[LMiller7]

Assume I have an external hard disk with one (backup) partition which is currently mounted as drive Q:\

Now I right-click on the Recycle Bin icon on my desktop, then select Properties--->Drive Q: and enable

"Don't move files to the recycleBin. Remoive files immediately when deleted"

Much to my surprise this switch does NOT delete currently existing stuff in RecycleBin of drive Q:\
The toggeling applies only to future deletes.

Can someone confirm this strange behaviour?

I don't find that behavior at all strange but precisely what I would expect and want.

"Don't move files to the recycleBin. Remove files immediately when deleted" does not even hint that existing files would be deleted. Deleting the contents of the recycle bin without explicitly informing the user would be very bad practice and contrary to long established user interface principles. A user might select that option as a temporary measure before a series of deletions and later return it to the default state with the existing files undisturbed.

 

[DavidE]

Assume I have an external hard disk with one (backup) partition which is currently mounted as drive Q:\
How can I tell Win 7 to delete ALL currently existing files in RecycleBin of drive Q: ?
How do I delete all files+folders fom all RECYCLEBINs from all partitions currently mounted?

If another PC/OS or User deleted files/folders on a drive i don't believe you (the current user) will have permission (by default) to delete that data from the recycle bin.

Is it possible the files you can't remove from the recycle bin were deleted by another user ?