Recycle Bin Icon White, Won't Empty

[LovelyFlipper]

Hi,

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

Thoughts?

 

[LovelyFlipper]

I tried running an elevated command prompt with

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

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

 

[LovelyFlipper]

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.

 

[Callender]

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.

​

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

Then reboot.

 

[LovelyFlipper]

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

 

[Callender]

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.

 

[prukeyhi]

you can try assassin tool for deletion
Malwarebytes | FileASSASSIN - Free Software to Delete Locked Files

 

[Layback Bear]

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

 

[LovelyFlipper]

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.

 

[Callender]

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.

 

[LovelyFlipper]

Callender,

If I right click on Recycle bin and choose properties, I get "the properties for this item are not available"
Is that standard?

 

[Callender]

Callender,

If I right click on Recycle bin and choose properties, I get "the properties for this item are not available"
Is that standard?

No it's not standard. It should show all connected drives like this:

​

Maybe try this:

How to Add or Remove "Properties" from Recycle Bin Context Menu in Windows