Solved Recycle Bin won't empty.

[therealsimpsons]

Recently I did a total nuke on my HD and switched back to Win7 from Win10. The reason is the software on an old game that I have played online for 25 years won't open on Win10. You do what you have to do.

Some how, a file called 'windows old' was added to my C: drive, and every time my virus protection does a scan, it is prolonged by the scanning of that file, which is essentially the same files it has just scanned. The switch was made over 3 months ago.

I've tried several times to delete the file, and it is so large, the deletion process is forever. Yesterday, I tried to delete it, and the system said the file was too large to go in the recycle bin, do I want to permanently delete it? I clicked yes, and just let it run. This morning I got up and most of the file was gone except for two folders, which I was able to delete to the recycle bin. Now when I open it and click on 'empty recycle bin' nothing happens.

Any thoughts and suggestions would be appreciated.

TRS

 

[Brink]

Hello TRS,

If you haven't already, refresh (F5) the Recycle Bin to see if it that may help if it's just a refresh issue.

If the files are not being deleted, then you might see if the method in the tutorial below may be able to fix it.

:ar: Fix Corrupted Recycle Bin in Windows Windows 10 Tutorials

 

[therealsimpsons]

You gave me a Win10 tutorial for Win7 issue. However, I did as instructed and got an error message:
Invalid Switch..see picture. Now what?

 

[z3r010]

You have typed it wrong, look at /q you have q/

it should be rd /s /q C:\$Recycle.bin

 

[therealsimpsons]

Thank you BRINK, and z3r010. After overcoming my dyslexia, it worked. Super appreciation to both of you!

 

[Brink]