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There are situations where you need to reset the Recycle Bin store folder to fix problems such as Recycle Bin not showing the files that have been deleted, or you’re unable to completely empty the Recycle Bin. Each drive has a hidden and protected folder named $Recycle.bin, which is where the Recycle Bin stores files and folders that you (and other users in the PC) delete. Windows Vista creates a fresh $Recycle.bin folder automatically after you reset it.
Fixing a corrupt Recycle Bin
IMPORTANT: The following procedure permanently deletes all files and folders which are already in the Recycle Bin (from all user accounts in the system) and cannot be recovered.
1. Open an elevated Command Prompt window. To open an elevated Command Prompt, click Start, click All Programs, click Accessories, right-click Command Prompt, and then click Run as administrator.
2. Type the following command and press ENTER:
(This clears out the $Recycle.bin folder from the C:\ partition. You may have to do this for each hard disk partition in your system.)
3. Type exit to close the Command Prompt window.
Editor’s note: The above method fixes Recycle Bin folder corruption, if any. Using the above method as an attempt to fix any cosmetic problems (eg. Recycle Bin showing incorrect icon) with the Recycle Bin does not help.
SEE ALSO
Recycle Bin icon does not refresh automatically
How to restore the Recycle bin icon that has been accidentally deleted
How to hide the "Delete" command from Recycle Bin context menu
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Can’t fix this problem. After using this command, it pop up access is denied.Why?
it works thanks
This is awesome It fixed my problem. Thank you a bunch.
Update:
i seem to have fixed it. The command rd /s /q C:\$Recycle.bin did not remove the $Recycle.bin on my desktop, I think. I disabled hiding protected operating system files and noticed there where TWO Recycle Bin icons on my desktop. One faded (hidden) and one visible! I went to users/username/desktop in a elevated command prompt and manually rd /s $Recycle.bin and now I can see and restore deleted files again.
For some reason, while trying to empty my recycle bin, I got an error that some files names where too long for the destination folder. What destination folder??? Thank you very little Vista. Perfect fix though. Thanks.
Hi,
My computer crashed while deleting a ridiculous amount of fonts a while back. Although the recycle bin said they were gone they kept showing up during antivirus scans so I knew they were lingering somehow.
Great fix, worked a treat and I now have the missing 3 Gb of disk space back.
Thanks
i went to
How to Fix a Corrupted Recycle Bin in Windows Vista
and followed directions ok ,
but it did not fix the problem
my recycle bin is always empty
glad you were able to fix the problems above
what do recommend i do next ?
thanks
vane , 80 yrs old in a wheelchair
That’s the bumb! This sovled the problem perfectly. Thank you man.
You are the man! That’s perfect.
I was having a problem with an old installation I had with lots of files on the Recycle Bin. When I reformatted my PC, those files remained in the hidden Recycle Bin folder but they didn’t show up in the Explorer Recycle Bin window. This was the only way I got rid of those files. Thank you so much.
Others would recommend doubtful “Windows Cleaner” programs that would mess with the registry and hidden folders. Your solution couldn’t be any more elegant. See, who said Windows can’t have its problems solved in an elegant way?
Thank you very much Ramesh.
This fixed my Problem!
Thank you!