Member Avatar for caseygray

hello...I am having a hard time trying to figure out what is wrong with my recycle bin...I delete things and they go ...I don't know where so I can't restore anything I have deleted to the recycle bin. I unistalled all my Norton things and I still put stuff in the recycle bin and it disappears...can anyone help me? I am getting frustrated! :mad: :mad: :mad:

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by klevis001

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Quick recap and why this thread is useful: helpful troubleshooting from (checking Bin settings) and (checking the drive format) pinpointed the problem space, and confirmed a rebuild of the per-volume Recycle Bin fixed their machine; later noted the registry approach also worked. That sequence is exactly what normally fixes a Bin that “looks full” but shows no files — the system’s index/metadata for deleted items can get corrupted and Windows rebuilds it when forced to.

What can cause the symptom (files disappear instead of appearing in the Bin): corrupted Recycle metadata, deleting from network or removable volumes (these often bypass the Bin), holding Shift while deleting, files larger than the Bin quota for that drive, or third‑party shell/AV interference. The Recycle Bin format and location changed across Windows versions (older XP used a single INFO2-style index; Vista+ uses per-file index/$I files), so fixes depend on OS and the affected volume. More on formats and internals and general Microsoft guidance on Bin behavior are useful background. (Microsoft also documents rebuild/reset approaches for modern systems.)

A short, safe diagnostic workflow (no commands here): 1) Make a tiny test file on the suspect drive and delete it — if it appears in the Bin the problem is source-specific. 2) Try deleting from an external drive or a different local drive to compare behavior. 3) Test under a fresh local user account or Safe Mode to rule out per‑profile or shell-extension interference. 4) Run a file‑system check and a system‑file integrity check if the disk shows errors. These steps narrow whether the issue is permission/metadata corruption, a bad filesystem, or a software conflict. (General reset/rebuild steps are widely documented and typically result in Windows recreating the Bin for that volume.)

If anything was permanently lost: stop writing to the affected drive and use a recovery tool as soon as possible (examples: Recuva or PhotoRec/TestDisk). Recovery success drops as the OS writes over deleted data. For prevention, keep regular backups, avoid Shift+Delete for important files, and check Recycle Bin size/policy settings for each drive.

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Member Avatar for swatkat

Hi,
Which Operating System are you using?

Member Avatar for swatkat

Hi,
Try these steps. Check whether Recycle Bin works or not after trying each step, if it works correctly then do not proceed furthur steps:-
1] Right-click on the Recycle Bin icon and click "Empty Recycle Bin" (even if its empty) and then check whether deleted files go to Recycle Bin.

2] Right-click on the Recycle Bin and click "Properties" and here uncheck the option "Do not move files to Recycle Bin" under "Global" tab.

3] Right-click on the below provided link and click "Save Target As" (or "Save Destination As") and save the file with default filename (that is restorerecyclebin.reg)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/regs_edits/restorerecyclebin.reg
Next, double-click on that REG file and click "Yes" to merge it to Registry. Then restart the PC and check whether the Bin works allright or not.

4] If the above tips doesnt help, then go to Start Menu > Run and type cmd and press Enter. Next, in Command Prompt, type the command (for XP):-
rd /s /q c:\recycled
and press Enter key. Then reboot the PC and check whether Recycle Bin works correctly or not.

Member Avatar for caseygray

Xp

Member Avatar for caseygray

thank you but it did not work and the command won't type into the line it comes up the system file cannot find the file specified.

Member Avatar for swatkat

Hi,
Do you have NTFS file system? Also, to completely remove the Norton product from your system, try this tool from Symantec.

Member Avatar for caseygray

it still isn't showing up anything I have deleted in the recycle bin...ran all the norton removal program things...is there any hope?

Member Avatar for caseygray

how do you tell if if it is NFTS? or FAt 32

Member Avatar for just_a_nobody

how do you tell if if it is NFTS? or FAt 32

Open My Computer, and R-click on the C: drive, then select properties, there it should say what the file system type is.

Member Avatar for caseygray

thank you!

Member Avatar for caseygray

:) :) :) thank you so much swatkat and just a nobody...I have NTF
and If your file system is NTFS, try this.

Start > Run: cmd

At the command prompt enter:

rd /s c:\recycler

Confirm the prompt to delete the bin and its subdirectories. Reboot the system and save a file to the bin.

If the file system is FAT32, use the command:

rd /s c:\recycled

instead.

Member Avatar for swatkat

Hi,
Yes, i knew it! That's why i asked you the File system :)
Is the Recycle Bin working correctly now ?

Member Avatar for caseygray

yes it works perfect now...thanks!

Member Avatar for klevis001

yes it worked to me the 3rd option.after i restarted my pc i deleted a file and it apeared to recycle bin

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