Oddly named large file in recycle bin, safe to delete?


  1. Posts : 3
    Windows 10
       #1

    Oddly named large file in recycle bin, safe to delete?


    Hello. I was recently trying to to free up some space on my computer using a program, WizTree, to find the largest files on the computer. I noticed a file (path is below), that was taking up a significant amount of space. Does this file serve a particular purpose, or is it safe to delete? Thank you for any possible help.

    File path:
    C:\$RECYCLE.BIN\S-1-5-21-902421406-1498751020-2984849007-1007\.���002a0000000557400b5a8b81d53b1b45

    (On my screen, the question marks are squares)
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 3,502
    Win_8.1-Pro, Win_10.1607-Pro, Mint_17.3
       #2

    Look at Recycle Bin proper, not the folder structure

    If the original location was a TEMP folder - go ahead and empty RecycleBin

    It's probably part of an install pkg, hard to tell with just a numerical file name.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 3
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Slartybart said:
    Look at Recycle Bin proper, not the folder structure

    If the original location was a TEMP folder - go ahead and empty RecycleBin

    It's probably part of an install pkg, hard to tell with just a numerical file name.
    The odd part is that the file is not showing in the actual recycle bin. When I empty the recycle bin, the file stays. That is what made me think it may have been an important file.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 3,502
    Win_8.1-Pro, Win_10.1607-Pro, Mint_17.3
       #4

    kungfushark said:
    The odd part is that the file is not showing in the actual recycle bin. When I empty the recycle bin, the file stays. That is what made me think it may have been an important file.
    Ok, good information ...

    The easiest thing to do is to delete the entire $Recycle.Bin folder.
    Use Shift+delete to bypass sending it to the recycle bin

    It gets recreated automatically (at boot, or the next time you delete an object)

    My guess is that the file overran the Recycle.bin size and it's stuck in limbo.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 3
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Slartybart said:
    Ok, good information ...

    The easiest thing to do is to delete the entire $Recycle.Bin folder.
    Use Shift+delete to bypass sending it to the recycle bin
    Ok, tried, but it says that the file is open in another program. I also tried restarting Windows Explorer from Task Manager, then deleting the folder, but to no avail.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 2,832
    Windows 10 Pro X64
       #6

    Hi,

    Try redoing the same operation when rebooted in safe mode.


    Cheers,
      My Computers


  7. Posts : 3,502
    Win_8.1-Pro, Win_10.1607-Pro, Mint_17.3
       #7

    kungfushark said:
    Ok, tried, but it says that the file is open in another program. I also tried restarting Windows Explorer from Task Manager, then deleting the folder, but to no avail.
    fdegrove said:
    Hi,

    Try redoing the same operation when rebooted in safe mode.
    If what fdegrove suggested does not get you there, then boot into recovery
    Command Prompt at Boot - Open in Windows 10 - Windows 10 Forums

    Your drive letter might have changed
    in the command prompt window enter

    diskpart
    lis vol
    exit

    That will tell you the drive letters

    cd to the driveLetter that has the errant file in $Recyle.bin

    attrib -s -h $Recycle.bin

    rmdir /s /q $Recycle.bin

    Restart your machine in normal mode
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 2,832
    Windows 10 Pro X64
       #8

    Hi,

    If you don't mind I think a typo slipped in. Happens to me all the time.

    diskpart
    lis vol
    list vol

    Best,
      My Computers


  9. Posts : 3,502
    Win_8.1-Pro, Win_10.1607-Pro, Mint_17.3
       #9

    fdegrove said:
    If you don't mind I think a typo slipped in. Happens to me all the time.
    list vol
    I don't mind at all - glad you caught what very well could have been a typo. I do make them all the time

    Just for reference though, most diskpart commands and objects can be abbreviated to the 1st 3 characters
    det(ail) dis(k), lis(t) par(tition), cre(ate) vol(ume) ...

    Commands that are not unique to 3 characters, such as att(ributes) and att(ach), must use more characters.

    Bill
    .
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 2,832
    Windows 10 Pro X64
       #10

    Hi,

    Thanks for sharing this. I obviously had no idea some of these commands could be abbreviated.
    Should have:

    Cheers,
      My Computers


 

  Related Discussions
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 10 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 10" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

© Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 00:51.
Find Us




Windows 10 Forums