Export / Copy Recycle Bin items to include Date Created

mikeincousa · 06 Mar 2021

I am seeking a way to index all my recycled items by the date created, not the date deleted.

I have seen a couple of articles that mention hidden attributes. I am guessing that these data points are what I need to access but have not found a way to get to them from Windows or Command.

Is this possible? If so how can I do this?

The next step will be to download them with all the attributes.

Thanks for any thoughts.

Try3 · 07 Mar 2021

Mike,

I am not at all sure what you want.

If you mean that you want File explorer to list the Recycle bin contents in order of Date created then that is easy.
- Open the Recycle bin
- In File explorer's View menu, select Layout, Details
- Right-click on any column header, such as Name, and select Date created
- Click on the Date created column header to sort them ascending/descending as you desire.

Denis

mikeincousa · 08 Mar 2021

Thanks as always Denis,
Easy enough to get the list now.
I applied the same technique to the Recycle Bin. Works there too.

So for the second leg-how can I pull a copy of the entire Recycle Bin by exporting it from the File Manager or accessing it from the Command prompt? Both tracks will be helpful to me.

Thanks for any thoughts.

Try3 · 08 Mar 2021

Mike,

Windows does not provide any built-in method for copying Recycle bin contents.
- There might be a method for doing so using PowerShell commands for all I know.
- You might also be able to do so by manipulating a utility such as TreeSize [free] but I've never investigated the subject.

You can Cut all entries in the Recycle bin then paste them elsewhere but you'd be removing them from the Recycle bin in the process.

I still don't understand what you want. I cannot see what your objective is.
- The Recycle bin is not a real folder. It's a bundle of cross-references to file locations rather than a location in its own right.

Denis

mikeincousa · 09 Mar 2021

What I need to do is comb through the entire Recycle Bin in search of some critical files.

I may have named them differently than the way I recall.

Knowing that that the Recycle Bin items are file locations is helpful.

What would happen if I restored all the files to the Document folder? Would I be able to identify them in some way?

I woke up thinking that Robocopy might work? This seems to be a problem like mine? Robocopy? Copy Directory Structure 1 level Solved - Windows 7 Help Forums
Any thoughts?

I downloaded TreeSize and will have a look.

Thanks for the tip.

Try3 · 09 Mar 2021

mikeincousa said:

What would happen if I restored all the files to the Document folder?

Instead - you could select all the files in the Recycle bin, right-click, Cut then go to any folder of your own choosing

[within your Documents, within your Desktop, … - wherever you want but I'd suggest a new folder created for the purpose]

then right-click, Paste.

[they will retain their original filenames but do note that all references to their original locations will have been lost]

I do not know how files with the same name will be treated.

- Perhaps they will have (2) added to their filenames.
- You could try rejecting any warning about overwriting files.
- Any rejected ones would stay in the Recycle bin so you could create a new target folder for them and repeat the procedure.

You'll now have the entire Recycle bin contents available for review.
As you work through them you can delete ones you have finished with and they will go back to the Recycle bin.

- - - - - - - - -
Notes
- You cannot "Restore" them all to the Documents folder. "Restore" restores each one to its original location.
- RoboCopy does not seem relevant to me.

Denis