Why Can't I REALLY Take Out the Trash?

jmrathbun · 21 Jul 2023

The desktop system I use has a HDD and a SSD. I use the latter for gaming, which involves removing large apps every month or two, and replacing them with other large apps. In between, I normally use the WinX Pro 22H2 Disk Cleanup utility with Clean Up System Files enabled. This includes, apparently, emptying the trash. On my HDD, I sometimes keep large video files that I wish to dispose of, along with a lot of pictures.

Today I noticed some hidden folders with names like $Recycle.bin containing folders with names like S-1-5-18 and other, much longer sequences of nonsense numerals. Access to these folders is denied, but as I was manually emptying my bit bucket, I saw the app trying and failing to delete gigabytes of files with familiar names in these forbidden folders.

I'm feeling really disenfranchised by my own computer! Why can't I see what's in these folders? Why can't I really delete all that garbage, some of which would be embarrassing and some of which would create serious security issues for me if it were accessed, for instance, by a repair technician or by some future owner of this machine?

Anybody know what's going on?

Paul Black · 21 Jul 2023

Hello @jmrathbun,

As a start, have you tried the options here ? > Empty Recycle Bin in Windows 10

You can also to do this using the CMD Prompt or PowerShell.

Also, have a look at the Related Tutorials at the BOTTOM of the above Tutorial [ there are a few ], as they may also be related.

Also, see the answer here if it is your SystemDrive > how to empty recyclebin through command prompt?

I hope this helps.

pepanee · 21 Jul 2023

Take Ownership:
Add Take Ownership to Context Menu in Windows 10

Why Can't I REALLY Take Out the Trash?-image.png

I deleted desktop.ini....

...good luck computer. 😂😂😂
(don't worry, I always delete that stuff, BUT I do not recommend doing that.)

Malneb · 22 Jul 2023

Don't take ownership of these folders they are supposed to be owned by system. The real way would be to rmdir -f $Recycle.bin in an elevated CMD because its most likley corrupted if it is holding GB of data while the normal accessible rubbish bin is empty.

That folder is the actual real Rubbish bin for context but if the two are showing discrepancy like it sounds then its corrupted and you need to delete it so it can repair itself.

Or the guide that Paul linked will also do it.

jmrathbun · 22 Jul 2023

I appreciate all the efforts above. I was able to clear out the garbage on my system drive (C:) but when I tried it on my auxiliary drive (D:) I got the error shown below and nothing I could do took me further.

Why Can't I REALLY Take Out the Trash?-error.png

dalchina · 22 Jul 2023

If you believe your Recycle bin is corrupted, see

Fix Corrupted Recycle Bin in Windows

- from the huge searchable Tutorials section here. (Do feel free to have a look- fully illustrated!).

As you are (quite resonably) concerned as to how your disk space is used, try
Wiztree (free) - excellent- the 3D cushion map displayable after a scan very clearly shows you large files/folders.

I found some surprises- large dmp files produced by certain programs that weren't deleted, for example.

Why Can't I REALLY Take Out the Trash?-1.jpg

which involves removing large apps every month or two

To avoid detritus (files, folders, registry keys..) accumulating due to poorly written uninstall sequences, I recommend routinely using a 3rd party uninstall tool which (a) runs the standard uninstaller and (b) runs a scan and offers to delete items found.
E.g. Geek Uninstaller, Revo Uninstaller. Both have free versions.

jmrathbun · 22 Jul 2023

I tried and failed (see below):

dalchina · 22 Jul 2023

Thank you for your reply.

Unfortunately your screenshot does NOT show if you used an admin command prompt - did you?
Further

You must be signed in as an administrator to perform the steps in this tutorial.

Were you?

Please check that, try again if unsure.

If you did:

Noting you have a lot of .chk files, please

a. Check your disk using e.g.
Crystal Diskinfo (free)
Shows immediately if good.
b. If ok run
chkdsk d: /scan
- no restart required, only scans, report right on the GUI. Advise if that passes or fails.

jmrathbun · 22 Jul 2023

Yes, I used the elevated command prompt above.

Crystal Disc Info showed "Good" health with all blue indicators.

Megahertz · 22 Jul 2023

Enable the built Administrator

Open a CMD window as administrator and type:
net user administrator /active:yes

Logoff and login as the Administrator
Try to clean the bin

When done, logoff and login as the user.
Disable the built Administrator

Open a CMD window as administrator and type:
net user administrator /active:no

Why Can't I REALLY Take Out the Trash?

Why Can't I REALLY Take Out the Trash?

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