How do I Remove stubborn files from the Recycle Bin

I am running Windows 10 Home v1803. I cannot delete folders from the recycle bin. I felt fortunate to delete them from my backup drive, but now they are stuck in the recycle bin. When I try to delete a folder (and underlying files), I get an error: "You need permission to perform this action You require permission from Administrators to make changes to this folder." As far as I know, I don't have an "Administrators" user. I have an Administrator but not with the "s". So how can I delete these folders and files?
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The originating problem is this. I have a problem with external backup drives all the time. The problem is I cannot delete old, unwanted files that were backup up from a computer I don't have anymore. In the case above, I somehow managed to get thousands of folders and files to the Recycle Bin.

Eddo51 said:

The originating problem is this. I have a problem with external backup drives all the time. The problem is I cannot delete old, unwanted files that were backup up from a computer I don't have anymore. In the case above, I somehow managed to get thousands of folders and files to the Recycle Bin.

The problem is that the files/folder were owned by the account(s) from that old PC, and those don't exist on this PC. Even if an old account account had the same name as one on this PC is is still a different (and unknown) account as far as the new PC is concerned.

To delete them you have to first take ownership, then you can grant yourself full access and will be able to delete them. You may need to restore the 'deleted' files in order to take ownership.

Change Owner of File, Folder, Drive, or Registry Key in Windows 10 | Tutorials

Change Permissions of Objects for Users and Groups in Windows 10 | Tutorials

You can try deleting $Recycle.Bin folder and restart your computer to let Windows re-create the $Recycle.Bin folder.

Open the Command Prompt as a administrator and type following command:

Code:

rd /s /q c:\$Recycle.Bin

Restart your computer.

Thanks. I'll try these on the weekend. Goodnight.

Treesize Free will do this https://www.jam-software.com/treesize_free/

Bree said:

The problem is that the files/folder were owned by the account(s) from that old PC, and those don't exist on this PC. Even if an old account account had the same name as one on this PC is is still a different (and unknown) account as far as the new PC is concerned.

To delete them you have to first take ownership, then you can grant yourself full access and will be able to delete them. You may need to restore the 'deleted' files in order to take ownership.
Change Owner of File, Folder, Drive, or Registry Key in Windows 10 | Tutorials
Change Permissions of Objects for Users and Groups in Windows 10 | Tutorials

Thanks Bree. This worked very nicely. Quick and easy. I did not know about the takeown command before.