C:\RECYCLER - what is it?

[tcstom]

Hi, when I do a full virus scan on my WinXP Pro home PC it spends most of it's time scanning a directory called C:\RECYCLER. This directory is hidden in Windows (although can be navigated to by typing the path into the address bar) and contains gigabytes of data. Can someone tell me what it is and whether it's safe to delete? Thanks.

 

[jrbarnett]

Hi,

This is the recycle bin. When you delete a file it gets moved here - and is emptied when you right click on it and choose Empty Recycle bin.

John

 

[tcstom]

Serious? I empty the Recycle Bin regularly and no one else uses the computer enough to delete gigabytes-worth of data. How can the C:\RECYCLER directory contain so much? Would it be safe to delete files direct from that directory then?

 

[jrbarnett]

Hi,

Remember that under the recycle bin are directories for each user on the system; if you empty it, your deleted files will be emptied - but not other users' files.

John

 

[bcastner]

C:\RECYCLER is the Norton Antivirus version of the Recycle Bin, and you must empty both the Recycle Bin as well as "Norton Protected Files."

 

[tcstom]

Thanks for the responses. However I don't use Norton Antivirus, only have one other Windows user who uses it very rarely, and regularly empty the Recycle Bin from my account. But still I have gigabytes of data in C:\RECYCLER. How can I delete all this data if all users' Recycle Bins are empty?

 

[gpalmer711]

Open the command prompt. Start Run CMD
type del c:\recycler\*.* /s /q
This will delete all files for all users and will not prompt you to delete readonly and system files.


Greg Palmer

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Any feed back is appreciated.

 

[tcstom]

Lovely, thanks very much Greg. Will do!

 

[ttterk]

bcastner--I admit to being confused. You're so usually right/helpful that I need clarification on Recycler. MS KB171964 (

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;171694)

has a slightly different definition of Recycler.

Help.

Sloth is the mother of invention. Necessity is just a mother...

 

[gpalmer711]

ttterk,
Although the folder exists whether Norton is installed of not the reason files stay in the recycler folder after the recyle bin has been deleted is due to the NOrton Protected Recycle Bin. It keeps hold of these files for data recovery and system troubleshooting problems. As bCastner said you have to clear the Norton Protected Files as well to completely remover the files.

Greg Palmer

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Any feed back is appreciated.

 

[bcastner]

tterk,

I admit to being confusing:

. C:\RECYCLED - Fat32 Recycle Bin Folder
. C:\RECYCLER - NTFS Recycle Bin Folder

The folder is a Hidden, System Folder. The most common issue with the folder is that the info files become corrupted. You can delete the info files, or the entire folder and restart XP. If the Recycle Bin is enabled it will recreate everything needed.

Make sure your Folder, View, options are set to show all hidden files, and that you do not hide extensions of known file types.

Start, Run, CMD

cd \recycler (or c:\recycled if FAST32)

attrib -s -h recycler
del recycler
Restart the computer.
Or, as Greg suggested, go to Start/Run/CMD and type in: rd /s /q c:\recycler

There is another good approach, where you add a 'Refresh' option to the right-click or context menu of the Recycle Bin icon. This rebuilds and repairs the info*.* files that can become corrupted:

Replace/Repair the Recycle Bin (Line 64)

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

To make things even more confusing, many "cleaner" programs hook the Recycle Bin:
Start/Run/Regedit.
Edit/Find, in the Find what box type in: {645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}.
The only reference to this CLSID should be for the Recycle Bin. Many users have found up to 12 references to this key under different third party programs.

 

[ttterk]

Thanks all; all is clear.

Except, of course, why a simple file delete is so complex. This is probably why I shred most any file rather than use the Recycle/Recycler Bin(s).

Sloth is the mother of invention. Necessity is just a mother...

 

[tcstom]

Thanks for all the help everyone. Can I ask what method you recommend for completely deleting files (shredding, as you say) without using Recycle Bin / Recycler? I don't use Norton, regularly empty the Recycle Bin, and still have loads of data in C:\RECYCLER so it looks like I need an alternative!

 

[gpalmer711]

tcstom,
Do you have move than one user name setup on your machine? The Recycler folder contains the recycle bins for all users so even if you empty the bin for your user files will remain for the other users. To remove all the contents of the bin.

Right Click on your desktop and select New - then text file.

Call the File something like empty bin.bat

Open the file and type del c:\recycler\*.* /s /q

Save the file.

Now everytime you want to clear the bin just double click on the empty bin.bat file.


Greg Palmer

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Any feed back is appreciated.

 

[tcstom]

I only have one other user and she doesn't use it much! Will take your advice though thanks. Will these files be permanently deleted then?

 

[gpalmer711]

Yes they will.

Greg Palmer

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Any feed back is appreciated.