Unless you are deleting the files permanently form your Windows computer, it all stays stored in your Recycle Bin. The only task of a Recycle Bin is to store data that you have deleted but not permanently wiped off, so in any case, if you want them back, you can restore them from there. However, there can be scenarios when your Recycle Bin can get corrupted and all your accidentally deleted files stored there get corrupted too. In this scenario, you will have to go for the extreme step of emptied the recycle bin and restore the data.
You may not have heard of corrupted Recycle Bin before, but it happens, and it needs immediate fixing. We are sharing the methods that you can follow yourself to fix the issue, unless it is extreme and needs professional care.
Reset the Recycle Bin
You can reset the Recycle Bin with a command prompt
- Type “cmd” on your Windows and search to open “Command Prompt.”
- Click on “Run as Administrator.”
- Type “rd /s /q X:\$Recycle.binand click on “Enter.” Replace the “X” with “Drive.”
- Follow the process it shows, and finally restart your computer.
After the method is implemented, your Windows will create a new Recycle Bin Directory.
Deleting the Recycle Bin Manually
If your Recycle Bin has been corrupted, you can choose to manually delete it with the steps shared below:
- Open “File Explorer.”
- Click on “View” and go to the “Show” option.
- Select “Hidden Items.”
- Type the path “C:$Recycle.Bin” in the navigation bar and click on “Enter.” Replace C: with the drive where the Recycle Bin is located in your computer, in the folder.
- Delete the folder of the content and restart your PC.
This method will delete the Recycle Bin folder from that very drive and create a new one in any other folder.
Restore your Windows
There are designated Restore Points in Windows computer that help you to restore your computer in a previous sate without affecting the directories, but this is not what you can commonly do and needs a strong reason like fixing the corrupted Recycle Bin.
- Press “Windows Key+R” to open the “Run Dialog Box.”
- Type “rstrui” and then click on “Enter.”
- Choose a “Restore Point” on your System Restore Window from where you will operate your Recycle Bin.
- Click on “Next” and review the details of the restore point.
- Finally, click on “Finish” to confirm the changes and restart your computer.
Your Windows will reboot the selected restore points, and you can check if your Recycle Bin is working and fixed.
There can be a couple of reasons why your Recycle Bin got corrupted, but given how important it is for your computer, you must resolve the issue instantly.
