Windows 10: [HELP] Locked user files and corrupted drive bin after recent reinstal

Hi guys! So I'm dealing with this nagging issue that I need your help with. I have recently reinstalled Windows 10. Well, technically it was a month and a half ago but during this time I've not used the machine so we can deem it recent. All I'd done afterwards was install some OEM-provided drivers, nothing else.

So, the other day I finally made up my mind to get my hands on it and set up the software. The very 1st thing I begin with is the security/protection software. I've a license for Avast Premium and so I go to the installation stub file but.. turns out it's locked and I've no access to it:
https://i.postimg.cc/CK69y4zV/runasadmin.png

Whether I just double-click or select 'run as admin' it's all the same.
I noticed some 'file ownership' option in the right-click menu:
https://i.postimg.cc/8sg5kFmP/file-ownership1.png

But it doesn't work:
https://i.postimg.cc/sgdcbybV/file-ownership2.png

Sure, I could probably go to Avast's website and download the installation stub again but as you can see there are many other files locked. While some of them may be installation files of software that could be downloaded again others are personal files and I'm not giving up on them because of some sh*tty Windows bug. So I started looking for a way to unlock all the files and came across this article which claimed to offer such a solution:
How to fix 0x80071771 “The specified file could not be decrypted” error?

I diligently followed all the steps, yet not only it didn't help at all, but now every time I access the file explorer I get this nagging pop-up for added hassle:
https://i.postimg.cc/zXskg5ks/E-drive-bin-issue.png

I read somewhere a purported solution to get rid of it was to delete the recycle bin for the specified drive but I'm afraid of losing files and I don't want to do this. Since the reinstallation I've not deleted any file on purpose. When I access the $RECYCLE.BIN on E:\ drive there are some old entries from previous months and years:
https://i.postimg.cc/FHKJzBMM/e-drive-bin.png
I can't open any of them since I get 'access denied' and I have no idea what can these be.

So, good people, do you know a way out of this awful situation so I can gain access to all my files without losing any of them? If I have to, I may reinstall windows again, but what do I do about this creepy EFS feature that is locking my files? It acts like cryptolocker virus, only that it has yet not asked for ransom..

:)

 

Recycle Bin Corruption after Virus Removal

Thank you for your response. Since the troubleshooting steps provided above does not work, kindly refer to the steps below and check if it will fix the issue



Method 1: Runs System File Checker.



SFC will help you scan your system files and to repair missing or corrupted system files.



Run the System File Checker tool (SFC.exe)



Method 2: Delete all permissions, corrupted recycle bin and reinstall recycle bin in Windows

• Go to Settings > Search for File Explorer Options > Click
  View Tab.
• Uncheck or unhide system protected operating files > Go to open each drive and you'll see the Recycle.bin folder and permissions with an additional recycle.bin;
• Delete all the permissions, all the recycle.bin(s) on each drive and then Restart Windows.

Method 3: Reinstall recycle bin in Windows

• Right-click on Desktop > Select Personalize;
• Click on Themes > Click Desktop Icon settings under Related Settings;
• Check Recycle Bin > Click Apply.

Feel free to post back if you need further assistance.

 

Recycle Bin is corrupted

Hi SivrosJ,

Each drive contains a hidden Recycle Bin system folder, which are hidden and is used as a temporary storage when you delete files on that drive. Just as any other system files, it can also be corrupted and thus, giving you this error message. With that being
said, can you tell us if this F: drive that you have is a USB flash drive or a
portable hard drive? Please advise.

In the mean time, I suggest that you perform SFC scan on your external storage device and see if it helps. Here's how:

1. Type cmd on the Cortana search box, right click on the result and select
   Run as administrator.
2. Type sfc /SCANNOW /OFFBOOTDIR=f:\ /OFFWINDIR=c:\windows

NOTE: replace c:\windows with the correct
drive letter if Windows is installed on a different drive. Hit the Enter key and wait until the scan is finished.

Another step that I can suggest is to reset the Recycle Bin only to the F: drive and see if it helps.

1. Launch cmd as an administrator.
2. Type rd /s /q F:\$Recycle.bin
3. Hit the enter key.
4. Restart your PC.

Let us know the outcome of these troubleshooting steps. To notify us and have us get back to you, simply reply to this post.

 

Issue with recycle bin, windows defender, hard drive space, etc. Dell Support couldn't help.

We suggest that you reset the Recycle Bin folder to fix problems such as the Recycle Bin of your PC not working how it's supposed to. After the reset, Windows will automatically create a new Recycle Bin folder that will work.

To reset the Recycle Bin, follow the steps below:

• Open elevated Command Prompt by pressing the Windows key + X, and then click on
  Command Prompt (Admin).
• In the Command Prompt window, type the following command then press Enter:
  
  rd /s /q C:\$Recycle.bin

That command will reset the Recycle Bin in the C drive. After doing so, we also suggest that you run the System File Checker (SFC) scan and the Deployment Image Servicing & Management (DISM) tool to repair corrupted files in the system.

Here are the steps:

• On elevated Command Prompt, type SFC /scannow, and then press
  Enter.
• After the SFC scan has completed, type DISM /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth, and then press
  Enter.
• Restart the PC.

Let us know how it goes.