Windows 10: On windows 8.1 recycle bin will not empty

I am trying to delete whole recycle bin. As I highlight, right click and delete, a box called running actions comes up with a green bar showing the delete process. However the delete process does not finish and I now have 5 running actions boxes up. it has been like this for 4 days now and it seems there are no deletions. Please advise. Thanks

:)

 

How to empty external drive using recycle bin on Windows 10 computer.

Original Title: Empty external drive recycle bin

I use TreeSize to empty the usb drive.

Is there a way to make Windows recycle bin empty the USBs recycle bin?

I read about showing hidden files and folders then emptying the USBs recycle bin.

It is unclear how to do this as one recycle bin.

 

Corrupt Recycle Bin Error

I tried signing in as the administrator at the command prompt and removing the Recycle Bin directory. I get a response that the Recycle Bin is not empty. When I check the Recycle Bin it is empty.

 

Not sure if this will help you: Show or hide the Recycle Bin - Windows Help

.. or this: Permanently delete files from the Recycle Bin - Windows Help


BTW ... nice to see another 10 Forums user from South Africa!

 

Code: rd /s /q C:\$Recycle.bin[/quote] Try running that from an elevated command prompt and see if it helps.

 

Open Folder Options, and click on the View tab. Select Show hidden files and folders，uncheck Hide protected operating system files.


Open the Start Menu, click on the Computer button on the darker right side.


Click on the C:\ drive to open it, right click on the $RECYCLE.BIN folder, and click Delete. If for some reason, Windows will not let you delete this file, then boot into Safe Mode and try to delete it again.


Windows will then automatically create a new $RECYCLE.BIN folder and Recycle Bin on the Desktop for you afterwards.
NOTE: You may need to press F5 to refresh the window to see the new $RECYCLE.BIN folder. If you still do not see a new one, then restart the computer to have it create a new one for you.


Then set don't show hidden files and folders.