Windows 10: Why does MS Defender scan stuff that's already in the recycle bin?

Discus and support Why does MS Defender scan stuff that's already in the recycle bin? in Windows 10 Software and Apps to solve the problem; Today I got an alert that it had encountered "Potentially Unwanted Software". When I had a closer look it showed me this file:... Discussion in 'Windows 10 Software and Apps' started by mmo17, Jun 28, 2025 at 11:12 AM.

  1. mmo17 Win User

    Why does MS Defender scan stuff that's already in the recycle bin?


    Today I got an alert that it had encountered "Potentially Unwanted Software". When I had a closer look it showed me this file: C:\$RECYCLE.BIN\S-1-5-21-2277661738-35016745-2553375904-1004\$R46J5EQ.exeWhy does defender even bother to scan, let alone alert me of, stuff that's already deleted? -Such superfluous alerts just trigger the reaction that users start ignoring alerts.Can one disable such alerts? Or do I need to define an exclusion for the recycle bin?

    :)
     
  2. Jan Del Win User

    recycle bin

    Hi George,

    To prevent your files from being deleted from the Recycle Bin, we suggest increasing the maximum file size your Recycle Bin can keep by following the steps below:

    • Right click on the Recycle Bin icon.
    • Under the Settings for selected location, select Custom size.
    • Fill up the box for your allotted maximum file size for your Recycle Bin.
    Let us know if you need further assistance.
     
  3. 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.
     
  4. Why does MS Defender scan stuff that's already in the recycle bin?

    Lost Recycle Bin in Windows 10

    Hello,

    We highly suggest to follow the steps below:

    • Click the Start button , type desktop icons into the search box, and then click Show or hide common icons on the desktop.
    • In the Desktop Icon Settings dialog box, do one of the following: To hide the Recycle Bin, clear the Recycle Bin check box. ...
    • Click OK.

    Let us know how it goes.
     
Thema:

Why does MS Defender scan stuff that's already in the recycle bin?

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