- The trash can may appear full due to hidden files or system errors.
- The icon does not update when files are locked or used
- Deleting files from hidden folders like $RECYCLE.BIN may fix the error.
- Tools like DCM or recovery programs help restore visibility
Has it ever happened to you that the recycle bin icon on your desktop Windows Does the Windows 10 system say it's full, but when you open it, there's absolutely nothing inside? It's one of those seemingly minor glitches that baffles many users. You may have tried everything: emptying it, restarting your system, even checking for hidden files. And yet, the problem persists.
This behavior can be due to multiple causes, and the good news is that in most cases it can be solved without the need for forma tear the team or resort to extreme solutions. Let's take an in-depth look at why this happens and how you can correct it, step by step and according to your situation.
Why does the Windows Recycle Bin show that it is full when it is actually empty?
The Windows file system temporarily stores deleted files in a specific hidden folder before completely deleting them. This location may vary depending on the operating system version, but essentially, any item you delete goes through the trash first. The icon automatically changes to reflect whether there's content in it. However, there are times when this mechanism fails, and the icon shows files when there aren't actually any.
This can be due to several common technical reasons:
- Locked files that are not shown in the trash because they are being used by some program.
- Hidden or system-protected files that are not displayed by default in File Explorer. If you want to know more about this, check out this article on deleted files in Windows 11.
- Errors in icon rendering, which is not updated even if it has been emptied correctly.
- Problems with the RECYCLER or $RECYCLE.BIN folder, where deleted files are stored and which may be corrupted or contain data invisible even to the system.
Preliminary checks before applying advanced solutions
Before touching advanced settings or commands system, it is advisable to perform some basic checks. Sometimes the error is not so serious and can be corrected with simple steps:
- Restart the computer. Although it may sound cliché, many temporary errors are resolved with a simple restart.
- Right-click on the trash and select “Empty Trash.” If you get an error message when trying to empty it, make a note of it.
- Check for recently opened files that may be blocking its full elimination.
Show hidden system files
One of the most common reasons for this problem is that you have Hidden files in the Recycle Bin, so even though it looks empty, the system considers it full. For more information on how to manage files in Windows, you can read about How to open files in Windows 10.
To change this setting and see the files that Windows hides by default:
- Open the file explorer.
- Click on “View” and select “Options.”
- Go to the “View” tab.
- Enable the “Show hidden files and folders” options and disable “Hide protected operating system files.”
- Click OK.
After this, go to the C:\ drive and look for a folder called $RECYCLE.BIN or RECYCLER. This folder may contain subfolders with long alphanumeric names, corresponding to user IDs. Inside you'll find the files actually present in the trash. If you find files there, you can remove them manually or move them to force a restart of the recycling system.
What if folders like RECYCLER or $RECYCLE.BIN cannot be deleted?
In many cases, when trying to empty or clean these hidden folders, the system displays errors such as "the file is in use" or "the directory is not empty." This is common when:
- A file is being used by another application, even if it doesn't seem like it.
- Hay corrupt files that cannot be displayed.
- The file system is corrupted. In these cases, the trash can may become stuck in a faulty state.
Solution via command line (CMD)
An effective alternative when the explorer does not let you clean up is to use the console. From DCM, you can use the command attrib to remove hidden attributes and force the display and subsequent removal of content.
Steps to use attrib:
- Press “Windows + R” and type cmd.
- Right-click on the result and select “Run as administrator.”
- Identify the drive where the affected trash is located (by default C:\).
- Type the following command:
attrib -h -r -s /s /d C:\$RECYCLE.BIN\*.* - Press Enter and wait for it to run.
- Then manually delete the files in that folder or try emptying the trash again.
Use space cleanup tools
Windows includes tools like Disk Cleanup which, in addition to eliminating Temporary files, can help you force the trash to be emptied, including corrupted files that are resistant to recovery from traditional Explorer. You can learn more about using this tool in this article about Delete unnecessary files in Windows 7.
To use it:
- Go to the start menu and type “Disk Cleanup.”
- Select drive C or the corresponding drive.
- Check the “Recycle Bin” box.
- Confirm and let Windows delete all content.
Other tools and solutions suggested by the community
In forums like Web Forums and articles like Recoverit, some users have suggested additional solutions when the above doesn't work:
- Restart on safe mode and try again to empty or delete files from the trash from there.
- Install file recovery or visibility software like Recoverit to check for hidden files that aren't showing up even with the usual settings.
- Use the CHKDSK command To repair disk errors that could be affecting the behavior of the Recycle Bin:
- Open CMD as administrator.
- Write
chkdsk /f C: - The system may prompt you to reboot to run this scan.
What happens if the trash icon doesn't update?
Windows, especially older versions like Vista or XP, may not properly update the trash icon even after emptying it. This is more of an aesthetic issue than a functional one, but it's annoying. To fix it:
- Right-click on the desktop and select “Personalize.”
- Under “Desktop Icons,” select Recycle Bin.
- You can temporarily change the icon and then return to the original.
- This “forces” Windows to refresh its visual state.
And if none of this works...
If even after applying all these options the trash still appears as full, you can try delete the trash and let Windows regenerate it automatically. To do this, follow these steps:
- Go to File Explorer and enable the display of hidden files.
- Go to the root drive (e.g. C:\) and delete the $RECYCLE.BIN folder (it may ask for administrator permissions).
- Restart your system. Upon restart, Windows should automatically recreate that folder and reset the Recycle Bin history.
Nota: If you have multiple partitions or disks, you must repeat this procedure on each drive.
How to prevent the problem from recurring in the future
If this error occurs frequently, it may be a symptom of other underlying problems with your system. Some good practices to avoid this include:
- Avoid deleting files when they are in use or running.
- Empty the recycling bin regularly.
- Run regular antivirus scans to avoid malware that hides files.
- Prevent forced system shutdown while copying or deleting files.
This type of error can be frustrating when you don't know exactly where it's coming from, but as you've seen, there are many possible solutions, both simple and more advanced. With a little patience and following the safest methods one by one, you're very likely to get rid of the error for good.
Passionate writer about the world of bytes and technology in general. I love sharing my knowledge through writing, and that's what I'll do on this blog, show you all the most interesting things about gadgets, software, hardware, tech trends, and more. My goal is to help you navigate the digital world in a simple and entertaining way.