deleted Win7 files do not show up in recycle bin

Question

On Windows 7, I do not see files that I delete from the local computer in the Recycle bin. The problem occurs all the time in an otherwise healthy computer. The funny part is that if I have the RECBIN window open, and go to another window and delete a file, it WILL show up in the RECBIN!

I have tried 2 solutions suggested on the net:

1. Installing and running ccleaner (the 'fix' operations)

2. Using an elevated command line to delete ( rd /s /q C:\$RECYCLE.BIN ) the folder C:\$Recycle.bin. From here

But I still can't see the files that I delete in my recycle bin.

Here are my observations :

• If the RECBIN is empty and I delete a file, the RECBIN icon on the desktop changes to a "full" state.

• If I double and open the RECBIN I will NOT see any files in it (as I should).

• If I try to restore this one file that I just deleted (by clicking on button "restore all items") the file will also NOT be restored.

• If I try to delete all items, the pop up window will rightly count that I have exactly 1 file in the RECBIN and ask me to verify that I permanently want to delete it. Saying yes will also clear the desktop RECBIN icon (it'll show an empty RECBIN).

• Stating the funny part, again: If I open the RECBIN window and let it open, and then go and delete a file, the file WILL show up in RECBIN normally!!! This is most odd.

Like I said, ccleaner and rd /s /q C:\$RECYCLE.BIN solutions did not work for me (even after a restart), so i'm all ears for anything else you have to suggest!

Thank you very much in advance for your help!

EDIT: for the shake of completeness I'll just add that I am running the latest version of ESET antivirus business edition. This is an office environment and the AV's have been in place for a long time. It doesn't automatically mean I wouldn't have a virus, but i'm not unprepared.

Solution

Thank you everyone for your help. It appears the answer lies in something I had not thought about - and didn't inform you about.

The computer is loaded with civil engineering structure analysis software. This software uses usb license keys, as a means of protecting software piracy and fraud.

Normally these keys are 24/7 on the computer as their corresponding applications are used on a daily basis, but once I removed them and restarted the pc, voila I could see the contents of the recycle bin normally.

This is not exactly a solution , but really pinpoints the cause of the problem - It is possible Windows consider the USB keys as some sort of storage(?) device and try to create the corresponding X:\$RECYCLE.BIN folder , where X is the drive letter of the USB key. Then again these usb sticks never show up as removable storage devices in windows explorer, so I don't really know.

Still in the short term this is a quick fix.

THank you all once again for your help.

This link gave me the idea to try that: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-performance/cant-see-deleted-files-in-windows-7-recycle/28b20a44-c2d8-4814-a968-2448f5e2755c

Comments

[SnakeDoc]

smells like a virus.

[Jet]

Have you tried to delete it using SYSTEM user privileges? (I can tell you how)

[MDMoore313]

CCLeaner will fix slowness due to too many temp files and a bloated reg :-D

[SnakeDoc]

unfortunately this is simply not true. removal of temp files may impact certain things, but "cleaning" the registry has zero effect... ever. Registry cleaners are frivolous and sometimes can cause more problems. - Also, the various "free" registry cleaners available on the web are typically common attack vectors for injecting malicious software. CCleaner is reputable and I trust it, however sadly the registry cleaner is more to make one "feel good" instead of actually doing anything. It's equivalent to defragging hard drives in today's time (OS are now great at keeping things in order)

[SnakeDoc]

^ ran out of room -- OS's are great at keeping things in check filesystem-wise now-a-days and the need to defrag is almost gone (win vista+ automatically does disk cleanup regularly which involves a defrag check).

[MDMoore313]

So what about cleaning up file associations to programs that are no longer installed? Where the user double clicks on a .doc file but since Word isn't installed it just poops out, for lack of a better phrase. The reg is a database and invalid pointers can cause lack of performance. A prime example is when if I right-clicked on my desktop but had tons of invalid entries for my desktop context menu, it would be ages before that menu appeared.

[SnakeDoc]

@MDMoore313 it is exactly like a database, which is why "registry cleaners" have no effect. The system (windows) does not look at all registry keys in the registry for every lookup, they are ID'ed and it queries those ID's, and returns the results. Having invalid pointers does nothing, except be annoying. It should not slow down menu load since windows is only displaying what the registry tells it, it is not looking up the registry, then finding the program, program path, etc. thats all given to it. Also, an unistaller should remove it's registry key associations... should...

[SnakeDoc]

@MDMoore313 -- i think we're straying a little off topic anyways.. if the OP wants to run CCleaner reg cleaner, go for it. I don't predict any results - especially in regards to fixing the original problem.

[SnakeDoc]

usually Antivirus protection programs will not find any infections (or the right infections) once a system is compromised. Any virus coder now-a-days worth his 2 salts specifically targets the antivirus program and renders it noneffective. This is the very reason program like Combofix exist. Also, for SFC to run properly (especially from a once infected machine) it is critical you first SFC /PURGECACHE - otherwise SFC is replacing corrupted dll's with infected ones. Also, for SFC to work properly you need your installation disk in the computer (so it can get clean copies of dll's)

[SnakeDoc]

if you are afraid of Combofix, I'd suggest running SuperAntiSpyware in addition to the MalwareBytes CharlieRB recommended. Skip SpyBot entirely... it's old school and not very effective anymore. (sorry CharlieRB ;-P )

[SnakeDoc]

the $RECYCLE.BIN directory on the removable device should not effect your global recycle bin... this is strange.

[nass]

it seems irrelevant, i agree. However, powering up without the usb keys was the only thing I did differently and it solved the problem. Go figure...

[MarcusJ]

No, files deleted from a flash drive merely disappear, even in Windows 7.

[nass]

@MarcusJ hi there, the usb license keys are not flash drives. however, it is possible - due to some bug in the way windows 7 identify potential drives to place $RECYCLE.BIN directories - that the whole system fails to present deleted files exactly because it can not identify the usb devices correctly.

[MarcusJ]

I know they're not, I was answering the other commentor that said they ended up in the recycle bin, I've lost files for ever by "putting them into the recycle bin" and them just deleting themselves instead.