recycly bin on desktop is empty, but in folder, it takes up 152MB... what's the deal?

[zskillz]

ok... I have my system set so that I can see all files. when I open the "my computer" and go to "C:\"... there is a icon for the recycle bin... when I select the properties of this icon, it says it takes up xxxMB and is composed of xx files and xx folders... however, when I open the folder... nothing is there???!!!


can anyone exlplain this to me?

thanks
-Z

[osprey4]

Sorry, crystal ball not working. Please post the OS.

[zskillz]

hahAH... oops
sorry about taht

winXP, but it does the same thing in win2kpro as well

-Z

[NeoStarO1]

In Regards to your title, you stated bin is empty but folder shows x amount of space being used. In XP thier is a folder called Recycler this is independant of the recycle bin.

Open up your Explorer Window and you'll see the recycle bin (same as one on desktop) Down towards the bottom of the tree.
Highlight System C: You'll also see a folder called Recycler Under System C:

Two different things.

if you delete something on your computer it goes to the recycle bin (one with picture of trashcan) It won't go into the Recycler. the recycler is something else. Not sure its function as of yet.

[JohnE.]

Do you have Norton Systemworks (or Utilities) installed? Perhaps the Recycle Bin is empty but there are still Norton Protected Files in there?

JohnE.

[zskillz]

no norton or anything like that...


NeoStar hit it though... It's the Recycler that I'm confused by apparently.. what is it?

-Z

[Eraserhead]

I checked the "recycled" folder in a command prompt on my PC (XP home) and there were a handful of small files in there, presumably stuff I'd previously deleted.
They cleared off no problem using a simple DEL *.* command but I don't know why they were still in there - the Recycle Bin showed as empty.
I put a post in a while back about the Temporary Internet Files doing the same thing - they don't all get deleted. There's still tons of them in the content.IE5 folder even after a cleanout.
I've no idea why Windows does this, unless it's just very inefficient at deleting stuff...