Recycler

[deango]

Hi Does anyone know what a folder on my WinXP OS drive called 'Recycler' is?
It only appears when I unhide the hidden OS system files. Also, it puts a 0 byte file with an icon on my desktop named 'Have a nice day', but it has no file extension so I can't delete it. The 'recycler' folder has a huge long number (36 digits) and that is all. I cannot delete the folder from the tree or even copy the #. No big deal, but I'm curious...........Thanks. deango

 

[Doug Knox MS-MVP]

This folder is where items that are sent to the Recycle Bin go for temporary storage (until you empty the bin or restore files/folders). The sub folders (with the long numbers for names) are the individual folders for user's on the computer, where their Recycle Bin contents are stored. By default, these are protected folders and you don't have access to them, via the usual GUI. You can adjust the file/folder permissions, so that you can open these folders. See Help and Support for File and Folder Permissions.

--
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Win 95/98/Me/XP Tweaks and Fixes
http://www.dougknox.com
--------------------------------
Per user Group Policy Restrictions for XP Home and XP Pro
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_securityconsole.htm
--------------------------------
Please reply only to the newsgroup so all may benefit.
Unsolicited e-mail is not answered.

Hi Does anyone know what a folder on my WinXP OS drive called 'Recycler' is?
It only appears when I unhide the hidden OS system files. Also, it puts a 0 byte file with an icon on my desktop named 'Have a nice day', but it has no file extension so I can't delete it. The 'recycler' folder has a huge long number (36 digits) and that is all. I cannot delete the folder from the tree or even copy the #. No big deal, but I'm curious...........Thanks. deango

 

[Wesley Vogel]

Why would you want to delete your Recycle Bin?

%systemdrive%\RECYCLER\Your SID # is YOUR Recycle Bin.

Similar to...
C:\RECYCLER\S-1-5-21-1708537768-1580436667-1202660629-1003


The Recycler folder is used only on NTFS formatted drives. It's a Hidden
folder.

%systemdrive%\RECYCLER
With at least one folder
SID #
for every user on the machine.

If there is only one user, then there is only one
SID # folder. That SID # folder is the Recycle Bin.

Security identifiers (SIDs) are numeric values that identify a user or
group.

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

 

[deango]

I just wanted to get rid of the two 0 byte files on my desktop that don't have file extensions.
One says Have a nice day.........and the other says Kiss my.............I thought they might be something I didn't want in my OS..............But neither of your responses (although appreciated) seem to address that particular problem............Thanks. deango

 

[Wesley Vogel]

I just reread your first post. Recycler does not put these zero byte files
on your Desktop.

What happens when you highlight each file one at a time and hit the Delete
key?

Any error message?

Have you updated your antivirus software and run a full system scan?

Have you updated your antispyware apps and run scans?

MANUALLY DELETING STUBBORN FILES
http://aumha.org/a/stubborn.php

How to take ownership of a file or folder in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=308421

Delete A File That Is Seemingly "Undeletable"
http://www.theeldergeek.com/delete_undeletable_file.htm

How To Delete "Undeletable" Files And Folders In XP
http://www.bootdisk.com/xptop20.htm#8

"Access Denied" Error Message When You Try to Delete a File
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=298345

You cannot delete a file or a folder on an NTFS file system volume
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=320081

You Cannot Delete a File or a Folder
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;320081

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

 

[Kelly]

It should never be a hidden file nor have an icon with that name. Start by
running this combo:

Run Ad-Aware SE, Spybot, CWShredder and HijackThis:
http://www.majorgeeks.com/downloads31.html

Note: Update the first two programs, once installed, before running.

--

All the Best,
Kelly (MS-MVP)

Troubleshooting Windows XP
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com

In memory of those lost during Katrina &
Prayers and Hope for the remaining displaced.



Hi Does anyone know what a folder on my WinXP OS drive called 'Recycler'
is?
It only appears when I unhide the hidden OS system files. Also, it puts a 0
byte file with an icon on my desktop named 'Have a nice day', but it has no
file extension so I can't delete it. The 'recycler' folder has a huge long
number (36 digits) and that is all. I cannot delete the folder from the
tree or even copy the #. No big deal, but I'm curious...........Thanks.
deango

 

[deango]

Hi Wes. In both cases the error box says: 'Cannot delete': Cannot read from the source file or disk".
I have tried right clicking and renaming the file but I get the same message. Also tried to delete in 'safe mode'..............
And I have done what Kelly suggests in the next message.........Many, many times.....I try to keep a very clean machine and run all the programs every few days. The most important ones update automatically.
I use Avast Anti-Virus, also scan with EWIDO, cccleaner, SpywareBlaster and Spyware Guard...............I will look at all of your online suggestions
..Regards. deango

 

[Wesley Vogel]

Look at some of the links in my previous post about deleting ....

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

 

[Guest]

I hope you don't mind my jumping in with a related question.

I have three accounts set up: the hidden Administrator plus two: one with
Administrator and the other with Limited privileges. I understand that the
SID ends with -500 for the Administrator and then -1000 and -1001 for the
other two accounts, depending upon which was set up first. These are
actually -1003 and -1005 and there are several other accounts (shown with net
user from the command screen) which, I presume, are created automatically by
my XP Pro.

The question I have is - "how can I determine which SID relates to which
user account?". I know that I can check the contents of the Recycle Bins
against what's shown for each c:\recycler\<SID> via DOS commands, but what if
I have many user accounts set up, rather than just the two that I've set up
so far. I know that I can only examine all SID folders via DOS commands when
I'm logged on with Administrative privileges.

Thank you.

 

[Wesley Vogel]

My SID ends with -1003 and I am an Administrator.

SID ending with -500 is for the built-in Administrator account. I.e
S-1-5-21-1708537768-1580436667-1202660629-500
and
%SystemDrive%\Documents and Settings\Administrator

Look here..
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows
NT\CurrentVersion\ProfileList\SID#
Look at the Value Data. I.e. %SystemDrive%\Documents and Settings\Wesley P.
Vogel


--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

 

[Guest]

Perfect - exactly what I need to know!

 

[Wesley Vogel]

Keep having fun.

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In