MORE INFORMATION
Each hard disk contains a hidden folder named Recycled. This folder
contains files deleted in Windows Explorer or My Computer, or in Windows-
based programs.
When you delete a file, the complete path and file name is stored in a
hidden file called Info or Info2 (Windows 98) in the Recycled
folder. The deleted file is renamed, using the following syntax:
D<original drive letter of file><#>.<original extension>
Examples:
New file name:
Dc1.txt = (C drive, second file deleted, a .txt file)
INFO file path:
C:\Windows\Desktop\Books.txt
New file name:
De7.doc = (E drive, eighth file deleted, a .doc file)
INFO file path:
E:\Winword\Letter to Rosemary.doc
Each drive has a Recycled folder. Files deleted from compliant programs
are moved to the Recycled folder on the drive from which they are deleted.
Double-clicking the Recycle Bin icon displays the folder listing of
deleted files available for restoration.
Clicking a file and choosing Restore causes the original path to be read
from the INFO file, and the file to be renamed and restored to its
original path.
Damaged or Deleted INFO File
If the INFO file is damaged or deleted, no files appear in the Recycle
Bin. However, the renamed files still exist in the Recycled folder. Even
though the files in the Recycled folder have been renamed, they are not
changed in any other way. For example, a text file is still viewable as a
text file. To restore such a file, you can manually search for the file in
the folder and rename it.
If the INFO file is deleted, it is re-created when you restart Windows.
If the Recycle Bin becomes damaged and stops functioning, deleting the
hidden INFO file in the Recycle folder and restarting Windows may
enable you to again access files in the Recycle Bin. The INFO file is a
hidden file. To delete the INFO file follow these steps:
- Open a command prompt window
- Type cd recycled
- Type attrib -h inf*
- Type del info
Damaged Files in Recycled Folder
No files may appear in the Recycle Bin if the files in the Recycled folder
are damaged. If this is the case, create a copy of the Recycled\
Desktop.ini file in another folder, and then delete the entire contents
of the Recycled folder. Then, restore the Desktop.ini file to the Recycled
folder. Note that doing this deletes all files in the Recycle Bin.
If the Desktop.ini file is not present or is also damaged, it can be
recreated by adding the following information to a blank Desktop.ini file:
[.ShellClassInfo]
CLSID={645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}
Damaged Recycled Folder
The Recycled folder itself can become damaged. Files are moved to the
folder and the Recycle Bin on the desktop appears full, but you cannot
view the contents and the Empty The Recycle Bin command is unavailable.
Deleting this folder and restarting Windows will re-create this
folder and restore functionality:
- Restart to a command prompt.
- Type attrib -s -h recycled.
- Type del recycled.
- Restart the computers.