Windows 10: Windows 11 recycle bin shows that files are deleted, but space is not freed.

My 1 TB C: drive was getting full of files in the recycle bin ~250 GB. The drive only had 28 GB left. After emptying everything from the recycle bin, I expected to see gobs of space freed, but free space stayed the same. I rebooted, thinking that would reclaim the recycled space. Instead, I now have only 24 GB left. In another couple reboots, I will be out of space completely.One thing I noticed after the reboot is that the Recycle icon on my desktop is grayed out.Suggestions would be much appreciated!Mark

:)

 

recycle bin

Hi George,

To prevent your files from being deleted from the Recycle Bin, we suggest increasing the maximum file size your Recycle Bin can keep by following the steps below:

• Right click on the Recycle Bin icon.
• Under the Settings for selected location, select Custom size.
• Fill up the box for your allotted maximum file size for your Recycle Bin.

Let us know if you need further assistance.

 

Deleted Windows.old, not enough disk space freed

1. Did you empty the recycle bin ? If not, empty it.
2. Delete the contents under: C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download
   Those are downloaded Windows Updates files and already installed.
3. Open Admin command, copy and paste the line below then run:
   Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /StartComponentCleanup
   This should remove all the no longer used by component store. Will take a while to run.

 

Winndows 10 delete multiple files or folders do not show in recycle bin

Hi R-A-M-A-I-R,

We appreciate you for being a part of Windows 10.

Before proceeding, we need more information to help you better.

• 
  Where is the folder located? Is it on your primary hard drive where the Windows 10 is installed/ secondary hard drive/ external hard drives like flash drive etc.?(which you have deleted accidentally)
  
• 
  Since when you are facing this issue?
  
• 
  Have you enabled the option “Don’t move files to Recycle Bin. Remove files immediately when deleted” under the Recycle Bin properties?
  

Until you will get back to us, you may follow the below suggestions and check if it helps.

This happens when you permanently delete a file from your computer without sending it to the Recycle Bin by clicking the file and then pressing
Shift + Delete keys on the keyboard.

Try the steps and check whether this issue is happening with all folders in computer or particular folders to isolate the issue.

• 
  Open the Desktop, right click on the empty area and click on
  New and then click on Folder.
  
• 
  Now, new folder might have been created on your desktop.
  
• 
  Right click on your New folder (which you have created) and click on
  Delete.
  
• 
  Now, open the Recycle bin and check if you are able to see the folder which you have deleted.
  

You may disable the steps if you have enabled the option “Don’t move files to Recycle Bin. Remove files immediately when deleted” in Recycle bin folder.

• 
  Open the Desktop, locate the Recycle bin, right click on it and select
  Properties.
  
• 
  Select the drive on which you are facing this issue (like C:\ or D:\ or F:\ etc.)
  
• 
  Click on Custom size option instead of “Don’t move files to Recycle Bin. Remove files immediately when deleted”
  
• 
  Check the box Display delete confirmation dialog.
  
• 
  Click on Apply and OK buttons.
  
• 
  Reboot the computer and check if it helps.
  

I hope the above information helps. Kindly let us know if you need any further assistance with Windows. We are glad to assist you.

Thank you.