When I try to empty the Recycle Bin, Windows says The Recycle Bin on C: is corrupted. Do you want to empty the Recycle Bin for this drive? I click yes and it comes back. How do I fix it?
Windows says "The Recycle Bin on C: is corrupted". How do I fix it?
Resolved
Data Recovery
VV
Vince Vargas November 3, 2026
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Reset the Recycle Bin folder from an administrator Command Prompt.
1. Click Start, type cmd, right click Command Prompt and choose Run as administrator.
2. Enter rd /s /q C:\$Recycle.Bin and press Enter.
3. Restart the PC. Windows creates a new, healthy Recycle Bin.
The command deletes everything currently in the Recycle Bin for that drive. Open it first and restore anything you still need.
If the problem returns, run sfc /scannow and chkdsk C: /f to look for disk or system file errors.
Reset it and the error is gone. Thanks.