[pots]

I have a large file 868mb in my recycle bin that refuses to be emptied.
When I attempt to "empty recycle bin" a separate box appears telling me
that it will delete but it never does.
I am using Windows Vista Home Premium.

[DMK91]

Restart your PC.
Then right-click on the drive containing the Recycler, for example the C: Drive.
Go to Properties, do a Disk-Cleanup. This should eliminate the problem.

If not, try rebooting in safe mode, since the file may somehow be in use by some program - maybe even a virus, which is why I recommend running a scan after all this, or if it still didn't work.

Edit: I am not sure how Vista is mapped, but maybe you could try this tutorial:
http://forums.techguy.org/windows-vi...old-files.html
It's for Windows 7 though, but since 7 looks a bit like Vista, maybe this tutorial shows the correct location where to do a cleanup.

[pots]

Thank you DMK91. Unfortunately your suggestion did not work. That large file will not move at all. I really need to systems restore, but my only
available reset date is Jan 09. I have signed up for W7 and that presumably will format my hard drive, and I'll start again from scratch. Only 1 week to wait. You may well be right about a virus, even though I have swept with 3 different applications, because I am running extremely
slowly compared to before I had the problem.
Thanks again,
pots

[Phantom010]

Have you tried restoring the file to its original location and deleting it from there without sending it to the recycle bin? To delete it without sending it back to the recycle bin, hold "SHIFT" while clicking on Delete.

[pots]

Thanks phantom010. Unfortunately it is as difficult to restore as it is to delete, in fact, impossible. It is chronically slowing down any internet connection I try to make.
Thanks for trying
pots

[Phantom010]

I fail to see the connection between your file and your Internet connection.

[Phantom010]

Try this.

[pots]

Thank you for the Reset details. I followed them up till No.7 in the second section when the Delete File dialogue box appeared. The 'progress' slot turned green, and that was it. It remained there, I cannot get rid of anyhow. I ignored the warning that came up after No.6 and am now terrified to do anything, I have contacted an engineer who may come Monday.

[tech-win]

Restart Windows and try clearing the trash via Safe mode. If that does not work, clearing the Recycle Bin store folder might help.

ref: How to Fix a Corrupted Recycle Bin in Windows Vista:
http://www.winhelponline.com/blog/ho...windows-vista/

[pots]

Thank you very much Tech-Win. Problem solved.
I used 'How to fix a corrupted recycle bin' Brilliant !
Given that in the previous process I tried, I carried on through a warning 'This could permanently damage your PC', is it now safe for me to Restart ??
Thanks again
pots

[tech-win]

When did you get that warning, pots?

[pots]

When I clicked on 'yes' at section 7 in the 2nd part of How to Reset the Recycle Bin. But all is well now thanks, I can cope till W7 arrives. It involves 2 sections of the 32bit system.
Thanks for your help

[Sami27]

Restart your pc press F8 in 2 seconds after the pc has been turned on,you get alot of options of how to boot up
first try "debug mode"
if that doesn't work try "last know good configuration"

[pots]

Hi Sami27
Thank you for your suggestion. My PC is back to normal now. Maybe I'll have to come back to the forum once W7 is installed after the 29th. It's supposed to be pretty stable, but you never know.
Thanks
Pots