Windows XP "Recycled"

Using EasyCleaner by ToniArts (doing the space usage command), I see I have a sub-directory called "recycled." It has lots of files I think I don't need in any form. How do I delete it and why is it there?

Also, in the Windows subdirectory, I have files that say stuff like $NtunistallKB839645$. I assume those are from when I upgraded from Windows 98 to XP. Can I get rid of them?

Thanks.

 

Hmmm. I don't think it's my recycle bin, because that is empty. The "recycled" files include a lot of old UT2003 maps and such. Is it a different area on my computer or not?

As for the other files with the funny characters, besides the one you identified as an old hotfix, there are many of them taking up quite a bit of space. Some say service pack unistall, service pack distribution, etc, but most contain the phrase unistall somewhere in the name. Can I delete them? I know it's my fire I'm playing with, but I'd like to free up more space on my hard drive.

Thanks again.

 

Hello JRG,

Can I delete them? I know it's my fire I'm playing with, but I'd like to free up more space on my hard drive.

Burn them out.

Deleting the Service Pack and Hotfix uninstall files will make them disappear from Add/Remove on re-boot. If for some reason you had to use one of them, downloading the file(s) again will add the item back into Add/Remove.

Regards - Charles

 

Thanks.

But what is that "recycled" file all about anyway?

 

Under normal conditions, the name "Recycled" is used to designate the Recycle Bin folder on a FAT32 file system.

The name "Recycler" is used when the file system is NTFS.

 

So, bottom line: can I delete the "recycled" folder (all 2 GB of it)?

Thanks

 

It's fair game for deletion. MS approves of doing it when corruption of the Recycle Bin is an issue. It recreates itself upon reboot. Post back if you need method help.

 

Yes, I need help to get rid of it; I see it only in the Easy Cleaner program, not in explorer. How do I get to it and get rid of it?

 

That's the trouble with most Registry Cleaners, they tend to joust with phantoms and lead you to think you have trouble when you don't.

If Windows Explorer doesn't see the files, and you have it set to see all files, I would advise you to forget about them. They are most likely left on the drive after the Recycle Bin was dumped. When you do that it merely recreates the file list (info.dat) but doesn't actually delete any files. That's how many users are able to recoup files that have been dumped. They're still on the drive but not listed. They also have no status with the system and will be written over when it comes handy.