Why does the recycle bin icon on the desktop appear full even though the recycle bin is empty?

4

On Windows XP, I've noticed that sometimes the recycle bin icon on my desktop appears full even when there are no files in it. If I right click on the recycle bin or open it and go to the file menu, the "Empty Recycle Bin" menu item is disabled.

What causes this state, and how can I get the icon to show that the bin is empty?

Nick Meyer

Posted 2011-10-13T20:20:10.107

Reputation: 646

What icon size do you have your desktop set to? Does it look empty or full when viewing it from a Windows Explorer window of the desktop? – Ashley – 2011-10-13T22:19:19.550

This was the bane of my existence for years. – Shinrai – 2011-10-13T22:21:15.120

If I remember right it reset the state after a reboot? – Psycogeek – 2011-10-14T04:06:10.083

Answers

1

It's a registry setting.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/968873

Or use Microsoft's cool Fixit program.

http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9661135

surfasb

Posted 2011-10-13T20:20:10.107

Reputation: 21 453

HAVE ALL MY UPVOTES. I LOVE YOU. – Shinrai – 2011-10-14T14:21:12.683

Asked: 2011-10-13T20:20:10.107

Viewed: 894 times

Active: 2011-10-14T12:26:49.627