Phantom files in D drive recycle bin

Long ago I deleted backup data files from the D drive and switched to a memory card. I not not referring to the "system" backup. These were personal data files saved by the backup program.

The trash has been emptied and viewing the recycle file with windows explorer shows it is empty. When I run an AVG virus scan it scans hundreds of files in the recycle bin. I have no idea of what it is scanning. What can I do no stop this? I tried the AVG forum but they were no help. They just complained that I should not have put the question in the "other" category.

 

I am going to take a stab, when you delete it does not remove the file it removes the address from the directory. If Windows does not show and you don't have missing HDD space you don't have a problem. If your problem is you are in a hurry and don't want AVG wasting time? Then wipe the free space then the files won't be there to scan. If AVG did not scan this it would not be doing it's job. Viruses and other junk try to be hard to find and tricky so you want AVG checking everything.

 

I used eraser to clear the unused space. When it finished it gave errors that it was not able to clear the directory entries for the 5 backup zip files that do not really exist.

 

It appears to me that the Registry of your harddrive is corrupt. This is what happens when some files "appear" to be there when you know for sure you'd deleted them earlier.

Try using a Registry clean-up software. If this still does not solve, you may have to re-format your harddrive.


rgds.