Knowledge Base

Files Deleted at MS-DOS Prompt Do Not Go to Recycle Bin

Article ID: 120681

Article Last Modified on 1/19/2007

Microsoft Windows 95
Microsoft Windows 98 Standard Edition
Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 Standard Edition
Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 Developer Edition

This article was previously published under Q120681

SYMPTOMS

When you delete a file when working at an MS-DOS prompt or in a non-Windows shell application (such as File Manager), the file is not placed in the Recycle Bin and it cannot be restored (undeleted).

CAUSE

Recycle Bin is a Windows shell application; it tracks deletions from within the Windows shell only. 16-bit applications and MS-DOS-based applications do not report deletions to Recycle Bin.

RESOLUTION

To avoid this problem, delete the file from Windows Explorer, My Computer, or another Windows shell application. This ensures that deleted files are available to be restored from the Recycle Bin.

Additional query words: command prompt wastebasket

Keywords: kbenv kbprb KB120681