Laptop unable to use BitLocker on drive with recycle bin fragmentation

4.5

Millions of small files in the Recycle Bin slow down the initial encryption scan.

Symptoms
  • Slow progress at start
  • System lag
  • Disk usage 100%
Possible Causes
  • Never emptying the bin
  • Deleting large projects

Step-by-Step Fix

1

Empty Recycle Bin

Right-click Bin > Empty Recycle Bin.

2

Run Disk Cleanup

Ensure all hidden trash is removed.

3

Check for Corrupted Bin

Run "rd /s /q C:$Recycle.bin" to reset the bin.

When to See a Technician

Always empty your trash before starting a full-disk encryption.

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