14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft has resolved a bug in the latest versions of the Windows client and server operating system that caused the permanent removal of files when users attempted to send over 1,000 items simultaneously to the Recycle Bin. The default behavior of Windows 7 RTM and in Windows Server 2008 R2 is to move deleted files to the Recycle Bin, and allow users to easily restore items if need be. This detail is a tactic to prevent the accidental loss of files, by making complete removal a two-step process, designed to permit customers to recover files, in case they change their mind.
“On a computer that is running Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2, you try to delete more than 1000 files in a single batch. However, all the files are deleted permanently and do not go into Recycle Bin as expected. This issue does not occur when you delete the files one by one,” Microsoft informed.
The real problem in this regard is the fact that Windows 7 RTM does not warn customers of the fact that the files are permanently deleted. As a general rule, users can set a certain amount of space for the Recycle Bin. Individual files or a mass of items that are larger than the storage of the Recycle Bin will cause Windows 7 to display a warning message, informing customers that a certain deletion action will result in the permanent removal of the files, skipping their transition to the Recycle Bin.
Customers affected by this issue can resolve it by applying the April 2010 stability and reliability update for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2. The refresh was made available on April 27th, 2010, and is currently available for download from Microsoft Support. As I told you yesterday, the update in question deals with a range of issues in addition to the problem described in this article.
Here are the download links for the April 2010 stability and reliability update for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2:
- all supported x86-based versions of Windows 7
- all supported x64-based versions of Windows 7
- all supported x64-based versions of Windows Server 2008 R2
- all supported IA-64-based versions of Windows Server 2008 R2