Microsoft says a bug triggered by the June 2026 security updates can make the Recycle Bin permanently-delete confirmation dialog show internal filenames like $Rxxxxx.ext instead of the original name—across supported Windows client and server versions.
A routine delete can turn strangely unsettling after Microsoft’s June 2026 updates. When users choose “permanently delete” for a single item in the Recycle Bin. the confirmation dialog may show a filename they’ve never seen before—often an internal Recycle Bin-style name such as “$Rxxxxx.ext”—instead of the original filename.
Microsoft confirmed the behavior in a Thursday update to the Windows release health dashboard. The company said the Recycle Bin itself still correctly displays the original filename, and restoring the item brings it back using the original name.
What makes the bug more than just cosmetic is the moment it interrupts: the delete prompt. Microsoft described it as a confusing Windows issue that appears after installing the June 2026 security updates.
The company didn’t say how widespread the problem is, but it confirmed the affected scope: it applies to all supported Windows releases across both client and server platforms after the June 2026 security updates.
The list of affected Windows versions is long:
On the client side, Microsoft included Windows 11 versions 26H1, 25H2, 24H2, and 23H2, plus Windows 10 version 22H2 and Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021, Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2019, and Windows 10 Enterprise LTSB 2016.
On the server side, the issue affects Windows Server 2025, Windows Server 2022, Windows Server 2019, Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2012 R2, and Windows Server 2012.
Microsoft said its engineers are working on a fix and that it will be delivered to affected systems in a future Windows update.
For organizations that need relief before a patch is generally available. Microsoft also provided a temporary path: a workaround is available for affected devices. The company said businesses should contact Microsoft’s Support through its Business Support team to apply the workaround in their organization and mitigate the issue.
The Recycle Bin filename problem lands after another disruption Microsoft acknowledged earlier this week: a separate issue that blocks third-party apps from launching Office applications—or opening documents—on Windows systems after the June 2026 updates. Then. on Thursday. Microsoft also fixed a known issue where those June 2026 security updates could fail on Windows Server 2016 systems that did not have the May KB5087537 security update installed.
In the meantime, Microsoft’s message to users and IT teams is clear: the dialog text may look wrong, even when the Recycle Bin itself remains accurate—and the fix is still on the way.
Microsoft Windows updates June 2026 Recycle Bin bug filenames security updates Windows 11 Windows 10 Windows Server IT workaround
So the recycle bin shows $Rxxxxx.ext?? Great, now my computer is speaking in codes. Love that.
I swear every “security update” somehow makes everything worse. If it’s only cosmetic why does it even matter when I click permanently delete? That prompt scared me.
Wait, this is across servers too? I thought recycle bin was just a Windows 10 home thing lol. If restoring brings back the original name then it’s fine but still… why would it show internal stuff at all?
This sounds like Microsoft trying to push people into their subscriptions for “support” because now it’s confusing. Also $Rxxxxx.ext makes it sound like ransomware naming scheme? I’m gonna stop deleting stuff until they fix it, even though it says dialog only.