Microsoft’s latest security update fixed over 200 flaws in Windows and somehow broke the simple act of deleting a file.
The company acknowledged a software glitch that affects every supported version of Windows, transforming standard file names into random gibberish the moment you try to erase them for good. Triggered by the mandatory June 2026 Patch Tuesday security update (KB5094125/KB5094126), the bug exposes the operating system’s internal plumbing to everyday users.
According to Microsoft’s Windows Release Health documentation, the issue appears after installing the June 9 security update. Instead of displaying the original file name in the deletion confirmation dialog, Windows shows an internal Recycle Bin identifier such as “$Rxxxxx.ext.”
The problem only affects the confirmation prompt. Microsoft said the Recycle Bin continues to display the correct file name in its main view, and restoring a file returns it with its original name intact.
“When permanently deleting a single item from the Recycle Bin, the confirmation dialog displays the internal Recycle Bin filename (for example, $Rxxxxx.ext) instead of the original filename,” Microsoft wrote.
Cosmetic issue, but potentially confusing
While the bug does not appear to cause data loss, it can make it difficult for users to verify which file they are about to permanently remove.
Windows stores deleted files using internal identifiers while separately maintaining metadata, including the original file name and other details. Normally, users never see these internal names. Following the June update, however, the confirmation dialog is exposing those hidden identifiers instead of the readable file names people expect.
Microsoft emphasized that the issue is limited to the dialog box itself. The company noted that “The Recycle Bin itself correctly displays the original filename, and restoring the item also restores it using the original filename.”
The bug affects a wide range of supported Windows releases on both desktop and server platforms. Affected client versions include Windows 11 releases 23H2 through 26H1, Windows 10 version 22H2, and several long-term servicing editions of Windows 10. Microsoft also lists Windows Server versions from 2012 through 2025 among the affected systems.
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Microsoft is working on a fix
Microsoft says a workaround already exists for organizations, though it is only available through Microsoft’s business support channels.
“A workaround is available for affected devices. To apply this workaround in your organization and mitigate the issue, please contact Microsoft’s Support for business,” the company advised.
For everyone else, a permanent resolution is still being developed. “We are working to release a resolution in a future Windows update and will provide more information when it is available,” Microsoft added.
Part of a troubled patch cycle
The Recycle Bin issue is the latest problem linked to Microsoft’s June 2026 Patch Tuesday updates.
Reports from Windows Latest indicate that Microsoft has also acknowledged issues affecting Office application launches through third-party software integrations. Additional reports have described BitLocker recovery prompts, system crashes, and other update-related problems, although not all of those issues have been formally acknowledged by Microsoft.
Compared with those reports, the Recycle Bin bug is largely cosmetic. Still, its appearance has added to concerns about software quality following a major security update intended to strengthen Windows protections.
For now, users can continue using the Recycle Bin normally, but they may encounter some unusual-looking file names when confirming permanent deletions.
Also read: Windows 11 June Update Adds NPU Monitoring for AI PCs, providing users with more visibility into AI hardware performance.