Windows 11 KB5094126 Recycle Bin Bug Hits Every Supported Windows Version
Microsoft released KB5094126 on June 9, 2026, as its June Patch Tuesday update. Eleven days later, reports confirmed a bug affecting a basic Windows function. The Recycle Bin bug causes Windows 11 to show internal file names like “$R4ABC12.docx†instead of original names during permanent deletion prompts. The issue affects Windows 11 (23H2 to 26H1), Windows 10 22H2, and several Windows Server versions from 2012 to 2025.
Microsoft confirmed the issue on June 18 and added it to the Windows Release Health Dashboard. It said the bug is cosmetic and does not affect the actual files. The correct names still appear in the Recycle Bin, and restored files keep their original names. The issue traces back to a security change in KB5094126 that hardened the Windows Shell and fixed a long-standing vulnerability. A side effect caused the deletion prompt to pull raw system identifiers instead of the proper metadata.
The fix is scheduled for the July 14, 2026, Patch Tuesday. Until then, Microsoft advises users to double-check files before permanently deleting them. A workaround is available for enterprise customers. Windows Latest also noted that KB5094126 introduced additional issues, including failures in third-party Office automation tools such as CCH Engagement, Workpaper Manager, Dentrix, SoftDent, and Zotero. Some enterprise users also reported BitLocker recovery loops on HP and Dell systems, though Microsoft has not yet listed those problems publicly.
