Well, first make sure that the program you were in the middle of installing is uninstalled... check the add/remove programs menu in the Control Panel, to make sure it's not there... It probably won't be...

The only thing that I can think of to manually delete those stubborn files would be to try pushing 'F8' during boot and enter safe-mode. Often files that are "protected" for whatever reason, are no-longer, once in safe-mode, which might allow you to delete them. At least give it a try... no garantees...
(You might also want to try using a boot disk to delete them from DOS... that could work too...)

As for your recycle bin, make sure that you have "show hidden files and folders" turned on in the window options (tools > folder options > view tab)... "WINDOW" might be a hidden file in your recycle bin... You'll have to decide what to do with the file from there... (chances are you can delete it but don't hold me to that)

Hope this helps,
Spacecookies

login to safe mode > administrator
try to delete that file

ctrl alt del > taskmanager, end process for explorer.exe and create new process (file>new>explorer.exe) try deleting those files.

for the recycle bin - if the above suggestions don't work out:
create a new file, like a text file, and then delete it to the recycle bin.  Then try emptying it, hopefully it should show as empty now.  Sometimes it gets confused, I think     :o)

Before doing any deleting, I would run scandisk on that HDD. It sounds like FAT tables may be corrupted and you may have a few cross-linked files. That may be the reason why it's asking whether you want to "windows" when you chose "empty recycle bin".

Hi
  It sounds very like a virus to me. Have you an up to date virus scanner, if not try running one from the internet. The zip file might have been infected.

hope this helps

I agree with st_steve and drcodrco.  First scan for viruses, then (if you're using NTFS), go to a command prompt, and enter 'chkdsk /r'.  When prompted to run on the next boot, answer 'Yes'.  Reboot, let it run, and then try empty your Recycle Bin.

the file cannot be deleted even if i try deleting with some other files, and the file does not even exist in the recycle bin at all.  also the folder is corrupted and i cant even open it, hence cant even delete.  i also scanned my hdd and there's no virus.  is there any other solutions.  sorry for the trouble and thanks a million!!

Do you have all the service packs/updates from Microsoft installed?  I remember having this problem during the past school year and saying ehhh I don't have time to fix it, I'll fix it later.  Somehow, it fixed itself.

Which folder is corrupted - recycle bin or the folder inside the recycle bin?

Have you tried deleting them in dos like suggested above? Is your virus scanner updated with the latest Virus Definitions?

Try removing ALL the attributes from dos by doing the following:

At a dos command prompt type:  ATTRIB –R –S –H C:\filename and hit enter.
the try and remove the file from DOS.

i had this problem a couple of times.and sometimes tricks worked sometimes didn't.the most difficult files to erase i manage to do it ONLY from dos ,but using NORTON COMMANDER,and another time ONLY using WINDOW WASHER .this soft has a setting .something like this(add bleach when empty recycle bin ).the second choise will probably resolve your RB problem.

Hi

The Info file in the Recycler folder sometimes gets corrupted. Windows will automatically recreate the Info file if its missing so the easiest way to repair is to delete the Info file:

Start a command prompt (cmd.exe)
Move to the Recycler folder
Enter the command
attrib -h info*.*
Delete the file
del info
Restart the computer
If its the actually Recycler folder that has become corrupted you may need to delete this by removing the system and hidden attributes (attrib -h -s c:\recycler) and then deleting.