# Course 36 - Windows Forensics and Tools | Episode 10: Decoding Metadata and File Internals

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Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/cybercode-academy-7578615/course-36-windows-forensics-and-tools-episode-10-decoding-metadata-and-file-internals.md
Podcast: [CyberCode Academy](https://stenobird.com/podcast/cybercode-academy-7578615)
Published: 2026-06-08T06:00:02+00:00
Episode link: https://www.spreaker.com/episode/course-36-windows-forensics-and-tools-episode-10-decoding-metadata-and-file-internals--72013766
Audio file: https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/72013766/forensic_internals_of_the_windows_recycle_bin.mp3
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Duration seconds: 1348

## Resource

In this lesson, you’ll learn about: Windows Recycle Bin forensics and deleted file recovery1. Why the Recycle Bin Matters in Forensics Deleting a file in Windows does not immediately erase it Instead, Windows: Moves it to a hidden system structure Renames it Keeps both metadata and data intact 🔹 Key Idea The Recycle Bin is often a hidden evidence repository 2. Core Forensic Insight Deleted files usually remain: On disk (physically intact) With modified references only 👉 Result: Investigators can often recover: Files Paths Deletion timestamps 3. Legacy Windows Recycle Bin (Windows XP and earlier)🔹 Structure Used INFO2 file Stored inside: Recycler folder 🔹 What it contains Original file path File size Deletion order 👉 Key Insight: Acts as an index of deleted files 4. Modern Windows Recycle Bin (Vista → Windows 10)🔹 Structure Used $Recycle.Bin 🔹 File Pair SystemEach deleted file creates two entries: $R file Contains actual file data $I file Contains metadata: Original name Path Deletion timestamp 👉 Key Insight: Data and metadata are split for tracking integrity 5. Windows 10 Forensic Markers🔹 Version Identification $I file headers contain version indicators: 01 → older Windows versions 02 → Windows 10 era 🔹 Why it matters Helps investigators determine: Operating system version Timeline of deletion activity 6. Hex-Level Analysis🔹 Tools used Hex editors Forensic analysis tools 🔹 What investigators extract File paths Deletion timestamps File size metadata Original filenames 👉 Key Insight: Even “deleted” files can be reconstructed byte-by-byte 7. Forensic Workflow🔹 Step-by-step process Access $Recycle.Bin Match $R and $I files Decode metadata Reconstruct original file structure Extract evidence 8. Investigative Value🔹 What can be recovered Deleted documents Malware payloads S…

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