Rename sitecollection

Question

Im trying to rename a site collection by changing the url by using this PowerShell

$site = get-spsite -identity http://xxx:9000/sites/SCOne
$site.Rename("http://xxx:9000/sites/SCOneNew")

I got this message

Exception calling "Rename" with "1" argument(s): "Cannot rename a site collection with recycled items. Empty the site recycle bin of site collectio

The recycle bin is empty now but I still can't rename and I get the same message.

I have tried this PowerShell to get count of items in recycle bin

$site = get-spsite http://xxx:9000/sites/SCOne
Write-Host $site.RecycleBin.Count.ToString();

but it says

you cannot call a method on a null-valued expression

Answer 1

Maybe you're site is still listed as a SPDeletedSite?

Get-SPDeletedSite & Remove-SPDeletedSite

You may already have used this site name before and deleted it. Check by running the following script:

>Get-SPDeletedSite

You'll see the site (or sites) listed, like this:

WebApplicationId   : 009c1289-392b-43a6-8222-146117074738
DatabaseId         : 88efc46f-5a2b-4171-81cb-7577da65bac3
SiteSubscriptionId : 00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000
SiteId             : 86d69f7e-3a9e-4f65-8eba-550d77f93a18
Path               : /sites/collaboration
Scheme             : Http
Url                : http://portal/sites/collaboration
DeletionTime       : 2014-02-21 11:14:18

WebApplicationId   : c73bb367-d329-4ef2-aef7-323ce207d2a9
DatabaseId         : aeb2d6ab-9f9b-493f-aefc-797d4b591f43
SiteSubscriptionId : 00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000
SiteId             : 9d0ed313-0353-4cec-817a-a491a8c5fc26
Path               : /
Scheme             : Http
Url                : http://portal/
DeletionTime       : 2014-02-19 15:27:37

Copy the SiteId and run

Remove-SPDeletedSite –Identity 9d0ed313-0353-4cec-817a-a491a8c5fc26

That way you won't have trouble renaming the site if needed.

Answer 2

I had the same issue and here is what worked for me:

1) Empty the Site Collection Recycle Bin

2) On the left hand side of the Site Collection Recycle Bin page, you will see a link that says "Deleted from end user Recycle Bin"

3) Go to that link and empty the end user recycle bin, as well.

I was then able to rename the site.