As computer users, we all have different preferences when it comes to organizing our desktops. Some people like to have everything neatly arranged, while others prefer a more minimalist approach. Regardless of which category you belong to, one thing that you might want to remove from your desktop is the Recycle Bin. While it is a useful feature for restoring deleted files, it can also take up precious screen real estate, especially if you have a lot of files on your desktop. In this blog post, we will show you how to remove the Recycle Bin from your desktop in Windows 10 and Windows 11, as well as how to access it after removing it.
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How to Get Recycle Bin Off from Desktop
If you’re someone who wants to keep their desktop free of clutter, the Recycle Bin icon might be an annoyance for you. Luckily, removing it from your desktop is an easy process. Here’s how to get the Recycle Bin off your desktop:
Step 1: Right-click on an empty space on your desktop. A drop-down menu will appear.
Step 2: Select “Personalize” from the drop-down menu. This will take you to the Windows settings page.
Step 3: In the Settings app, click on “Themes” in the left-hand menu.
Step 4: In the right-hand pane, click on “Desktop icon settings.”
Step 5: You should see a list of icons, including the Recycle Bin. Uncheck the box next to “Recycle Bin.”
Step 6: Click “Apply” and then “OK” to save your changes.
After completing these steps, the Recycle Bin icon should disappear from your desktop. If you change your mind and want to bring it back, simply go back to the same settings and recheck the box next to “Recycle Bin.
How to Remove the Recycle Bin from Desktop Windows 11
If you’re using Windows 11, removing the Recycle Bin from your desktop is a bit different than in previous versions of Windows. Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Right-click on an empty space on your desktop. A menu will appear.
Step 2: Select “Personalize” from the menu. This will take you to the Windows settings page.
Step 3: In the left-hand menu, click on “Start.”
Step 4: In the right-hand pane, click on “Appearance.”
Step 5: Scroll down to the “Related settings” section and click on “Desktop icons.”
Step 6: You should see a list of icons, including the Recycle Bin. Uncheck the box next to “Recycle Bin.”
Step 7: Click “Apply” and then “OK” to save your changes.
Once you’ve completed these steps, the Recycle Bin icon should disappear from your desktop in Windows 11. If you want to bring it back, simply follow the same steps and check the box next to “Recycle Bin.”
How to remove the Recycle Bin on Windows 10
If you’re using Windows 10, you might find the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop to be unnecessary or cluttering. Removing it is a simple process. Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Right-click on an empty space on your desktop. A menu will appear.
Step 2: Select “Personalize” from the menu. This will take you to the Windows settings page.
Step 3: In the left-hand menu, click on “Themes.”
Step 4: In the right-hand pane, click on “Desktop icon settings.”
Step 5: You should see a list of icons, including the Recycle Bin. Uncheck the box next to “Recycle Bin.”
Step 6: Click “Apply” and then “OK” to save your changes.
After completing these steps, the Recycle Bin icon should disappear from your desktop in Windows 10. If you want to bring it back, simply follow the same steps and check the box next to “Recycle Bin.”
How to access the Recycle Bin after removing it
If you’ve followed the steps to remove the Recycle Bin from your desktop, you might be wondering how to access it if you need to retrieve a deleted file. There are a few ways to do this:
Option 1: Use the File Explorer
One way to access the Recycle Bin after removing it from your desktop is by using the File Explorer. Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Open the File Explorer.
Step 2: In the left-hand pane, click on “This PC.”
Step 3: Click on the “Recycle Bin” icon. It should be located under the “Devices and drives” section.
Option 2: Use the Run dialog box
Another way to access the Recycle Bin is by using the Run dialog box. Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Press the “Windows” key and “R” key at the same time to open the Run dialog box.
Step 2: Type “shell:RecycleBinFolder” into the Run dialog box.
Step 3: Press “Enter” or click “OK.” This will open the Recycle Bin.
Option 3: Create a shortcut
If you frequently access the Recycle Bin, you might want to create a shortcut for it on your desktop. Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Right-click on an empty space on your desktop.
Step 2: Select “New” and then “Shortcut.”
Step 3: In the “Type the location of the item” field, type “shell:RecycleBinFolder.”
Step 4: Click “Next” and give your shortcut a name.
Step 5: Click “Finish.” Your shortcut to the Recycle Bin should now be on your desktop.
By using any of these methods, you can easily access the Recycle Bin even after removing it from your desktop.
How to Automatically Delete Files in Windows
If you want to automatically delete files in Windows, there are a few built-in options you can use to make the process easier. Here’s how to do it:
Option 1: Use the Disk Cleanup tool
The Disk Cleanup tool is a built-in Windows utility that helps you free up space on your hard drive by deleting temporary files, old system files, and other items you no longer need. Here’s how to use it:
Step 1: Press the “Windows” key and type “Disk Cleanup” into the search bar.
Step 2: Click on the “Disk Cleanup” app to open it.
Step 3: Select the drive you want to clean up (usually the C: drive) and click “OK.”
Step 4: The tool will scan your system for files you can safely delete. Check the boxes next to the types of files you want to delete, and then click “OK.”
Step 5: Click “Delete Files” to confirm the deletion.
Option 2: Use Storage Sense
Storage Sense is another built-in Windows utility that helps you free up space on your hard drive. It can automatically delete temporary files, old system files, and other items you no longer need. Here’s how to use it:
Step 1: Press the “Windows” key and type “Storage Sense” into the search bar.
Step 2: Click on the “Storage Sense” app to open it.
Step 3: Toggle the switch next to “Storage Sense” to turn it on.
Step 4: Under “Temporary files,” select the types of files you want to delete automatically.
Step 5: Under “Free up space now,” click on “Clean now” to start the deletion process.
Option 3: Use a third-party tool
If you want more control over which files are deleted and when, you can use a third-party tool like CCleaner or Wise Disk Cleaner. These tools allow you to specify which files to delete, and you can schedule the deletion to occur automatically at regular intervals.
By using any of these options, you can easily automate the process of deleting files in Windows and keep your system running smoothly.
Conclusion
In conclusion, removing the Recycle Bin from your desktop can be a useful way to declutter your screen and improve your productivity. Whether you’re using Windows 10 or Windows 11, the process is fairly simple and can be done in just a few steps. And if you ever need to access the Recycle Bin after removing it, there are several methods you can use to do so.
Additionally, automating the process of deleting files in Windows can help you free up space on your hard drive and keep your system running smoothly. By using built-in utilities like Disk Cleanup and Storage Sense, or third-party tools like CCleaner, you can easily schedule the deletion of temporary files and other items you no longer need.
Overall, by using these tips and tricks, you can make your Windows experience more efficient and streamlined, leaving you with more time to focus on the things that matter.