How to Remove Recycle Bin from Windows Desktop?

Want to remove Recycle Bin from your Windows Desktop, but can’t figure out how to do it? You have come to the right place!

We are all familiar with the Windows Recycle Bin. We put unwanted files there and then either get rid of them or put them back. Actually the same principle is used for a real recycle bin… with certain things. But what do we do when the recycle bin is the way, so to speak? Yes, there are situations like that. You want your Desktop to be crystal clear, and that’s it.

In today’s article, we’ll show you how to remove the Recycle Bin from your Windows 10, 11 desktop and more.

Removing the Recycle Bin from the Windows 10 and 11 Desktop in two steps

On Windows 10 and Windows 11, the Recycle Bin is removed in two steps. The main thing is to know where to look for the appropriate settings.

• Press WIN+R on your keyboard to bring up the “Run” dialog box;
• type in the empty line the value desk.cpl ,5 (exactly as it appears) and press ENTER;
• in the icon options dialog box, uncheck the “Recycle Bin” option;
• save the changes you have made.

The Recycle Bin should have disappeared from the Desktop. It is still there! You just can’t see it. If you want to completely bypass the Recycle Bin functionality by immediately destroying all the files you are deleting, you should do the following:

• put the Recycle Bin can back in place by doing the opposite of the above;
• click on the Recycle Bin icon and choose “Properties”;
• check the “Destroy files immediately after deleting them…” option;
• optionally, you can also activate the “Ask for confirmation of deletion” option;
• save the changes.

Among other things, you can also reach the icon settings via the system settings:

• press WIN+I to open the “Settings” window;
• Go to “Personalization”→”Themes”→”Desktop icon options”;
• activate the “Recycle Bin” item.

Ways to remove Recycle Bin on older versions of Windows

On older versions of Windows, such as seven, eight and even earlier versions of ten, you can get to the icon options section as follows:

• press WIN+R to bring up the “Run” window;
• type CONTROL and press ENTER;
• switch to display large or small icons in the viewing mode (the upper right corner of the window);
• open the “Personalization”→”Change desktop icons” sections;
• deactivate “Recycle Bin” item and save the changes.

How to remove Recycle Bin from the Desktop using alternative methods

Alternative ways to disable the Recycle Bin on the Windows Desktop include two system components:

• local group policy;
• Windows registry.

Let’s quickly go through them both.

Deactivating the Recycle Bin via Group Policy

Important note: this method is not available for home edition of Windows. Only from the professional version and higher.

• Press WIN+R and run gpedit.msc;
• once in the editor, go to “User Configuration”→”Administrative Templates”→”Windows Components”→”Explorer”;
• double-click on “Do not move deleted files to Recycle Bin” to open its properties;
• check the “Enabled” box and save your changes;
• restart your PC.

Deactivate Recycle Bin via Registry Editor

Works on any edition of Windows.

• press WIN+R and run regedit;
• on the left side of the editor go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER→SOFTWARE→Microsoft→Windows→CurrentVersion→Policies→Explorer;
• click on the right side of the editor window and select “Create” → “DWORD Parameter”;
• now double-click on the parameter you have just created;
• name the parameter “NoRecycleFiles” and set its value to one (1);
• close all open windows and restart your PC.

The above methods will deactivate the Recycle Bin feature, but will not remove it from the Desktop!

What to do if the Recycle Bin must be accessed?

It happens sometimes: you decide to remove it at first and then remember that you need to get something out of there right away. You don’t want to have to go through all the options again. Here’s what you can do:

• open the system Explorer (e.g. WIN+R→explorer);
• switch to the “View” tab in the menu bar of the window;
• click the “Show or Hide” drop-down menu and activate the “Hidden Items” option;
• use the Explorer address bar to navigate to C:\$Recycle.bin\.

Alternatively, you can access the invisible Recycle Bin via a shortcut in the same Explorer. Select Quick Access on the left side of the window, click on the drop down arrow and click on “Recycle Bin”.

As you can see, the Windows Recycle Bin can be manipulated in many different ways. And technically, it is possible to remove the Recycle Bin from the Desktop, and much easier than it looks. Just follow the instructions above and you will undoubtedly succeed.

Nothing worked? Please tell us your situation in the comments! Maybe we can help you.

Authordman