Do you want to quickly open Recycle Bin right from Windows Explorer in Windows 10? Want to pin Recycle Bin to Quick Access and Quick Access Toolbar for easy access? Here is how to do that.
The File Explorer Favorites section has been replaced with Quick Access in Windows 10. The Quick Access feature automatically lists the most frequently opened folders and allows you to pin any custom folders. While we can pin custom folders to Quick Access by right-clicking on a folder and then clicking Pin to Quick access option, it’s not possible to pin Recycle Bin icon to Quick Access using this standard method.
That said, if you prefer to quickly access Recycle Bin icon from File Explorer, there are workarounds to pin Recycle Bin to Quick Access section of File Explorer in Windows 10. And if you prefer to have the Recycle Bin icon in the Quick Access Toolbar instead, it’s possible as well.
Tip: To quickly open Recycle Bin from Windows Explorer, type Recycle Bin in the address bar (and not in the search box), and then press Enter key.
Pin Recycle Bin to Quick Access in Windows 10
Method 1 of 2
Step 1: Open This PC or any other folder.
Step 2: In the address bar, type Recycle Bin, press Enter key to open Recycle Bin, and then drag-drag the Recycle Bin icon from the address bar to Quick Access, as shown in the picture below to pin it. That’s it!
Method 2 of 2
Step 1: Open This PC or any other location on your PC.
Step 2: In the address bar, type Recycle Bin, and then press Enter key to open Recycle Bin.
Step 3: Next, right-click on Quick Access to reveal its context menu, and then click the option labeled Pin current folder to Quick Access as shown in the first picture of this article. It will pin Recycle Bin to Quick Access. As simple as that!
Pin Empty Recycle Bin option to Quick Access Toolbar
This method will add an Empty Recycle Bin icon to Quick Access Toolbar, the small toolbar that appears at the upper-left corner of File Explorer. By clicking the Empty Recycle Bin icon, you will be able to quickly clear all items in the Recycle Bin. Please note that this method will not help you open the Recycle Bin.
Step 1: Double-click on the Recycle Bin icon on the desktop to open the Recycle Bin. Alternatively, type Recycle Bin in the address bar of File Explorer and then press Enter to open the Recycle Bin.
Step 2: Once Recycle Bin is opened, click the Manage tab.
Step 3: Right-click on the Empty Recycle Bin icon and then click Add to Quick Access Toolbar option. That’s it!
Our how-to pin Recycle Bin icon to Windows 10 taskbar guide might also interest you.
Ammar Quadri says
Thanks
Vicky Latorre says
Thank you so very much. I can finally find my Recycle bin whenever I need to thanks to you.
Steve-L says
This may be out of date in July 2019 for Win10 ver 1809. I can’t perform this as my explorer windows do not look anything like the one above. This is likely due to some other online advice changing my view. But still I can’t find any pull downs that have an option “Add to Quick Access Toolbar” anywhere.
Margart Humphrey. says
Excellent advice…I have tried for weeks to get my recycle bin back on my desk top on my windows 10.
And with the above advice I have managed, thank you!