Recycle Bin works as a temporary storage place for all deleted items. When you delete a file by right-clicking on the file and then clicking Delete option or by pressing the Delete key on your keyboard, Windows moves the file to the Recycle Bin. And when you want to restore a deleted file, you can open up Recycle Bin and then restore the required file(s).
NOTE: Deleting a file by simultaneously pressing Shift and Delete keys will permanently delete it.
Windows users often complain about missing Recycle Bin from the desktop. Although users can’t easily delete Recycle Bin icon from desktop just like any other shortcut icon, you or some viruses might have disabled it! So, how to restore the Recycle Bin on the desktop?
If you are not sure how to add the Recycle Bin icon to your Windows 8.1 or Windows 7 desktop, just follow the simple steps mentioned below.
Restore Recycle Bin to the desktop
Step 1: Right-click on desktop and select Personalize.
Step 2: In the left pane, click Change desktop icons to open the Desktop icons settings box.
Step 3: Now, select Recycle Bin under Desktop icons section and click Apply.
Step 4: You are done! Recycle Bin icon should appear on your desktop.
Step 5: Enjoy Windows 7!
And if the Recycle Bin option is unavailable in Desktop icons settings box, you need to enable it via Windows Registry by following the steps given below:
Step 1: Download Restore Recycle Bin Registry file.
Step 2: Right-click on the file and then select Open.
Step 3: Click Yes for the prompt.
Step 4: Now click Ok. Reboot your machine to see Recycle Bin on your Desktop. Note that this will also enable Recycle Bin option in the Desktop icon settings box.
Step 5: Done!
If one of your computers is running on Windows 8, we encourage you to check out how to enable or disable delete confirmation box (Are you sure you want to move this to Recycle Bin) in Windows 8.
Martha says
That works up to the point of clicking on “Change desktop icons”. It won’t click. Nothing happens.
Suzanne says
Thank you so much. You have NO idea how much stress you have relieved. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANKY YOU
Brittany says
Thank you! This helped very nicely. Everything was explained and pictured well so I can easily understand. Thank you again!
sawyer says
BOOM!! thank u so much man helped me out big time
tegan says
OMG THANK YOU SOOOOOOO MUCH!! I HAVE TRIED SO MANY THINGS AND AT LAST SOMETHING THAT WORKS!!
YOU ARE A GOD!!