How to Add Recycle Bin to File Explorer

Do you often find yourself searching for the Recycle Bin when managing your files in File Explorer? Wouldn't it be great if you could easily access the Recycle Bin in File Explorer? If the answer is yes, you've come to the right place!

This guide will show you all the steps required to show the Recycle Bin in File Explorer, regardless of whether you are using Windows 10 or Windows 11. Moreover, there are multiple methods to do it, depending on your preference.

1. Add Recycle Bin to File Explorer by pinning it to Quick access

This is probably the easiest method to show the Recycle Bin in File Explorer and is also the favorite method. Here is how to do it in both Windows 10 and Windows 11:

1.1. How to pin Recycle Bin to File Explorer in Windows 10

First, launch File Explorer—a quick way is to press Win + E on your keyboard. Then, drag the Recycle Bin icon from the desktop to the Quick access section in the left pane of File Explorer.

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What you will get after doing this is a neat Recycle Bin entry in the Quick access list from File Explorer.

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1.2. How to pin Recycle Bin to File Explorer in Windows 11

In Windows 11, the process is even easier. To show the Recycle Bin in File Explorer, right-click or press and hold the Recycle Bin icon on the desktop, then select Pin to Quick access from the context menu.

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Alternatively, you can also drag the Recycle Bin icon to the Quick access list in File Explorer, just like in Windows 10.

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In both cases, you'll see the Recycle Bin listed in the Quick access panel on the left side of File Explorer.

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2. Add Recycle Bin to File Explorer by showing all folders

Another way to get the Recycle Bin in File Explorer is to set the file manager to show all the folders you need in Windows. Unfortunately, this means that in addition to the Recycle Bin, you will also see other items like Libraries or Control Panel, which you may not want. However, some people may prefer this method, so here's how:

2.1. How to add Recycle Bin to File Explorer in Windows 10 by enabling "Show all folders"

To make Windows 10's File Explorer show all folders, open it, select the View tab at the top, and click the Options button from the ribbon interface. Then, in the Folder Options window , go to the View tab, check the Show all folders setting , and click OK.

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You should then immediately see the Recycle Bin added to the bottom of the folder list in File Explorer's navigation panel.

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And that's it! Now, let's see how to do the same in Windows 11:

2.2. How to add Recycle Bin to File Explorer in Windows 11 by enabling "Show all folders"

If you're using Windows 11, open File Explorer, click the … button in the top toolbar, and select Options from the menu that appears.

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The Folder Options window will open. In it, select the View tab, enable the Show all folders option in the Advanced settings list , and click OK .

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The Folder Options window then closes and the Recycle Bin is immediately displayed in the File Explorer folder list on the left. Like this:

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3. Add Recycle Bin as a drive in File Explorer using Windows Registry

This method involves editing the Windows Registry, so you should proceed with caution and only make the changes that the article tells you to make. Any other changes you make could negatively impact your user experience or even cause Windows to stop working. Please follow the next steps exactly as described, regardless of whether you are using Windows 10 or Windows 11:

Open the Registry Editor. A quick way is to press Win + R on your keyboard to launch the Run dialog box, type regedit , and press Enter .

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In the Registry Editor window, navigate to this registry key folder:

ComputerHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerMyComputerNameSpace

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Now, you need to create a new key in your Windows Registry. Right-click or press and hold on an empty space in the NameSpace folder , then go to New > Key in the context menu that appears.

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A new key will be added to the Windows Registry immediately. Instead of the default name, enter this exact text:

{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}

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Then, close Registry Editor and check This PC in File Explorer. The Recycle Bin should now be listed there, along with any other drives you might have on your computer. Here's what it looks like in Windows 10:

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And here's the Recycle Bin in Windows 11's File Explorer:

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That's it!

As you can see, adding the Recycle Bin to File Explorer is something you can do easily. Moreover, there are many different methods to do it. If you know other ways to make the Recycle Bin appear in File Explorer, feel free to share them in the comments section below!

Kareem Winters

Update 12 December 2024