How to Restore the Recycle Bin
Method 1 of 4:
Windows 8
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Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, then tap on 'Search.'- If using a mouse, point to the lower right corner of your screen, move the mouse pointer up, then click on 'Search.'
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Type 'desktop icons' into the search field, then select 'Show or hide common icons on the desktop.' -
Place a checkmark next to 'Recycle Bin,' then click on 'OK.' The Recycle Bin will now be restored to the desktop.[1]
Method 2 of 4:
Windows 7
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Click on 'Start,' then type 'desktop icons' into the search field. -
Click on 'Show or hide common icons on the desktop.' This will open the Desktop Icon Settings menu. -
Place a checkmark next to 'Recycle Bin,' then click on 'OK.' The Recycle Bin will now be restored to your Windows desktop.[2]
Method 3 of 4:
Windows Vista
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Click on 'Start,' then click on 'Control Panel.' The Control Panel window will open and display on-screen. -
Click on 'Appearance and Personalization,' then click on 'Personalization.' -
Click on 'Change desktop icons' in the left pane. -
Place a checkmark next to 'Recycle Bin,' then click on 'OK.' The Recycle Bin will now be restored to your desktop.[3]
Method 4 of 4:
Windows XP
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Click on 'Start,' then select 'Run.' The Run dialog box will display on-screen. -
Type 'regedit' into the dialog box, then click on 'OK.' Registry Editor will open and display on-screen. In Windows XP, the Recycle Bin can only be restored by making changes to Registry Editor. -
Navigate to the following entry: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE SOFTWARE Microsoft Windows CurrentVersion Explorer Desktop NameSpace. -
Right-click on 'NameSpace' in the left pane, select 'New,' then select 'Key.' -
Type the following string into the 'Key' field, then press 'Enter:' 645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E. The new registry key you entered will display below 'NameSpace' in the left pane of Registry Editor. -
Click on the new registry key you just created, then double-click on 'Default' in the right pane. This will bring up the 'Edit String' window. -
Type 'Recycle Bin' into the field next to 'Value Data,' then press 'Enter.' -
Close Registry Editor. The Recycle Bin will now be restored to your Windows XP desktop.[4]
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