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How to Restore the Recycle Bin Icon Lost in Windows 10

Learn how to restore the Recycle Bin Icon Lost in Windows 10 with clear steps, practical examples, and troubleshooting tips for safer, more reliable results.

Table of Contents

How to Restore the Recycle Bin Icon Lost in Windows 10 is easier to understand when the core ideas are paired with practical examples. The sections below explain the topic clearly, highlight useful steps, and point out details that can prevent common errors.

Recycle Bin is a place to store deleted user entries. But sometimes I want to recover these files, you can't find it on the desktop. Perhaps it was hidden or you accidentally deleted the trash. You don't need to worry because there are several ways to retrieve the Recycle Bin for you.

How to restore the Recycle Bin icon lost in Windows 10

Re-enable Recycle Bin

If you accidentally disabled the trash, it will disappear on the desktop. Before trying another method, you should make sure you don't accidentally turn it off.

Step 1: Click the Start button, then click on the install button on the left.

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Step 2 : Click Personalization .

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Step 3 : In the left pane, click on Themes .

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Step 4 : Under Related Settings on the right, click Desktop icon settings .

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You will see a list of icons at the top of this window. Make sure that the Recycle Bin box is selected or not; If not, check it and click OK .

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As you can see, the other icons on the desktop are here. If you use a Control Panel or a program, you can add icons from this window for easier access.

Create a new Recycle Bin

If after checking the Recycle Bin, it still does not appear, you can create a new trash. This operation requires viewing the hidden file, changing some settings to see it.

Step 1 : To view the hidden file, first right-click on the Start button, then click on File Explorer .

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Step 2 : At the top, click View , in the ribbon that opens, click the Options button on the right.

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Step 3 : In the window that opens, click on the View tab.

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Step 4 : In the scroll box at the bottom, find the list of Hidden files and folders . Under this category, check the circle next to Show hidden files, folders, and drives to see hidden Windows areas by default, including the Recycle Bin folder.

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Step 5 : Also, find Hide protected operating system files and remove it. You will receive a warning not to delete anything important, but don't worry we don't delete anything.

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Step 6 : Go back to File Explorer and click This PC on the left bar, then access the C: drive, you will find immediately on the top of the file called $ Recycle.Bin , access that folder and You will see the Recycle Bin here.

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Step 7 . Right click on Recycle Bin , hover over Send To and click on Desktop (create shortcut) .

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You will have a new Recycle Bin on your desktop. It doesn't look exactly like the default trash because you won't see the trash full when you add the deleted files and can't clean the trash by right-clicking the shortcut. However, you can still drag files into them like normal trash. When you want to clean the recycle bin, you can double-click the shortcut, right-click the Recycle Bin in the window that appears, and select Empty Recycle Bin .

  • Automatically "clean up" the Recycle Bin on Windows 10

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  • Add the Recycle Bin to the Start Menu in Windows 7
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  • Fix 'These Items Are Too Big To Recycle' error on Windows 10

FAQ

How to restore the Recycle Bin icon lost in Windows 10 Re-enable Recycle Bin?

If you accidentally disabled the trash, it will disappear on the desktop. Before trying another method, you should make sure you don't accidentally turn it off.

What should you know about create a new Recycle Bin?

If after checking the Recycle Bin, it still does not appear, you can create a new trash. This operation requires viewing the hidden file, changing some settings to see it.

What is How to Restore the Recycle Bin Icon Lost in Windows 10?

Recycle Bin is a place to store deleted user entries.

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