How to Restore a Deleted Recycle Bin Icon to the XP Desktop

There are a couple ways you can restore the Windows Recycle bin.

Windows operating systems provide a Recycle Bin utility that stores all the deleted data from your PC. This utility allows you to retrieve deleted files as long as you have not emptied it. When the Recycle Bin icon has been deleted by accident or intentionally there are a couple of ways you can restore it to its default state. One of the methods includes editing the Windows Registry. Proceed with caution when making changes to the Registry since editing a value improperly could jeopardize the stability and functionality of your system.

Instructions

Restore Through the Registry Editor

1. Access the Windows "Start" menu and click on "Run." Type "regedit" in the provided text field, then click the "OK" button to confirm. The "Registry Editor" opens up.

2. Click on the "+" sign next to the "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHNE" hive.

3. Continue expanding the keys: "SOFTWARE" > "Microsoft" > "Windows" > "CurrentVersion" > "Explorer" > "Desktop" > "NameSpace."

4. Right click on the "NameSpace" subkey (folder), mouse over the "New" option in the pop-up menu and select "Key" from the drop-down menu options. A new sub-folder is created under "NameSpace."

5. Type the following numbers (including the brackets) for the name of the newly created folder: {645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E} and press "Enter" to confirm.

6. Click on the new "{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}" folder and double-click the "Default" file or entry located on the right pane. The "Edit String" dialog box opens up.

7. Type "Recycle Bin" in the "Value data" text field, then press "OK" to confirm.

8. Close the Registry Editor utility and restart your computer.

Restore Through Desktop properties

1. Right-click on an empty space of your Windows desktop and choose "Properties" from the pop-up menu. The "Display Properties" window opens up.

2. Select the "Desktop" tab and click on the "Customize Desktop..." button. The "Desktop Items" window opens up. Select the "General" tab within this new window.

3. Scrool through the list of icons displaying on the window, select the "Recycle Bin" icon and click on the "Restore Default" button. Click "OK" to confirm.

References

• Microsoft Support: How do I make the Recycle Bin appear on my desktop in Windows XP?
• Male K Tips: Windows XP and the Display - Desktop
• Win Help Online: How to Restore the Recycle bin icon that has been accidentally deleted.