How to Restore Recycle Bin

Restore the Recycle Bin icon to your computer's desktop.

Incorporated into all modern versions of the Windows operating system, the Recycle Bin acts as a temporary holding place for deleted files and folders. Instead of completely removing content after you run the Delete command, Windows moves files and folders to the Recycle Bin, allowing you to restore items in case you deleted them by mistake or realize later that you need them. If you use Windows XP, replacing a missing Recycle Bin icon to your desktop requires some minor edits to the Windows Registry. Windows Vista and Windows 7 users can bring back the icon through a basic menu command.

Instructions

Windows XP

1. Click the Windows "Start" button and select "Run."

2. Type "regedit" in the "Open" field and click "OK" to launch the Windows Registry Editor.

3. Locate the top-level Registry folder labeled "HKEY_CURRENT_USER."

4. Click the "+" icon to the left of the folder name to expand it. Repeat the process for the following sub-folders, in the following order: "Software," "Microsoft," "Windows," "CurrentVersion," "Explorer," "Desktop," "NameSpace."

5. Right-click the value on the folder labeled "NameSpace," click "New," and select the "Key" option.

6. Enter "{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}" (without quotation marks) and click "OK."

7. Single-click the new Registry folder you created in the previous step.

8. Double-click the "(Default)" item on the right-hand side of the window.

9. Type "Recycle Bin" (without quotation marks) in the "Value data" field and click "OK."

10. Close the Registry Editor. The Recycle Bin icon now appears on your desktop.

Windows Vista or Windows 7

1. Right-click in a blank area on your desktop and select "Personalize."

2. Click the "Change desktop icons" item near the top-left corner of the window.

3. Check the box labeled "Recycle Bin."

4. Click "OK." The Recycle Bin icon now appears on your desktop.

Tips & Warnings

• Take great care editing the system Registry. Mistyped keys or other mistakes can render a system unbootable.

References

• Ask Leo: I Accidentally Deleted My Recycle Bin in Vista, How Do I Get It Back?
• 5 Star Support: I Accidentally Deleted My Recycle Bin, How Do I Restore It?
• Microsoft Support: How Do I Make the Recycle Bin Appear On My Desktop in Windows Vista or Windows XP?