Where Is The Recycle Bin In Windows 10? How To Find It

If you’re asking, “Where is the Recycle Bin in Windows 10?”, you’re not alone. Many users, especially after a system update or setting change, find themselves looking for their Windows Recycle Bin or wondering, “Where is my Recycle Bin on my computer?”

This guide will walk you through how to find the Recycle Bin, how to access the Recycle Bin in Windows 10, how to open the Recycle Bin, and more. We’ll also explain everything about the Recycle Bin folder, its file location, and how to restore or manage deleted files.

What Is the Recycle Bin in Windows?

The Recycle Bin in Windows 10 is a virtual folder that temporarily stores deleted files and folders. When you delete a file, it doesn’t disappear immediately—it moves to the Recycle Bin folder so you can recover it later if needed.

Think of it as the trash bin on your computer—just like the trash can in your kitchen, it holds items you don’t need until you decide to permanently delete them or restore them.

Where Is My Recycle Bin on My Computer?

1. Desktop Icon

The most common and traditional location for the Recycle Bin in Windows 10 is the desktop.

If you can’t see it, don’t worry—it might be hidden.

👉 Steps to Show the Recycle Bin on Desktop:

1. Right-click on the desktop and select Personalize.

2. Click Themes > Desktop icon settings under “Related Settings”.

3. In the popup, check Recycle Bin.

4. Click Apply > OK.

Now your Recycle Bin icon should appear on the desktop.

Where Is the Recycle Bin in File Explorer?

If you want to find the Recycle Bin file location in File Explorer, you can do this:

 Method:

• Open File Explorer.

• In the address bar, type:
  Recycle Bin or %SystemDrive%\$Recycle.Bin and hit Enter.

This takes you to the hidden $Recycle.Bin folder, where the OS stores deleted files.

 Note: $Recycle.Bin is a protected system folder. You need admin rights and may need to enable hidden items to see it.

Recycle Bin Folder Location & Path

The actual Recycle Bin location on your disk is:

Each user account has its own subfolder within this hidden folder.

So, if you’re wondering “where are Recycle Bin files stored?”, they are in this Recycle Bin file path, not deleted entirely from your PC until emptied.

How to Find Recycle Bin in Windows 10/11? – 6 Easy Methods

The Recycle Bin in Windows 10 and Windows 11 is like a trash can for your computer. When you delete files, they don’t vanish instantly—they go to the Recycle Bin. From there, you can restore them or remove them forever. But sometimes, users can’t find the Recycle Bin icon or wonder where is the Recycle Bin on my computer?

If you’re asking questions like “Where’s my Recycle Bin?” or “How to find my Recycle Bin?”, this guide is just for you. Below are six simple ways to locate the Windows Recycle Bin, whether you’re using Windows 10 or Windows 11.

Method 1: Find Recycle Bin on Desktop

By default, the Recycle Bin icon is located on your desktop screen.

Steps:

1. Minimize all open apps by pressing Windows + D.

2. Look for the Recycle Bin icon labeled “Recycle Bin.”

3. Double-click the icon to open it and view deleted files.

Note: If you don’t see the trash bin on Windows 10 or 11, it might be hidden.

Method 2: Restore Missing Recycle Bin Icon

If the Recycle Bin icon is missing, you can bring it back with a few quick steps.

For Windows 10:

1. Right-click on the desktop and select Personalize.

2. Go to Themes > Desktop icon settings (right side).

3. Check the box next to Recycle Bin.

4. Click Apply and then OK.

For Windows 11:

1. Right-click on the desktop > Personalize.

2. Scroll down and click Themes.

3. Choose Desktop icon settings under Related Settings.

4. Tick the box next to Recycle Bin.

5. Click Apply.

 Now the Recycle Bin icon location in Windows 10/11 will appear on your desktop again.

Method 3: Use Windows Search

If you’re wondering where is my Recycle Bin on my computer, use the search bar:

Steps:

1. Click the Start menu or press the Windows key.

2. Type Recycle Bin in the search box.

3. Click on the result to open it directly.

 This method works even if the desktop icon is hidden. It’s quick and very effective for finding the Windows trash bin.

Method 4: Access Recycle Bin from File Explorer

Another way to find the Recycle Bin location in Windows 10 or 11 is through File Explorer.

Steps:

1. Open File Explorer (Windows + E).

2. In the left pane, click the small arrow next to This PC or scroll down.

3. Click on Recycle Bin from the list.

 If the Recycle Bin doesn’t show, type Recycle Bin in the address bar of File Explorer and press Enter.

 Method 5: Pin Recycle Bin to Start Menu or Taskbar

To make the Recycle Bin easier to find, you can pin it to your Start Menu or Taskbar.

Steps to pin to Start:

1. Right-click the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop.

2. Click Pin to Start.

Steps to pin to Taskbar:

You can’t directly pin the Recycle Bin to the taskbar, but here’s a trick:

1. Right-click the desktop and choose New > Shortcut.

2. In the location box, type:

   CopyEdit

   explorer.exe shell:RecycleBinFolder


3. Click Next, name it “Recycle Bin,” and hit Finish.

4. Right-click the shortcut > Pin to Taskbar.

 This way, your trash bin in Windows 10/11 is just one click away.

 Method 6: Use Run Command to Open Recycle Bin

If you’re still asking how to find my Recycle Bin, use the Run dialog box.

Steps:

1. Press Windows + R to open the Run window.

2. Type the following and hit Enter:

   makefile

   CopyEdit

   shell:RecycleBinFolder


3. The Recycle Bin will open in a new window.

📂 This method works fast and is especially helpful for advanced users.

Recycle Bin Icon Missing from Windows 10 Desktop? Try These 4 Easy Solutions

If the Recycle Bin icon is missing from your Windows 10 desktop, don’t panic. You’re not alone! Many users wonder, “Where is my Recycle Bin on my computer?” or “Why did the trash bin disappear?” The good news is that the Recycle Bin is still on your system—you just need to bring it back. Here are 4 simple and effective solutions to restore the Recycle Bin icon on Windows 10 desktop.

Solution 1: Restore Recycle Bin via Desktop Icon Settings

This is the most common and recommended method.

Steps:

1. Right-click anywhere on the desktop.

2. Select Personalize.

3. Go to the Themes section.

4. On the right side, click Desktop icon settings.

5. In the popup, check the box next to Recycle Bin.

6. Click Apply and then OK.

That’s it! The Recycle Bin icon will now be visible again on your desktop.

Solution 2: Use Windows Search to Open Recycle Bin

Even if the icon is gone, the Recycle Bin still exists on your system.

Steps:

1. Click the Start Menu or press the Windows key.

2. Type Recycle Bin in the search bar.

3. Click the result to open it.

💡 Tip: Right-click the icon in the search result and select Pin to Start or Pin to Taskbar for easy access in the future.

Solution 3: Check for Tablet Mode

Sometimes, Windows 10 switches to Tablet Mode, which hides desktop icons.

Steps:

1. Click on the Notification Center (bottom-right corner).

2. Look for Tablet Mode. If it’s turned on, click to turn it off.

3. Once disabled, your desktop icons including the Recycle Bin should reappear.

 Tablet Mode is designed for touchscreens and can hide icons to reduce clutter.

Solution 4: Create a Recycle Bin Shortcut Manually

If the above steps don’t work, create a shortcut manually.

Steps:

1. Right-click the desktop > New > Shortcut.

2. In the location field, type:

   CopyEdit

   explorer.exe shell:RecycleBinFolder


3. Click Next, name it “Recycle Bin,” and click Finish.

Now you have a working shortcut that acts exactly like the original Recycle Bin icon.

How to Recover Deleted or Lost Data Not in Recycle Bin – 2 Proven Methods

Accidentally deleted an important file and can’t find it in the Recycle Bin? You’re not alone. Many users face this situation and often ask:
“How do I recover deleted files not in Recycle Bin?”
The good news is — your files may not be gone forever.

In this guide, we’ll share 3 effective methods to recover deleted or lost data that’s not in the Recycle Bin on Windows 10 or Windows 11.

Why Files Don’t Show in Recycle Bin

Before jumping into solutions, here are some reasons why your deleted files may not appear in the Recycle Bin:

• The file was too large and bypassed the bin.

• It was deleted using Shift + Delete (permanent delete).

• The Recycle Bin was emptied.

• The file was removed from an external drive (USB, SD card).

• Recycle Bin settings were changed or corrupted.

Method 1: Use File History (Windows Backup Feature)

Windows has a built-in backup tool called File History. If it was enabled before deletion, you can restore your files easily.

Steps:

1. In the Search bar, type Restore your files with File History.

2. Click the result to open File History.

3. Browse through folders to locate your lost file.

4. Click the Restore button to bring it back to its original location.

📝 Note: This method only works if File History was turned on before the file was deleted.

Method 2: Restore Previous Versions

You can recover files or folders using the Previous Versions feature, which creates restore points.

Steps:

1. Right-click the folder where the deleted file was located.

2. Click Restore previous versions.

3. A list of available backups will appear.

4. Choose a version before the deletion date.

5. Click Restore to recover it.

💡 This works well for users who regularly create System Restore Points or have File History enabled.

How Can You Recover Deleted Files from Recycle Bin on Windows 10/11?

Accidentally deleted an important file? Don’t worry—if it’s still in the Recycle Bin, you can recover it in just a few clicks. The Recycle Bin in Windows 10 and Windows 11 is designed to give you a second chance before files are permanently erased from your system.

How to Recover Deleted Files from Recycle Bin – Step by Step

 Step 1: Open the Recycle Bin

• Double-click the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop.

• If you don’t see it, type “Recycle Bin” in the Start menu search bar and press Enter.

 Step 2: Find Your Deleted File

• Browse the list of deleted files and folders.

• Use the search box at the top-right to quickly find a specific file by name.

 Step 3: Restore the File

• Right-click the file or folder you want to recover.

• Click Restore from the context menu.

 Your file will be restored to its original location, exactly where it was before deletion.

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