It may seem incredible, but one of the most used elements of the Windows operating system is also one of the most confusing: find the recycling bin is not always an easy missionWhen it disappears from your desktop, for whatever reason, you need to know how to find it or restore it.
In this article we compile all possible ways to access the recycle bin, whether from the desktop, with Quick Commands, from File Explorer, or using PowerShell. You'll also learn how to recover it if it has disappeared, how to empty it correctly or even how to access hidden versions that can be found on external hard drives.
What exactly is the Recycle Bin in Windows?
La Recycle Bin It's a special location in the Windows operating system where files and folders that the user chooses to delete are temporarily stored. Instead of deleting them directly, the system moves them to the Recycle Bin so they can be recovered later if desired.
This folder acts as security measures against accidental data loss. You can restore items you've sent to it or, if you prefer, permanently delete them by emptying it.
Most common location: the desk
By default, the recycle bin icon is usually visible on the Windows desktop, usually in the upper left corner. Just double-click it to open it and see the deleted items you can restore or permanently delete.
However, there are times when this icon may not be visible. This could be because the system has hidden it after an update, because you're in tablet mode, or because of changes to your desktop settings.
What to do if the trash can icon doesn't appear?
If you don't see the trash can on your desktop, the first thing you should check is whether it's simply hidden. To do this:
- Right click on the desktop and select 'See'.
- Make sure the option 'Show desktop icons' is checked.
If it still doesn't appear, it may be disabled in Windows settings. To restore it:
- Click Start and go to Configuration > Personalization..
- Choose Themes and then Desktop Icon Settings.
- Check the corresponding box 'Recycle Bin' and click Apply.
You can also put the trash can on the taskbar for easy access if you prefer not to rely on the desktop.
Other ways to access the trash
In addition to the desktop, there are several alternatives to open the trash in Windows 10 or 11:
From file explorer
- Balance Win + E to open the file explorer.
- Write Recycle Bin in the address bar or search engine.
- Press Enter to open it directly.
With the Run command
- Balance Win + R to open the Run box.
- Write explorer.exe shell: RecycleBinFolder and click OK.
Using PowerShell or CMD
Another alternative is through the command prompt or PowerShell, typing the same command above:
- shell: RecycleBinFolder
Access from system settings
In case none of the above options work for you, you can follow this method from settings:
- Start > Settings > Personalization > Themes.
- Click on Desktop Icon Settings.
- Check the box Recycle Bin.
Access the recycle bin on an external hard drive
External drives such as USBs or hard drives also have their own trash, but they are usually hidden by default under a name like $ RECYCLE.BIN o RECYCLER. To view them:
- Open File Explorer and navigate to the external drive.
- In the top menu, go to View > Options.
- In the 'See', active 'Show hidden files and folders' and deactivate 'Hide protected system files'.
- You will now be able to see the folder corresponding to the trash on that drive.
Finding the Recycle Bin on Other Systems
Now that we know how to use Windows, let's see what we have to do to find the recycle bin on Android, iOS, Linux and Mac.
On macOS
The trash can is located in the Dock. You can access it directly by clicking on its icon.
On Linux
In the main Linux distributions, to find the trash you have to go to the desk or to the file explorer under the name Trash (Trash).
On Android
There is no universal trash can, but major applications have their own deleted items folder:
- Google Photos Trash, where deleted files are stored during 60 days.
- Google Files Trash, which offers a maximum period of 30 days for deleted files.
- Trash cans on mobile phones with layers of customization from some brands, such as Samsung, Xiaomi and Huawei.
On iOS
Unlike other operating systems, iOS doesn't have a centralized trash can. However, there are some native apps with their own system for recovering deleted files:
- Photo Trash: Deleted videos and images are stored in the “Deleted” album for 30 days.
- File Trash.
- Notes and Mail TrashIn Notes, deleted documents are saved in the "Recently Deleted" section, while in the Mail app, they are located in the "Deleted Items" section for each account.