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In a standard Windows 11 installation, the Recycle Bin is on the desktop. Deleted files remain there temporarily, so you can restore them or remove them permanently.
If you cannot see it, the icon may be hidden along with every other desktop icon, or Recycle Bin may be disabled in the desktop-icon settings. These are separate settings and require different fixes.
Open Recycle Bin from the Windows 11 desktop
- Go to the desktop. You can minimize open windows or press Windows+D.
- Double-click Recycle Bin.
You can also right-click the icon to choose actions such as Open or Empty Recycle Bin. Emptying it permanently deletes the items currently stored there.
If every desktop icon is missing
Windows can hide all desktop icons without changing the Recycle Bin setting itself. To turn them back on:
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- Right-click an empty area of the desktop.
- Select View.
- Make sure Show desktop icons is checked.
If this option is already checked but Recycle Bin alone is absent, use the desktop-icon settings below.
If Recycle Bin alone is missing
Windows 11 has a dedicated setting for common desktop icons:
- Press Windows+I to open Settings.
- Select Personalization.
- Select Themes.
- Under Related settings, select Desktop icon settings.
- Check Recycle Bin.
- Select Apply, then OK.
You can reach the same screen by right-clicking the desktop, selecting Personalize, choosing Themes, and selecting Desktop icon settings under Related settings.
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Check whether a theme changed the icon
The Desktop Icon Settings window includes Allow themes to change desktop icons. This applies to common system icons, including Recycle Bin, and is enabled by default. If a theme has replaced the normal icon, clear this option if you want to prevent themes from changing it. This setting changes the appearance; the Recycle Bin checkbox controls whether the icon is enabled on the desktop.
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Do not expect to find Recycle Bin as a normal folder under This PC. In Windows 11 version 22H2 and later, Microsoft lists the standard known folders—Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Pictures, Music, and Videos—in File Explorer’s Home area and left navigation pane. Recycle Bin is not included in that list.
To open File Explorer, select its taskbar or Start-menu icon, or press Windows+E. However, the current Microsoft-documented way to locate Recycle Bin is through the desktop rather than a This PC path. Also note that Windows 11 version 22H2 renamed Quick access to Home.
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Restore a deleted file
Finding the bin is only useful if the deleted item is still there. To restore an item:
- Open Recycle Bin.
- Locate the file or folder.
- Right-click it.
- Select Restore.
Windows returns the item to its original folder. If you do not see it, check whether Recycle Bin was emptied or whether the file was deleted using a method that bypassed the bin.
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When a deleted OneDrive file is not in the Windows Recycle Bin
Online-only OneDrive files are an important exception. When one is deleted, it does not appear in the computer’s Windows Recycle Bin. Use the applicable OneDrive recycle bin instead.
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For work or school OneDrive accounts, items in the OneDrive recycle bin are automatically deleted after 93 days, unless an administrator has changed the retention setting. Do not wait if the file is important.
Windows 11 versus Windows 10
Microsoft’s Recycle Bin instructions cover both Windows 11 and Windows 10. Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025; Microsoft no longer provides free Windows Update software updates, technical assistance, or security fixes for that operating system after that date.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.FAQ
Where is Recycle Bin in Windows 11?
It is normally on the desktop. Double-click the Recycle Bin icon to open it.
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Why is Recycle Bin not showing on my desktop?
If all desktop icons are missing, right-click the desktop, select View, and enable Show desktop icons. If other icons are visible, open Settings > Personalization > Themes > Desktop icon settings and check Recycle Bin.
Is Recycle Bin under This PC in Windows 11?
No. Recycle Bin is not one of the standard folders Microsoft lists under This PC or File Explorer Home. Use the desktop icon or enable it through Desktop icon settings.
How do I restore a deleted file in Windows 11?
Open Recycle Bin, right-click the file or folder, and select Restore. Windows puts it back in its original location.
Why is a deleted OneDrive file not in my computer’s Recycle Bin?
Online-only OneDrive files use the applicable OneDrive recycle bin rather than the local Windows Recycle Bin. For work or school accounts, items are normally deleted from that bin after 93 days unless an administrator changes the setting.
The Bottom Line
Bottom line: Start on the Windows 11 desktop. If Recycle Bin is missing, first enable View > Show desktop icons if all icons are hidden. If only Recycle Bin is missing, go to Settings > Personalization > Themes > Desktop icon settings, select Recycle Bin, and choose Apply and OK. Do not rely on outdated instructions that place it under This PC.
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