Hello readers, are you using Windows 11 and getting annoyed with the recycle bin icon on your desktop? Well, don’t worry! In this article, we will guide you through the steps on how to remove the recycle bin from your desktop in Windows 11. Removing the recycle bin may make your desktop cleaner and more organized, which can improve your overall productivity.
Steps to Remove Recycle Bin from Desktop in Windows 11
Step 1:
The first step to remove the recycle bin from your desktop in Windows 11 is to right-click on the recycle bin icon on your desktop.
Step 1a:
Alternatively, you can click on the recycle bin icon to select it and then click on the “Remove” button in the Home tab of the Ribbon menu.
Step 2:
Once you’ve selected the recycle bin icon on your desktop, click on the “Personalize” option in the context menu.
Step 2a:
You can also access the personalize option by opening the Settings menu, clicking on the “Personalization” option, and then clicking on “Themes.”
Step 3:
In the Personalization menu, click on “Themes” and then click on “Desktop icon settings” in the right-hand corner of the window.
Step 3a:
You can also access the “Desktop icon settings” by right-clicking on the desktop, selecting “Display settings,” and then selecting the “Personalize” option from the left-hand menu.
Step 4:
In the Desktop icon settings window, uncheck the checkbox next to “Recycle Bin” and then click on “Apply” to save the changes.
Step 4a:
You can also change the icon by clicking on “Change Icon” and then selecting a different icon from the list of options.
Step 5:
After clicking “Apply,” the recycle bin icon should no longer appear on your desktop. You can also remove any other icons you don’t want to see by unchecking the appropriate boxes in the Desktop icon settings.
Step 5a:
If you want to add the recycle bin icon back to your desktop, simply go back to the Desktop icon settings window and check the “Recycle Bin” checkbox.
Explanation
Removing the recycle bin icon from your desktop can help you focus on your work and reduce visual distractions. It can also help you keep your desktop organized and clutter-free. Following the above steps, you can easily remove the recycle bin from your desktop.
Tips and Tricks
Tip 1:
If you’re new to Windows 11, take some time to explore the various customization options available in the Personalization menu. You may find other features that can help you improve your productivity and overall user experience.
Tip 2:
You can customize your desktop by changing the wallpaper, font size, and other display settings to suit your preferences. Personalizing your desktop can make it feel more like your own workspace.
Tip 3:
If you frequently use the recycle bin, you may want to keep the icon on your desktop for easy access. In that case, you can also move it to a different location on your desktop to reduce clutter.
Tip 4:
If you want to customize your desktop further, you can also create shortcuts to frequently used apps, files, and folders. This can help you access them more quickly and save time.
Tip 5:
You can also use the Snap Assist feature in Windows 11 to arrange multiple windows side-by-side for more efficient multitasking. This feature can be accessed by dragging windows to the corners of your screen.
Tip 6:
If you enjoy customizing Windows 11, you can also try using third-party themes and icon packs to give your desktop a unique look and feel.
Tip 7:
It’s important to keep your desktop organized and clean to avoid distractions and improve your productivity. Take some time each week to declutter your desktop and delete any files and shortcuts you no longer need.
Tip 8:
You can customize the context menu that appears when you right-click on an icon or file by using third-party software. This can help you access frequently used options more quickly.
Tip 9:
You can also use keyboard shortcuts to perform common tasks in Windows 11. For example, pressing the Windows key + D will minimize all open windows and bring you back to the desktop.
Tip 10:
If you’re having trouble with Windows 11, you can use the built-in troubleshooters to diagnose and fix common issues. These troubleshooters can be accessed through the Settings menu.
In conclusion, removing the recycle bin icon from your desktop in Windows 11 can help you create a clean and clutter-free workspace. By following the above steps and using the tips and tricks outlined in this article, you can customize your desktop to suit your preferences and improve your overall productivity.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Removing Recycle Bin from Desktop in Windows 11
If you have been using Windows 11, you may have noticed that the Recycle Bin is one of the icons that are placed on the desktop by default. Most people keep the Recycle Bin on their desktop, as it makes it easier for them to quickly delete files that they no longer need and restore them if necessary. However, some users prefer to remove the Recycle Bin icon from their desktop due to various reasons. In this article, we will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of removing the Recycle Bin from the desktop in Windows 11.
Advantages
- Cleaner desktop: By removing the Recycle Bin from the desktop, you will have a cleaner and less cluttered desktop. This will help you to focus on your work and increase your productivity.
- Prevent accidental deletion: Sometimes, when you are in a hurry, you may accidentally delete a file or folder by clicking on the wrong icon. By removing the Recycle Bin icon, you can prevent this from happening.
- Privacy: If you are concerned about your privacy and do not want others to see the files that you have deleted, removing the Recycle Bin icon from the desktop can help.
- Saving space: If you have a small screen size or a limited workspace, removing the Recycle Bin icon from the desktop can save you some space.
- Customization: By removing the Recycle Bin icon from the desktop, you can customize your desktop and choose the icons that you want to display.
Disadvantages
- Inconvenience: Removing the Recycle Bin icon from the desktop can make it inconvenient for you to access the files that you have deleted.
- Difficulty: It can be difficult for some users to remove the Recycle Bin icon from the desktop, especially if they are not familiar with the Windows 11 operating system.
- Forgetfulness: If you remove the Recycle Bin icon from the desktop, you may forget to empty the Recycle Bin regularly, which can lead to the accumulation of unnecessary files on your computer.
- Recovery: If you accidentally delete a file and want to recover it, you will need to open the File Explorer and navigate to the Recycle Bin folder, which can be time-consuming.
- Confusion: If you are used to having the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop, removing it can cause confusion and make it difficult for you to find the files that you have deleted.
Overall, removing the Recycle Bin icon from the desktop in Windows 11 has its advantages and disadvantages, and it ultimately depends on the user’s preference and needs. If you decide to remove the Recycle Bin icon from your desktop, make sure you regularly empty the Recycle Bin to avoid the accumulation of unnecessary files on your computer.
FAQ
1. Why would I want to remove the recycle bin from my desktop in Windows 11?
Some users prefer a clean desktop without icons cluttering it up, whereas others might want to access the recycle bin through File Explorer instead.
2. How do I remove the recycle bin icon from my desktop?
Right-click on the desktop and select “Personalize”. Click on “Themes” in the left-hand sidebar, then “Desktop icon settings” below the “Related settings” heading. Uncheck the box next to “Recycle Bin” and click “Apply” to remove the icon from your desktop.
3. Can I still access my recycle bin after removing the desktop icon?
Yes, you can still access the recycle bin through File Explorer or by searching for “Recycle Bin” in the Start menu search bar.
4. Is it possible to remove other icons from my desktop in Windows 11?
Yes, you can remove other icons such as “This PC” or “Network” by following the same steps as removing the recycle bin icon.
5. How do I retrieve deleted files if the recycle bin is no longer on my desktop?
You can still retrieve deleted files by opening File Explorer and navigating to the recycle bin, which is located in the left-hand sidebar. Alternatively, you can search for “Recycle Bin” in the Start menu search bar.
6. Can I change the icon for the recycle bin?
Yes, you can change the icon for the recycle bin by right-clicking on the desktop and selecting “Personalize”, then “Themes”, and finally “Desktop icon settings”. Click on the “Change Icon” button and select a new icon for the recycle bin.
7. Will removing the recycle bin icon from my desktop affect system performance?
No, removing the recycle bin icon will not have any impact on system performance.
8. What happens when I delete something without the recycle bin?
When you delete something without the recycle bin, the file is permanently deleted and cannot be recovered. It is important to always double-check before deleting any files.
9. How do I restore the recycle bin to my desktop if I change my mind?
To restore the recycle bin to your desktop, follow the same steps as removing the icon and check the box next to “Recycle Bin” instead of unchecking it.
10. Can I remove the recycle bin icon from just one user account?
Yes, you can remove the recycle bin icon from specific user accounts by logging in to that account and following the same steps as removing the icon for all users.
11. Is there a keyboard shortcut to access the recycle bin?
Yes, you can press the “Windows” key + “R” to open the Run dialog box, then type “shell:recyclebinfolder” and press “Enter” to open the recycle bin.
12. How do I empty my recycle bin without the desktop icon?
You can still empty your recycle bin by opening File Explorer and right-clicking on the recycle bin in the left-hand sidebar, then selecting “Empty Recycle Bin”.
13. Will removing the recycle bin icon delete any files in the recycle bin?
No, removing the recycle bin icon will not delete any files in the recycle bin. Files will remain in the recycle bin until they are permanently deleted or the recycle bin is manually emptied.
How to Remove Recycle Bin from Desktop Windows 11
Recycle Bin is an essential component of the Windows operating system, which stores all the deleted files temporarily. It is visible on the desktop by default, but some users may find it unnecessary and want to remove it. If you’re one of them and looking for a way to remove Recycle Bin from your Windows 11 desktop, keep reading this article.
Method 1: Using the Desktop Icon Settings
The first method to remove Recycle Bin from the desktop is the most straightforward one. Here are the steps to follow:
- Right-click on the desktop and select “Personalize” from the context menu.
- Click on the “Themes” option from the left-hand sidebar.
- Click on “Desktop Icon Settings” from the right-hand side of the window.
- Uncheck the box next to the Recycle Bin icon and click “Apply”.
- Click “OK” to save the changes.
That’s all; the Recycle Bin icon should no longer be visible on your desktop.
Method 2: Using the Registry Editor
If the above method doesn’t work for you, another way to remove the Recycle Bin icon from the desktop is by using the Registry Editor. Here are the steps to follow:
- Press the “Windows + R” keys simultaneously to open the Run dialog box.
- Type “regedit” in the text box and press “Enter” to open the Registry Editor.
- Navigate to the following location in the Registry Editor: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Desktop\NameSpace
- Locate the key “{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}” under NameSpace and delete it.
- Exit the Registry Editor and restart your PC to see the changes.
That’s it; the Recycle Bin icon should no longer be visible on your desktop.
Conclusion and Closing
In conclusion, removing the Recycle Bin icon from the Windows 11 desktop can be done using either the Desktop Icon Settings or the Registry Editor. Both methods are relatively simple, and you just need to follow the steps mentioned in this article carefully. However, it’s worth noting that removing the Recycle Bin icon won’t delete the files present in it, and you can still access them via the File Explorer. We hope this article has helped you in removing the Recycle Bin icon from your desktop. Thank you for reading, and see you soon!