Have you just switched to Windows 10 or 11 from the previous Windows operating system? If yes, then the experience must be new for you and that is why you might be missing many features that were available in the previous version of Windows. One of the most important things you might not see in the Windows 10/11 would be Recycle Bin.

Lots of people will think where is the recycle bin in Windows 10 or 11? If you are also one of them, worry not because here we are going to teach you how to find recycle bin Windows 10 or 11.

So, let's get started.

  1. Part 1: Where is the Recycle Bin in Windows 10/11?
  2. Part 2: How to Find Recycle Bin Windows 10/11 If It is Missing
  3. Part 3: How to Empty Recycle Bin in Windows 10/11?
  4. Bonus Tip: How to Recover Files Deleted From Recycle Bin?HOT

Part 1: Where is the Recycle Bin in Windows 10/11?

In both Windows 10 and 11, the Recycle Bin is a standard feature that allows users to temporarily store files and folders they have deleted from their computers. By default, the Recycle Bin is located in the upper-left corner of the desktop and is represented by an icon that resembles a trash can or recycling bin.

The Recycle Bin icon is usually visible on the desktop immediately after installation or setup, but if it's missing, you can try the below-written fixes to display it.

Part 2: How to Find Recycle Bin Windows 10/11 If It is Missing

If the Recycle Bin in Windows 10 or 11 is missing, there are 3 different methods to take it back. You can use any of them according to your situation and feasibility.

Method 1. Use File Explorer's Address Bar to Open the Recycle Bin

The first method to find the recycle bin in Windows 10 or 11 is using File Explorer.

Here are the steps you can follow.

  1. Click on the File Explorer icon on your taskbar to open File Explorer. Alternatively, you can press the Windows key + E on your keyboard.

    open-file-explorer

  2. Click on the address bar at the top of the File Explorer window. It's the field that shows the folder path.

    address-bar
  3. Type "Recycle Bin" into the address bar and press Enter on your keyboard.
  4. The Recycle Bin window will now open, displaying any deleted files or folders.

Method 2. Open the Recycle Bin From Run Command

If the first method doesn't work for you or your computer is stuck in the search stage, you can use this method to open Recycle Bin.

  1. Press the Windows key + R on your keyboard to open the Run command.

  2. In the Run dialog box, type "shell:RecycleBinFolder" (without the quotes) and click OK or press Enter on your keyboard.

    run-dialog-box
  3. The Recycle Bin window will now open, displaying any deleted files or folders.

Method 3. Open the Recycle Bin From Using PowerShell

If none of the above methods worked for you or you don't want to use those methods, this is the ultimate method that you can use.

Here are the steps you can follow.

  1. Right-click on the Start button in the lower-left corner of the desktop and select Windows PowerShell (Admin) from the menu that appears. If you don't see this option, you can search for "PowerShell" in the Start menu and right-click on it instead.

    select Windows PowerShell

  2. In the PowerShell window that opens, type "explorer.exe shell:RecycleBinFolder" (without the quotes) and press Enter on your keyboard.

    type
  3. The Recycle Bin window will now open, displaying any deleted files or folders.

Part 3: How to Empty Recycle Bin in Windows 10/11?

So now you have found the missing Recycle Bin on your Windows 10 or 11, it's time to empty the deleted files to free up space on your computer.

Here are the simple and easy-to-follow steps:

  1. Open the Recycle Bin using one of the above-given methods.

  2. Now if you are using Windows 11, you can look at the top of the screen and you will see the "Empty Recycle Bin" option.

    empty-recycle-bin
  3. You just need to click on it and a dialogue box will appear for your confirmation. By confirming, your Recycle Bin will delete everything.
  4. And if you are using Windows 10, all you have to do is press the Ctrl + A button and then press the Delete button on your keyboard.
  5. A dialogue box will appear for your confirmation and by confirming it, you will be able to delete everything inside the Recycle Bin.

Bonus Tip: How to Recover Files Deleted From Recycle Bin? HOT

By following the above steps, you will be able to delete everything stored in your Recycle Bin. But sometimes, we delete some important files by mistake from the Recycle Bin. In this case, you must be wondering if can you recover deleted files after emptying the recycle bin.

The answer to this question is yes, it is possible to recover files that have been deleted from the Recycle Bin. One tool that can help you do this is 4DDiG Windows Data Recovery Tool. Here are some of its main features:

  1. Supports various file types, including photos, videos, documents, emails, and more.
  2. Can recover data lost due to various scenarios, such as accidental deletion, formatting, partition loss, virus attacks, and the emptied recycle bin.
  3. Can recover data from various storage devices, such as internal and external hard drives, USB drives, SD cards, and more.

To recover files deleted from the Recycle Bin using 4DDiG Windows Data Recovery, you can follow these steps:

  1. Download and install 4DDiG Windows Data Recovery on your computer. Launch the program and select the location where you lost your data.

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    select the location where you lost your data

  2. Click on the "Scan" button to start the scanning process. The software will then scan the selected drive for deleted files. Once the scan is completed, you can choose the files that you want to recover and hit the Recover button.

    start scanning for lost data

  3. Once the recovery process is completed, you can save your files in your computer.

    save your files

That's it! With 4DDiG Windows Data Recovery, you can easily recover files deleted from the Recycle Bin and other scenarios.

FAQs

1. Where is the recycle bin folder located?

The Recycle Bin folder is typically located on the desktop in Windows operating systems. It is a system folder that contains files and folders that have been deleted from your computer. When you delete a file or folder, it is moved to the Recycle Bin instead of being permanently deleted from your computer. This allows you to recover deleted files if you accidentally delete them or change your mind later.

2. Where is the recycle bin folder in C drive?

The Recycle Bin folder is located in the root directory of the C drive. The root directory is the top-level directory in the file system hierarchy, which contains all of the files and folders on your computer. The Recycle Bin folder is a hidden system folder that is named "$Recycle.Bin".

3. Where to find the restored file from recycle bin?

When you restore a file from the Recycle Bin, it will be moved back to its original location on your computer's hard drive. If you are unsure where the file was located, you can search for it using the Windows search function.

Conclusion

So now you know where is the recycle bin in Windows 10 or 11. All the methods we have given above are legit and 100% working. You can use any of them to find the Recycle Bin whether you are using Windows 10 or 11.

However, if you have accidentally deleted any important file from your Recycle Bin, you can use the 4DDiG Windows Data Recovery Tool and recover it in a few minutes.

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