How to show or hide the Recycle Bin on Windows 11

The Recycle Bin icon can disappear from your desktop if a Windows update resets it or if the checkbox gets unchecked by accident. It's a system icon, not a regular shortcut, so you can't just recreate it by right-clicking. The fix is a checkbox in Desktop icon settings. Check it to show the icon, uncheck it to hide.

Bring back or hide the Recycle Bin icon

1. Right-click an empty space on the desktop.
2. Click Personalize.
3. Click Themes.
4. Scroll down to the Related settings section and click Desktop icon settings.
5. In the window that appears, find the Recycle Bin checkbox:
   • To bring back the icon: Check the box so a checkmark appears.
   • To hide the icon: Uncheck the box to remove the checkmark.
6. Click Apply.
7. Click OK.

Recycle Bin still missing? Enable 'Show desktop icons'

If you checked the box in the steps above and the Recycle Bin still isn't showing up, you've likely turned off the 'Show desktop icons' option. When that's off, Windows hides all files, folders, and icons.

The fix:

1. Right-click an empty space on the desktop.
2. Hover over View in the menu.
3. Check that Show desktop icons has a checkmark next to it. If not, click it.

Your Recycle Bin and all other icons reappear immediately.

Access the Recycle Bin without a desktop icon

If you want a clean desktop with no icons, you can pin the Recycle Bin to Quick access or the Start menu. That way you can reach it from File Explorer or the Start menu without a desktop icon

1. Use the steps above to temporarily show the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop.
2. Right-click Recycle Bin on the desktop.
3. Click Pin to Quick access or Pin to Start.

After pinning, go back to Desktop icon settings and uncheck Recycle Bin. Your desktop stays clean, but the Recycle Bin is one click away in File Explorer or the Start menu.

Related:

How to fix missing or blank desktop icons in Windows 10 & 11

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