Windows 10 or 11 Recycle Bin missing? Here's how to restore it

Windows 10 or 11 Recycle Bin missing? Learn how to restore the Recycle Bin on your desktop in Windows 10 and 11.

Restore Recycle Bin on Windows 10

1. Click on the Windows start menu button.

Windows 10 start menu button

2. Click on Settings.

Open Windows 10 Settings

You can also right-click on the Windows start menu button and then click on Settings.

You can also press the Windows Windows key + I keys on your keyboard to open settings in Windows 10.

3. Click on Personalization.

Open Personalization settings in Windows 10

You can also open the Personalization settings by right-clicking on the desktop and then click on Personalize.

Open Personalization settings in Windows 10 via desktop

4. In the left menu, you click on Themes.

Open Themes settings in Windows 10

5. On the right side, under Related Settings, you click on Desktop icon settings.

Open Desktop Icon Settings in Windows 10

A “Desktop Icon Settings” window will appear.

6. Check the checkbox next to Recycle Bin.

Restore the Recycle Bin on the desktop in Windows 10

7. Click on the Apply button at the bottom of the “Desktop Icon Settings” window.

8. Click on the OK button.

9. You can now close the Settings window.

If the Recycle Bin icon is still missing from your desktop, then right-click on your desktop > View > and make sure the Show desktop icons option is checked.

Restore Recycle Bin on Windows 11

1. Right-click on the Start menu button and then click on Settings. You can also press the Windows Windows key + I keys on your keyboard to open settings.

Open Windows 11 settings

2. Click on Personalization. Note: You may need to click on the ≡ menu button in the top left corner to open a menu and see the Personalization option.

Windows 11 settings menu button

3. Click on Themes.

Open Personalization and Themes settings in Windows 11

You can also open the Personalization settings by right-clicking on the desktop and then click on Personalize.

Open Personalization settings in Windows 11 via desktop

4. Click on Desktop icon settings located at the bottom of the “Personalization” page.

Open Desktop Icon Settings in Windows 11

A “Desktop Icon Settings” window will appear.

5. Check the checkbox next to Recycle Bin.

Restore the Recycle Bin on the desktop in Windows 11

6. Click on the Apply button at the bottom of the “Desktop Icon Settings” window.

7. Click on the OK button.

8. You can now close the Settings window.

If the Recycle Bin icon is still missing from your desktop, then right-click on your desktop > View > and make sure the Show desktop icons option is checked.