Add Recycle Bin to File Explorer on Windows 11 in 2 Ways

Add Recycle Bin to File Explorer on Windows 11 in 2 Ways

Add Recycle Bin to File Explorer Folder on Windows 11

The Recycle Bin on Windows 11 is like a security guard, always there to let you recover your deleted files (if you haven’t deleted them permanently) whenever needed. It keeps you safe from being exploited by developers of expensive file recovery software. However, we must admit that sometimes it becomes like a needle in a haystack, completely disappearing from sight as if it was never there in the first place, especially if you disable showing desktop icons for a clean and clutter-free look. So, in this guide, we will show you how to add the Recycle Bin to File Explorer in more than one way on Windows 11.

Add Recycle Bin to File Explorer

Wouldn’t it be great if you could easily recover your deleted files for free, especially when your files or data are very sensitive and important? Fortunately, the Recycle Bin on Windows 11 keeps all the data you have deleted, intentionally or unintentionally. It acts as a backup of the data you tried to get rid of. However, the Recycle Bin has some limitations, such as the maximum storage space, or its inability to keep data that has been permanently deleted via the “Shift + Delete” shortcut. But it is still a good source to start with when we get stuck on finding some files.

Personally, I wonder about people who delete their files permanently the first time. If you are one of them, you are unfortunately wasting your chance to recover your important files in case you need to find them again. I completely understand the space constraints, especially if you don’t have a lot of them. Some games, you can delete them permanently without any problem as long as they are always there and you can download them at any time. But I personally consider any other type of content to be important and necessary. So, even if you don’t prefer to keep the Recycle Bin visible all the time on your desktop, let me show you how to add the Recycle Bin to File Explorer for easy access.

■ Add the Recycle Bin to the Quick Access Menu

The easiest way to find the Recycle Bin on Windows

Let me tell you something very cool. If you don’t want the Recycle Bin to clutter up your desktop and want it to be completely clean, no problem. In fact, you can add the Recycle Bin in several different places on Windows 11 other than the desktop, and the first place is the navigation pane.

The navigation menu is the list of folders on the left side once you open File Explorer, where you can access your Downloads, Music, Pictures, Videos, and the path to your most recently used folders on your operating system. It's a central hub and a quick shortcut to access File Explorer folders if you don't want to go through a lot of navigation.

All you have to do is right-click on any empty space in the navigation menu area , and then choose “ Show all folders ”. The navigation menu will expand with more folders than you’re used to, but in addition, it will show you the Recycle Bin. Right-click on the Recycle Bin icon, and choose “ Pin to quick access ”. Now, the Recycle Bin will be a main part of the quick navigation menu whenever you try to open File Explorer. You can now hide “ Show all folders ” again to hide unnecessary folders.

■ Add Recycle Bin to This PC folder

Install Recycle Bin Icon in Windows 11 File Explorer

As we told you a while ago, you can add the Recycle Bin to the File Explorer in more than one way, and in several different places, so that you can easily access it whenever needed, without spoiling the appearance of your desktop. This time, we will add it to the “This PC” folder. However, this method is not very easy because it requires creating a new value in the “Registry Editor”. If you are not familiar with it, skip this method. In any case, you can follow the same steps that we will explain below to perform the process and avoid any potential risks.

• First: Click on the shortcut " Win + R " to open the Run menu .
• Second: In the mini window that appears in front of you in the lower left corner, search for “ Regedit ” without the brackets.
• Third: Click on the " Ok " button.
• Fourth: You must rely on the folders in the upper left to reach the next path.
• Fifth: Expand the “ HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE ” folder, then expand the “ SOFTWARE ” folder.
• Sixth: Then expand the “ Microsoft ” folder, then expand the “ Windows ” folder, then the “ Current Version ” folder.
• Seventh: Then expand the “ Explorer ” folder, then the “ MyComputer ” folder, then select the “ NameSpace ” folder.
• Eighth: Right-click on the “ NameSpace ” folder and choose “ New ” then “ Key ”.
• Ninth: Name the new folder with the same name as the following: {645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}

How to Find Recycle Bin in Windows 11

• Finally: Close the registry editor, then reopen File Explorer, open This PC and you will find the Recycle Bin in front of you.

In conclusion, this was how to add the Recycle Bin to the File Explorer easily on Windows 11. Just try to follow the same steps that we explained in detail in this guide and you will not face any difficulty in adding it as we did in front of you a little while ago. It is a good way to keep your desktop as clean as possible, especially if you are recording presentations or streaming educational videos, and at the same time, the Recycle Bin has become very close to you and is just a click away whenever you try to find any data you have deleted by mistake.