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My desktop Recycle Bin has disappeared - why, and how do I get it back?

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Summary: While there are many reasons as to why your Recycle Bin can disappear, there is a fairly easy way to get it back.

Windows Vista Users: please see this article:
I accidentally deleted my Recycle Bin in Vista - how do I get it back?

My desktop Recycle Bin has disappeared - why, and how do I get it back?

Why is a good question. The recycle bin can certainly be hidden, but exactly how or why it disappeared is hard to say.

Getting it back is fairly easy. The quickest is probably to download and install Tweak UI, one of the "Power Toys" available from Microsoft. Run that, and the Desktop section allows you to select which icons to show on the desktop by default. You should be able to turn the recycle bin back on there.

More articles about: Windows User Interface

Article Useful? Link to it from your own website; just copy/paste this HTML:

Article 376 | Posted July 11, 2004

Recent Comments

Vista is a disgrace of microsoft world. If Vista is not capable of handling icons properly, they should switch back to DOS. At least it worked.

Posted by: mrkus at May 23, 2008 08:30 AM

i just deleted it by accident =( i cant find where the hell it says "change desk top items" help!!

Posted by: maddie at May 24, 2008 09:12 PM

thanks kelly i thought my recicle bin was gone forever but thanks again life savers xxxx

Posted by: jim at June 2, 2008 03:07 AM

Thanks Kelly, that worked a treat!

Posted by: Jiffy at June 4, 2008 03:49 AM

Kelly, thank you so much for thid advice. I got my recycle bin back.

Posted by: Anora at June 8, 2008 06:32 PM

it was fast and easy thanks a lot

Posted by: eugene at June 9, 2008 10:38 PM

right click on desktop background and click on personalization then top left it says change desktop icon at the top check recycle bin and click apply/ok~~ for vista~~

Posted by: bob at June 16, 2008 02:54 PM

im useing xp, i tried to show hidden folders, and i still dont see my recycle bin back on my desk top, what do i do?

Posted by: Michael McFade at June 20, 2008 10:28 PM

Ok Vista users, if you click the link at the top of this page, not only do you get instructions but step-by-step screen shots as well! Can not get any better than that!

Posted by: Sharre at June 30, 2008 10:27 AM

That is not the quickest way. You dont need to download anything to get the recycle bin back in Windows Vista. All you do is go to ...
CONTROL PANEL > APPEARANCE AND PERSONALIZATION > PERSONALIZATION > on the left side click CHANGE DESKTOP ICONS... tick recycle bin and click OK.

Posted by: Jay at July 3, 2008 01:26 PM

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