How to Get Rid of the Recycle Bin Icon in Windows

Removing the Recycle Bin icon from the desktop is a display change, not a way to empty or remove the Recycle Bin itself. Deleted files can still go there, and you can restore the icon later through the same settings. The instructions below apply to Windows 10 and Windows 11; menu names and routes may differ slightly by version.

What You’ll Need

A Windows PC and access to its desktop settings. You generally do not need an administrator account to change this setting for your own Windows profile.
A few moments to reopen the setting if you later want the icon back.

Step-by-Step

Open Settings. Select Start, then choose Settings (the gear icon). You can also press Windows key + I. This opens Windows Settings; the exact layout can vary slightly between versions.
Find the desktop icon options. In Windows 11, go to Personalization > Themes, then select Desktop icon settings. In Windows 10, go to Personalization > Themes and look for Desktop icon settings, often under Related Settings. If the route is different, use the Settings search box and search for “desktop icon settings.”
Clear the Recycle Bin checkbox. In the Desktop Icon Settings window, find Recycle Bin in the Desktop Icons list. Click its checkbox to remove the check mark. This controls whether the icon appears on the desktop; it does not change what happens when you delete a file.
Apply the change. Select Apply, then OK. If the icon remains visible, wait briefly or refresh the desktop by right-clicking an empty area and choosing Refresh. Refresh may not appear in every Windows version, and it is not usually necessary.
Check the result. Close Settings and look at the desktop. The Recycle Bin icon should be gone. Other desktop icons, including This PC and Network, are controlled separately in the same window.
Restore it when needed. Return to Desktop Icon Settings and check Recycle Bin again, then select Apply and OK. The icon should return without changing the contents of the bin.

If you use more than one Windows user account, this preference may be different for each account. Sign in to the account where you want the icon hidden and change its desktop icon setting there.

Common Mistakes

Choosing Delete on the icon: The desktop icon is a special Windows icon, so the ordinary Delete option may not be available. Use Desktop Icon Settings rather than trying to remove it like a shortcut.
Confusing hiding with emptying: Clearing the checkbox does not delete files in the Recycle Bin. To remove its contents, open the bin and use Empty Recycle Bin only if you are sure you no longer need those files. Emptying it can make recovery difficult or impossible.
Deleting the wrong item: A shortcut named “Recycle Bin” is not necessarily the built-in desktop icon. If you have a custom shortcut, inspect it before deleting it; the checkbox in Desktop Icon Settings controls Windows’ built-in icon.
Changing the wrong account: Desktop preferences may be account-specific. Changing the setting while signed in to another account may not affect the desktop you use.
Expecting every desktop icon to disappear: The Recycle Bin checkbox affects only that icon. To hide other built-in icons, change their individual checkboxes in the same dialog.

Tips

Keep access convenient: Hiding the desktop icon does not prevent you from opening the Recycle Bin another way. Search for “Recycle Bin” from Start or File Explorer, or use the address bar in File Explorer where supported.
Use the search box for changing menus: Windows updates and edition differences can move links. Searching Settings for “desktop icon settings” is often faster than navigating through menus.
Consider a tidy desktop without deleting shortcuts: If your goal is a cleaner desktop, you can hide the Recycle Bin while leaving other shortcuts in place. You can also move personal shortcuts into folders, but that is separate from the built-in icon setting.
Remember the bin still works: Hiding the icon does not stop deleted files from being sent to the Recycle Bin. Its capacity and file-deletion behavior are separate settings.

Troubleshooting

The icon is still there. Reopen Desktop Icon Settings and confirm that the Recycle Bin checkbox is clear. Select Apply and OK. If it still appears, sign out and back in or restart Windows to refresh the desktop; first make sure you are checking the same user account where you changed the setting.

You cannot find Desktop Icon Settings. Open Settings and search for the exact phrase “desktop icon settings.” You can also right-click an empty part of the desktop, choose Personalize, and look under Themes. The context menu and menu path may differ slightly by Windows version.

The checkbox is unavailable or changes do not stick. A work or school device may be managed by an administrator, or a desktop policy may restrict personalization. Contact the device administrator rather than trying to bypass the restriction. On a personal computer, close Settings, reopen it, and try again while signed in to your usual account.

You hid it but need to restore a file. Turn the icon back on using Desktop Icon Settings, then open the Recycle Bin. If the file is still there, right-click it and choose Restore. If the bin was emptied, the file may not be recoverable through the Recycle Bin; check any backups or recovery options available on your device.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does hiding the Recycle Bin delete it?

No. It only hides the desktop icon. Windows continues to use the Recycle Bin for deleted files as usual.

Can I remove the icon without opening Settings?

The reliable built-in method is Desktop Icon Settings. You can reach it through the Settings search box, which is often quicker than browsing menus.

How do I get the Recycle Bin back?

Open Desktop Icon Settings, check Recycle Bin, and select Apply and OK. The icon returns, and any files still in the bin remain there.

Can I still empty the Recycle Bin after hiding it?

Yes. Search for Recycle Bin from Start or open it through File Explorer where available. Review its contents before emptying it because deleting those files from the bin can make them difficult or impossible to restore.

Does this work on Mac?

No. The Recycle Bin is Windows’ name for its deleted-items location. macOS uses the Trash and has different desktop behavior and settings.

Further reading: Microsoft Support. Details can change, so check the official page for anything that matters to you. Spotted a mistake? Tell us. How we write an answer.