The recycle bin is a useful feature on Windows 10 that allows you to recover deleted files in case you accidentally delete something important. However, if you have a lot of files in your recycle bin, it can take up a significant amount of space on your computer. In this article, we will discuss how to empty the recycle bin on Windows 10 and how to change the recycle bin icon.
Why Empty the Recycle Bin?
Before we dive into how to empty the recycle bin, let’s first understand why it’s important to do so. When you delete a file on your computer, it is not permanently removed from your hard drive. Instead, it is moved to the recycle bin, where it can be recovered if needed.
If you have a lot of files in your recycle bin, it can take up a significant amount of space on your computer. This can slow down your computer and affect its performance. By emptying the recycle bin, you can free up space on your hard drive and improve your computer’s performance.
How to Empty the Recycle Bin on Windows 10
Emptying the recycle bin on Windows 10 is a simple process. Here’s how to do it:
- Right-click on the recycle bin icon on your desktop.
- Select “Empty Recycle Bin” from the drop-down menu.
- A pop-up window will appear asking if you are sure you want to permanently delete all the items in the recycle bin. Click “Yes” to confirm.
Alternatively, you can also empty the recycle bin by opening it and clicking on the “Empty Recycle Bin” button at the top of the window.
How to Change the Recycle Bin Icon on Windows 10
If you’re tired of the default recycle bin icon on your desktop, you can easily change it to something more visually appealing. Here’s how to change the recycle bin icon on Windows 10:
- Right-click on the desktop and select “Personalize” from the drop-down menu.
- In the left-hand menu, click on “Themes.”
- Scroll down and click on “Desktop icon settings.”
- In the “Desktop Icon Settings” window, select “Recycle Bin” and click on “Change Icon.”
- Choose a new icon from the list or click “Browse” to select a custom icon from your computer.
- Click “OK” to save your changes.
Where to Find New Recycle Bin Icons
There are many websites where you can find new recycle bin icons to use on your Windows 10 computer. Some popular options include:
- https://iconarchive.com/tag/recycle-bin
- https://www.iconfinder.com/search/?q=recycle%20bin
- https://www.deviantart.com/search?q=recycle+bin+icon
How to Automatically Empty the Recycle Bin on Windows 10
If you want to save yourself the hassle of manually emptying the recycle bin, you can set it to automatically empty at regular intervals. Here’s how to do it:
- Right-click on the recycle bin icon on your desktop and select “Properties” from the drop-down menu.
- In the “Recycle Bin Properties” window, select the drive you want to automatically empty the recycle bin for.
- Check the box next to “Don’t move files to the Recycle Bin. Remove files immediately when deleted.”
- Click “Apply” and then “OK” to save your changes.
How to Recover Deleted Files from the Recycle Bin
If you accidentally delete a file and want to recover it from the recycle bin, here’s how to do it:
- Double-click on the recycle bin icon on your desktop to open it.
- Find the file you want to recover and right-click on it.
- Select “Restore” from the drop-down menu.
- The file will be restored to its original location on your computer.
Alternatively, you can also select multiple files and click on the “Restore” button at the top of the window to restore them all at once.
How to Permanently Delete Files from the Recycle Bin
If you want to permanently delete files from the recycle bin, here’s how to do it:
- Double-click on the recycle bin icon on your desktop to open it.
- Find the file you want to permanently delete and right-click on it.
- Select “Delete” from the drop-down menu.
- The file will be permanently deleted from your computer.
Alternatively, you can also select multiple files and click on the “Delete” button at the top of the window to permanently delete them all at once.
How to Change the Recycle Bin Settings on Windows 10
You can also change the settings for the recycle bin on your Windows 10 computer. Here’s how to do it:
- Right-click on the recycle bin icon on your desktop and select “Properties” from the drop-down menu.
- In the “Recycle Bin Properties” window, you can change the following settings:
- Maximum size: This determines the maximum amount of space the recycle bin can take up on your hard drive. Once it reaches this size, older files will be automatically deleted to make room for new ones.
- Custom size: If you don’t want to use the default maximum size, you can set a custom size for the recycle bin.
- Display delete confirmation dialog: If this box is checked, a pop-up window will appear asking if you are sure you want to delete a file. If it is unchecked, files will be deleted without confirmation.
- Don’t move files to the Recycle Bin. Remove files immediately when deleted: This is the same setting we discussed earlier for automatically emptying the recycle bin.
- Once you have made your desired changes, click “Apply” and then “OK” to save them.
Conclusion
The recycle bin is a useful feature on Windows 10 that allows you to recover deleted files. However, it’s important to regularly empty the recycle bin to free up space on your hard drive and improve your computer’s performance. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily empty the recycle bin, change its icon, and adjust it
