Recycle bin desktop icon missing? Here's how to restore it!

Is the Recycle Bin icon missing from your desktop? This step-by-step tutorial will show you how to restore it on Windows 11.

How to restore the Recycle Bin icon on the desktop on Windows 11 (method 1)

  1. Right-click on your desktop.
  2. Click Personalize.
    Open Windows 11 personalization settings
  3. Click Themes.
    Open Windows 11 theme settings
  4. Click Desktop icon settings.
    Open Windows 11 desktop icon settings
  5. In the next window, check the checkbox next to Recycle Bin.
    Restore Recycle bin desktop icon on Windows 11
  6. Click Apply.
  7. Click OK.
  8. Close settings.

How to restore the Recycle Bin icon on the desktop on Windows 11 (method 2)

Try this solution if the Recycle Bin icon and all other icons are missing from your desktop.

  1. Right-click on your desktop.
  2. Go to View.
  3. Ensure the 'Show desktop icons' option is checked.
    Restore Recycle bin desktop icon on Windows 11

How to restore the Recycle Bin icon on the desktop on Windows 11 (method 3)

  1. Open File Explorer.
    Open Windows File Explorer
  2. Click on the three-dot button in the top menu of File Explorer.
  3. Click Options.
    Open File Explorer options in Windows 11
  4. In the next window, click the View tab.
    View tab
  5. Uncheck the Hide protected operating system files option in the 'Advanced settings' section.
    Hide protected operating system files option
  6. Click Yes to confirm.
    Warning
  7. Click Apply.
    Folder Options Apply button
  8. Click OK.
  9. Click on View in the top menu of File Explorer.
  10. Go to Show.
  11. Click Hidden items.
    Show hidden items in File Explorer
  12. Click on your C drive (Local Disk (C:)) under 'This PC'.
    Local Disk (C:)
  13. Open the $Recycle.Bin folder.
    Recycle bin folder
  14. Right-click on Recycle Bin.
  15. Click on Show more options.
    Show more options for Recycle bin
  16. Go to Send to.
  17. Click Desktop (create shortcut).
    Restore Recycle bin desktop icon on Windows 11

Note: don't forget to change the 'hidden items' and 'Hide protected operating system files' settings back to their default settings.

If these solutions didn't resolve the problem, explore the solutions provided on this page.

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Related:

How to hide the Recycle Bin from the desktop in Windows 10 & 11

How to fix missing desktop icons in Windows 10 and 11