Computer Basics / Windows Course

How to empty the Recycle Bin and recover deleted files in Windows

Difficult : easy
OS needed : Windows 10, Windows 11

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General information about the Recycle Bin

When you delete a file or folder from your computer, it is actually moved to the Windows Recycle Bin. This process allows you to recover your file or folder in case of accidental deletion, for example. The Recycle Bin is therefore essential, but it needs to be emptied regularly to avoid unnecessarily cluttering your computer!

This beginner’s lesson on the Windows Recycle Bin will explain how the Windows Recycle Bin works.

1. Empty the Recycle Bin
2. Remove a Shortcut from the Taskbar
3. Prevent accidental deletions

1. Empty the Recycle Bin

Emptying your Recycle Bin only takes a few seconds. Right-click the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop, then select Empty Recycle Bin and confirm. Once the Recycle Bin is emptied, the files cannot be recovered. Emptying the Recycle Bin helps free up disk space.

Step-by-Step:

1. Right-click on the Recycle Bin icon.
2. Click Empty Recycle Bin.
3. Confirm the action.

Right Click, Empty Recycle Bin.

2. Recover a deleted file

To recover a deleted file:

1. Double-click the Recycle Bin to open it.
2. Locate your file.
3. Right-click the file and select Restore.

You can restore a file as long as the Recycle Bin has not been emptied. If the Recycle Bin has been emptied, specialized recovery software can help retrieve your files.

What if my Recycle Bin is empty?

If you have accidentally emptied the Recycle Bin, you can use recovery software such as Recuva (link). Download Recuva or another recovery program to restore lost files.

3. Prevent accidental deletion

By default, Windows does not ask for confirmation when you delete a file. We recommend enabling it:

Right-click the Recycle Bin → Properties → check Display delete confirmation dialog.

This will prevent accidental deletion by warning you each time you delete a file or folder. Let see this in pictures. On the Recycle Bin : right click / Properties :