Upd __full__: Where Is The Recycle Bin In File Explorer

This is the most common way to make the Recycle Bin visible in the left-hand sidebar of File Explorer. Open File Explorer by pressing Windows + E or clicking the folder icon on your taskbar. Right-click on any empty space in the left-hand navigation pane. from the context menu.

In the and later, Microsoft introduced a native File Explorer tabbed interface. Despite this major UI overhaul, the Recycle Bin’s location remained hidden from the default view. No update has ever moved the Recycle Bin into "This PC" permanently because Microsoft considers it a security feature (preventing users from accidentally dragging the Recycle Bin into a subfolder).

The Recycle Bin is after a Windows Update—it simply requires a non-obvious path or a one-time pinning action to appear in File Explorer. Microsoft has not changed this behavior for over a decade, and no current update roadmap suggests altering it. Users looking for the Recycle Bin inside File Explorer should use the address bar or Quick Access pinning, not browse through This PC . where is the recycle bin in file explorer upd

Alternatively, you can simply click into the empty space of the address bar, type Recycle Bin , and hit . Method 1: Show All Folders in the Navigation Pane

Look at the very first segment of your top address bar (usually a small arrow > or a computer icon). This is the most common way to make

Find any empty, blank space below your pinned drives and folders, then .

In rare cases, after a major Windows update, the Recycle Bin might disappear from both the desktop and File Explorer. Here’s the updated fix for 2025: from the context menu

If the Recycle Bin still doesn't appear, open Command Prompt as Administrator and run the command: sfc /scannow . If you are still having trouble, Find the Recycle Bin in Windows - Microsoft Support

If you want the Recycle Bin to appear in the left sidebar permanently (like older versions of Windows), you can enable it in the settings.

Click the or the empty space to the left of your current file path.

Knowing this hidden location can help you bypass permission errors and, in advanced troubleshooting, manually inspect or reset the Recycle Bin.