If you don't want to change your settings and just need to find the folder path quickly, you can type it directly into the address bar.
This will instantly transport you to the Recycle Bin view.
After a Windows update, Quick Access often remains intact. Use this method to avoid registry edits:
Now the Recycle Bin will appear in the Quick Access section of every File Explorer window. This survives most updates because Quick Access is synced with your Microsoft account.
After reboot, the Recycle Bin will appear at the bottom of the navigation pane under “This PC” or as a separate entry.
| Update Feature | Effect on Recycle Bin in File Explorer |
|----------------|------------------------------------------|
| Windows 11 2024 Update (24H2) | No change; Recycle Bin remains absent from default view. Address bar method still works. |
| Windows 10 ESU updates | No removal or relocation. |
| New File Explorer tabs | Recycle Bin can be opened in a new tab via address bar. |
| Quick Access pinning | Still functional; pinned Recycle Bin persists through updates. |
This is the quickest way to find the bin if it isn't in your left sidebar.
Microsoft includes a set of “shell commands” that can open hidden system folders directly. The Recycle Bin has its own command.
Steps:
The Recycle Bin will open immediately in File Explorer. You can even create a desktop shortcut with this command for one-click access.
Bonus: To create a permanent shortcut inside File Explorer’s “This PC,” you’d need to edit the Registry—a method we don’t recommend for average users. Stick with Quick Access pinning instead.
First, it’s important to understand why this question keeps coming up. The Recycle Bin is a special system folder with a CLSID (class identifier) rather than a standard path like C:\$Recycle.Bin. Unlike regular folders, it cannot be moved, copied, or deleted through normal File Explorer operations.
Microsoft’s design choice keeps the Recycle Bin exclusively on the desktop by default. This prevents users from accidentally dragging it into another folder or deleting it from within File Explorer. However, power users and those who prefer keyboard-driven workflows often want quick access via File Explorer’s left sidebar.
So, if you open File Explorer (Win + E) and look under "This PC," you won’t see it. But don’t worry—there are several reliable ways to bring it back.
Where Is The Recycle Bin In File Explorer Upd -
If you don't want to change your settings and just need to find the folder path quickly, you can type it directly into the address bar.
This will instantly transport you to the Recycle Bin view.
After a Windows update, Quick Access often remains intact. Use this method to avoid registry edits:
Now the Recycle Bin will appear in the Quick Access section of every File Explorer window. This survives most updates because Quick Access is synced with your Microsoft account. where is the recycle bin in file explorer upd
After reboot, the Recycle Bin will appear at the bottom of the navigation pane under “This PC” or as a separate entry.
| Update Feature | Effect on Recycle Bin in File Explorer |
|----------------|------------------------------------------|
| Windows 11 2024 Update (24H2) | No change; Recycle Bin remains absent from default view. Address bar method still works. |
| Windows 10 ESU updates | No removal or relocation. |
| New File Explorer tabs | Recycle Bin can be opened in a new tab via address bar. |
| Quick Access pinning | Still functional; pinned Recycle Bin persists through updates. |
This is the quickest way to find the bin if it isn't in your left sidebar. If you don't want to change your settings
Microsoft includes a set of “shell commands” that can open hidden system folders directly. The Recycle Bin has its own command.
Steps:
The Recycle Bin will open immediately in File Explorer. You can even create a desktop shortcut with this command for one-click access. This will instantly transport you to the Recycle Bin view
Bonus: To create a permanent shortcut inside File Explorer’s “This PC,” you’d need to edit the Registry—a method we don’t recommend for average users. Stick with Quick Access pinning instead.
First, it’s important to understand why this question keeps coming up. The Recycle Bin is a special system folder with a CLSID (class identifier) rather than a standard path like C:\$Recycle.Bin. Unlike regular folders, it cannot be moved, copied, or deleted through normal File Explorer operations.
Microsoft’s design choice keeps the Recycle Bin exclusively on the desktop by default. This prevents users from accidentally dragging it into another folder or deleting it from within File Explorer. However, power users and those who prefer keyboard-driven workflows often want quick access via File Explorer’s left sidebar.
So, if you open File Explorer (Win + E) and look under "This PC," you won’t see it. But don’t worry—there are several reliable ways to bring it back.