How to Hide the Recycle Bin Icon in Windows 11 (Without Losing Your Mind)
Ah, the classic clutter dilemma. The Recycle Bin icon can take up space and add to the visual noise, especially if you’re aiming for a cleaner desktop look. I’ve been there—trying to hide that icon and thinking it’d be straightforward, only to find it’s not always obvious where to click. After trying out a few methods, here’s what finally worked for me, and hopefully it helps anyone stuck on the same thing.
Using the Settings App to Hide the Recycle Bin
Opening the Settings isn’t tricky, but the menu layout can be a bit confusing at first. Press Windows key + I to bring up Settings. Once there, find Personalisation — it’s usually the easiest section to navigate. Then, go to Themes. That part threw me off initially — sometimes it’s labelled differently depending on your Windows version or updates, but on Windows 11, it’s pretty much under Themes directly.
Scroll down until you see Desktop icon settings. It might be tucked away under a “Related Settings” link or a small menu — not immediately obvious. If you don’t see it right away, try clicking on the small links at the bottom of the Themes page. This will open a window labelled “Desktop Icon Settings”.
In that window, you’ll see checkboxes for icons like This PC, Network, and Recycle Bin. Simply uncheck the box next to Recycle Bin. That’s the main step—your checkbox controls whether the icon appears or not.
Click Apply and then OK. Sometimes, the icon doesn’t disappear immediately — it’s like Windows needs a little nudge. Usually, a quick refresh or logging out does the trick. Just keep in mind that if your PC is managed by an organisation or has some OEM restrictions, some options might be greyed out or locked. In that case, a BIOS update or specific OEM settings may be required, but for most users, this method works fine.
The Quick and Easy Fix: Run a Command to Hide the Icon
If navigating the Settings feels slow or cumbersome, there’s a quicker way — using the Run box. Honestly, I prefer this method now because it’s much faster once you get the hang of it.
Press Windows key + R and type desk.cpl. This simple command opens the Desktop Icon Settings directly — no need to hunt through menus. Hit Enter or click OK.
This opens the same window I mentioned earlier, with the list of icons. Uncheck the Recycle Bin box, click Apply, then OK. In seconds, your desktop will be clutter-free — no accidental double-clicks on that icon. I’ve tried both methods, but honestly, this one feels quicker and less frustrating, especially when you’re in a hurry.
One thing to note — the icon may reappear after Windows updates, resets, or certain system restores. This seems to happen more often than I’d like. If it does, just repeat the process. Also, a heads-up — hiding the Recycle Bin doesn’t disable its function; it just makes the icon vanish. Your files are still safe, and if you double-click the icon later, it will show up again unless you hide it once more.
Additional Tips & Final Thoughts
If you’re aiming for a minimalist desktop, keep in mind that some OEMs may have their own custom settings or restrictions. If the icon is missing but still accessible via other methods (like tpm.msc for BitLocker or Storage Settings), you’re probably good. For most users, these tweaks won’t cause issues elsewhere.
And don’t forget — if the icon reappears after updates, double-check your personalisation settings. Windows sometimes resets them automatically, especially after major updates or security patches. It’s a bit annoying, but easy enough to fix — just run the command again or revisit Settings.
I hope this helps — it took me ages to find this trick when I was trying to tidy up my desktop. It’s those little things that should be simple but end up being a hassle. Anyway, I hope this saves someone a weekend of frustration.