How to Add or Remove Recycle Bin to Windows 11 File Explorer

What is File Explorer?

File Explorer 📁 is the built-in Windows app for finding and managing files and folders.

What is the Recycle Bin?

The Recycle Bin 🗑️ temporarily stores deleted files instead of wiping them right away. Desktop icons usually display this folder by default.

Why add Recycle Bin to File Explorer’s side menu?

• Quickly open the Recycle Bin 🗑️ without minimizing or searching for the desktop icon.
• Easily restore deleted files right from File Explorer 📁.
• Keep your desktop clean by removing the Recycle Bin 🗑️ icon from there.

How to add the Recycle Bin to File Explorer’s navigation pane

Integrating the Recycle Bin 🗑️ into File Explorer 📁 puts deleted items within reach. Proceed carefully through each configuration step.

Step 1Open the Windows Registry Editor

You can open the Windows Registry Editor (a database storing low-level operating system settings) by pressing the Win plus R, typing regedit into the run box, and pressing Enter. This built-in tool lets you make advanced system changes like adding the recycle bin 🗑️ file explorer 📁 shortcut to your sidebar. If a user account control prompt appears asking for permission to make changes, click Yes to continue.

1. Press Windows key + R on your keyboard.
2. Type regedit and press Enter.
3. ⚠️ Admin privileges required: If a message pops up asking for permission, click Yes.

Registry guides for Windows 11 provide extra details for anyone needing further context. These resources explain how to access and modify system settings for customizing File Explorer appearance.

Step 2Find the right folder in the Registry

You need to find a specific key within the registry database to control the recycle bin file explorer visibility. Copy and paste Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID\{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E} into the address bar at the top of the Registry Editor and press Enter. If that exact folder does not exist in your list, you must create it manually before moving on to the next step.

Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID\{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}

Create the folder manually if {645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E} remains hidden:

1. Right-click on CLSID folder in the left panel.
2. Select New › Key.
3. Name the new key exactly: {645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}.

Step 3Add or change a value to show Recycle Bin

You control the recycle bin file explorer sidebar appearance by modifying a DWORD value inside your target registry folder. Look for an entry named System.IsPinnedToNameSpaceTree in the right-hand panel. If the entry is already there, you just double-click it to change its settings. If it is missing, you create the value yourself so Windows knows to display the icon.

Locate the entry named System.IsPinnedToNameSpaceTree, which controls showing the Recycle Bin.

1. If it's there, double-click it.
2. If it's NOT there, right-click on a blank space, then choose New › DWORD (32-bit) Value, and name it exactly System.IsPinnedToNameSpaceTree.
3. Set the value data to 1 to turn this feature ON:

   • Value data: 1
4. Then click OK.

Step 4Close Registry Editor and restart your PC

Save all open work, close active programs, and reboot the system to apply changes.

Step 5Check File Explorer

Open File Explorer (press Windows key + E) and inspect the left navigation pane. The Recycle Bin should appear there now.

Summary

• Adding Recycle Bin to File Explorer helps you open deleted files quickly.
• You need to carefully edit the Windows Registry and restart your PC.
• This keeps your desktop neat by removing the Recycle Bin icon from there.
• After this, the Recycle Bin icon is always ready in File Explorer's side menu.
• If you want to put the Recycle Bin back on your desktop later, you can do that easily from Personalization › Themes › Desktop icon settings.