Adjusting the Amount of Disk Space for the Recycle Bin in Windows 11

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The post provides a guide for adjusting the maximum size of the Recycle Bin on Windows 11. Users may want to modify this if they regularly delete many files and wish to keep as many items as possible without automatic removal due to size limits. Instructions include accessing the Recycle Bin properties, selecting the desired…

This post shows students and new users steps to change or resize the maximum size of the Recycle Bin for each volume on Windows 11. By default, Windows automatically assigns a maximum size for the Recycle Bin on each volume.

Any time you delete something on Windows, it goes to the Recycle Bin. Whatever was deleted sits there in Recycle Bin until you manually empty it or it reaches its default maximum size, at which point Windows deletes the oldest files to make room for new ones.

Computers’ multiple hard drives or partitions will each have their own Recycle Bin settings. The settings are stored as a hidden system folder named “$RECYCLE.BIN” at the root of each volume.

In many cases, the default Recycle Bin size will be just fine. However, if you delete many files and folders regularly, and the Recycle Bin is typically full, older items will automatically be removed. If you want to restore these items, you may never get them back.

Suppose you want to keep as many items as possible in the Recycle Bin without worrying that they will be automatically removed because of the size limit. In that case, you may want to adjust the maximum size of the recycle bin, and the steps below show you how to do that.

To adjust the maximum size of the recycle bin on Windows 11, follow the steps below.

How to resize the recycle bin’s maximum size

As mentioned above, Windows automatically assigns the maximum size of the recycle bin. Normally, normal users should not adjust the settings, which should be good. However, you can increase or decrease the recycle bin size anytime.

To adjust the maximum size of the recycle bin, right-click on the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop, then select Properties from the context menu, as shown below.

You can also access the Properties settings by opening the Recycle Bin, selecting the ellipse (three dots on the toolbar menu), and selecting Properties.

On Recycle Bin Properties window, you’ll see each volume listed. If you have only one volume, then you’ll only see that. If you have multiple volumes, you’ll see all listed. Select the volume for which you want to change the size, then type a specific size in MB in the “Custom Size” field. Click OK to save your settings, and you’re done.

Those who rather items are immediately deleted instead of setting them in the Recycle Bin can choose the option that reads “Don’t move files to the Recycle Bin. Remove files immediately when deleted

Additional settings can be enabled from the properties windows, like “Displaying delete confirmation dialog” before deleting or emptying the Recycle Bin. These are all good settings to have and can be set on the Recycle Bin properties windows.

That should do it!

Conclusion:

This post showed you how to adjust the maximum size of the Recycle Bin. Please use our comment form below if you find any errors above or have something to add.

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3 responses to “Adjusting the Amount of Disk Space for the Recycle Bin in Windows 11”

  1. SidB Avatar
    SidB

    You write:

    “If you’re exited about Windows 11, keep reading out posts on it.”

    I’m sure you mean: If you’re excited about Windows 11, keep reading our posts on it.

    1. Richard Avatar
      Richard

      Thank you! Updated.

  2. Enabling or Disabling the Recycle Bin on Windows 11 for Removable Drives - Geek Rewind

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