How to Empty the Recycle Bin in Windows 11

To empty the Recycle Bin in Windows 11, right-click the Recycle Bin on the desktop, choose Empty Recycle Bin, and select Yes. This permanently removes everything in the bin and frees up its disk space. To delete only some items, open the Recycle Bin first, select the files, and delete those instead.

Empty the Entire Recycle Bin

1. Go to the desktop and find the Recycle Bin icon.
2. Right-click the icon and select Empty Recycle Bin.
3. Select Yes when Windows asks you to confirm.

Windows deletes the files immediately after you confirm. You can also open the Recycle Bin and select Empty Recycle Bin on the toolbar at the top.

Delete Only Selected Files

1. Double-click the Recycle Bin.
2. Select one or more files. Hold Ctrl while clicking to choose separate items.
3. Press Delete, or right-click the selection and choose Delete.
4. Confirm the deletion when prompted.

Empty the Recycle Bin From Settings

1. Open Settings > System > Storage.
2. Select Temporary files.
3. Check Recycle Bin and uncheck anything you want to keep, such as Downloads.
4. Select Remove files.

This page also shows how much space the Recycle Bin is using.

Empty the Recycle Bin With a Command

Open Terminal and run the command below. Windows asks you to confirm before deleting.

Clear-RecycleBin

Microsoft documents it in the Clear-RecycleBin reference.

Before You Empty the Recycle Bin

• Check for important files: use the Recycle Bin search box or sort by Date Deleted before deleting everything.
• Restore a file instead: select it and choose Restore to return it to its original location.
• Understand “permanent” deletion: Windows removes the file from normal access. Recovery may sometimes be possible with specialist software, but it isn’t guaranteed, especially after the storage space has been reused.

Automatically Clear Old Recycle Bin Files With Storage Sense

1. Open Settings > System > Storage > Storage Sense.
2. Turn on Automatic User content cleanup.
3. Under Delete files in my recycle bin if they have been there for over, choose a time, such as 30 days.

Files older than that period are removed automatically, so choose carefully.

Change Recycle Bin Settings

1. Right-click the Recycle Bin and select Properties.
2. Select a drive, then choose Custom size to set how much space the bin can use.
3. Check Display delete confirmation dialog if you want Windows to ask before moving files to the bin.
4. Select OK.

Avoid Don’t move files to the Recycle Bin unless you’re sure, since deleted files then skip the bin entirely.

If You Can’t Empty the Recycle Bin

1. Close any apps that might be using a deleted file, then try again.
2. Open Task Manager, right-click Windows Explorer, and select Restart.
3. Try the Settings method or Clear-RecycleBin instead of the desktop icon.
4. If the option is grayed out on a work or school PC, your organization may control it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does emptying the Recycle Bin free up space?

Yes. Items in the Recycle Bin still use space on the drive until you permanently delete them.

What if I can’t see the Recycle Bin icon?

Open Start and search for Recycle Bin. To put the icon back on the desktop, follow Microsoft’s steps: go to Settings > Personalization > Themes > Desktop icon settings and select Recycle Bin.

Can I recover a file after emptying the Recycle Bin?

Possibly, but there’s no guarantee. Stop saving new files to that drive and check whether the file is in a backup, such as OneDrive or File History. See how to find deleted files in Windows 11.

How do I empty the Recycle Bin in Windows 10?

The steps are the same. Right-click the Recycle Bin on the desktop, choose Empty Recycle Bin, and select Yes.

Related guides: see what’s taking up space on your PC, delete temp files in Windows 11, and remove the Recycle Bin from the desktop.

Using an Android phone too? Here’s how to empty the trash on Android.