4 Ways to Empty Recycle Bin on Windows 10

Overview of the Recycle Bin

The Recycle Bin is an important system folder in Windows to temporarily store deleted files and folders. By default, it is located in the RECYCLER folder on the root directory of each hard disk partition. You can easily access it by double-clicking the icon on the desktop or by checking File Explorer.

When a file is deleted, it is moved to the Recycle Bin folder, where it remains until either the user manually empties the Bin or the system automatically removes older files to free up space. If you change your mind or realize you made a mistake, you can easily restore the file from the Recycle Bin to its original location at any time.

Why Should You Empty Recycle Bin on Windows 10?

While the Recycle Bin offers a chance to recover deleted files, it's important to empty it regularly. Storing too many deleted files in the Recycle Bin takes up valuable disk space, which can slow down your system and impact performance.

Additionally, keeping unrequired files in the Recycle Bin for too long may also interfere with system backups and other disk management tasks. For sensitive data, it is crucial to empty the Recycle Bin after deletion, preventing accidental data loss.

4 Ways to Empty Recycle Bin on Windows 10

"How do I empty the Recycle Bin in Windows 10?" This section outlines four easy methods to help you do so. Choose the one that works best for you.

Fix 1. Empty Recycle Bin on Desktop

By default, the Recycle Bin is located on your desktop in Windows. From here, you can view all files that have been deleted recently. Follow these steps to empty the folder: 

Step 1. Locate the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop. 

Step 2. Right-click the icon and select the Empty Recycle Bin option.

Step 3. Click Yes to continue the process when prompted with "Are you sure you want to permanently delete all of these items?" This will permanently erase all files stored in the Recycle Bin.

Fix 2. Use the Recycle Bin Window

Alternatively, you can empty the Recycle Bin using its Manage menu. Here are the detailed steps to do so:

Step 1. Locate the Recycle Bin on your desktop and open it.

Step 2. In the Recycle Bin window, click the Manage tab in the ribbon at the top.

Step 3. Click Empty Recycle Bin, then confirm by clicking Yes when prompted.

Fix 3. Empty Recycle Bin Using Command-Line Tools

In addition to directly emptying the Recycle Bin, you are also allowed to clear it using command-line tools. These methods are useful if you prefer automation or if you're performing batch tasks across multiple machines.

► Command Prompt

To empty the Recycle Bin on Windows 10 using Command Prompt, follow these steps:

Step 1. Press Windows + S and type cmd.

Step 2. Select Run as Administrator.  

Step 3. Type the following command and press Enter.

rd /s /q C:\$Recycle.bin

You can replace C: with the drive letter of another partition to clear the Recycle Bin on other drives.

Step 4. The command will immediately empty the Recycle Bin. Just wait for the process to complete.

► PowerShell

Follow these steps to empty the Recycle Bin on Windows 10 using PowerShell:

Step 1. Press Windows + X and select Windows PowerShell (Admin).

Step 2. Type the following command and press Enter.

Clear-RecycleBin -Force -Confirm:$false

Step 3. The command will immediately empty the Recycle Bin. Just wait for the process to complete.

Fix 4. Empty Recycle Bin in Settings

You can also empty the Recycle Bin through Settings in Windows 10, though it’s a bit less direct than using the desktop or command-line tools. Here’s how to empty the Recycle Bin on Windows 10 via settings:

Step 1. Press Windows + I to open the Windows Settings.

Step 2. Click on System and then select Storage from the left panel. 

Step 3. Click on Temporary files to view more options.

Step 4. Ensure the box next to Recycle Bin is selected.

Step 5. Click Remove Files to permanently delete all files in the Recycle Bin.

What Happens After Emptying the Recycle Bin?

Once you empty the Recycle Bin, all files stored within it are permanently removed from your system and can no longer be accessed directly. Therefore, it's important to double-check before emptying the Recycle Bin to prevent accidental data loss.

However, the files are not immediately erased from the storage device. The actual data remains on your computer until it is overwritten by new data. This means recovery might still be possible with specialized software unless the data has been replaced.

Recover Permanently Deleted Files Using Software

How to recover a deleted file after emptying the Recycle Bin? If you accidentally lose essential files by emptying the Recycle Bin, don’t worry—professional recovery software can help you restore them. We recommend AOMEI FastRecovery, a robust tool designed to recover various file types from different devices on Windows PCs and servers. Whether your data was lost due to accidental deletion or corruption, AOMEI FastRecovery makes retrieval simple and effective.

Key Features of AOMEI FastRecovery:

Comprehensive Data Recovery: Handles various data loss scenarios, including recovering permanently deleted files.

File Preview: Allows you to preview files before recovery, ensuring you retrieve the correct ones.

Real-Time Recovery: Enables file recovery during the scanning process, saving you valuable time.

User-Friendly Interface: Features a user-friendly interface, making it accessible even for those with minimal experience.

Here’s how to recover a deleted file after emptying Recycle Bin using AOMEI FastRecovery:

Step 1. Install and launch AOMEI FastRecovery first, and then choose the exact partition or drive where the deleted files were originally located.

Step 2. Scan the selected drive. It will execute a Quick Scan first to find your data fast, followed by a Deep Scan to search for additional lost data comprehensively.

Step 3. Once the scan is complete, all recoverable files will be displayed. Kindly choose the specific files and then click Recover.

Step 4. Choose a destination folder to save the recovered files. Wait for the recovery process to finish.

FAQs

Q1: Can I undo emptying the Recycle Bin in Windows 10?

No, once you empty the Recycle Bin in Windows 10, there is no built-in option to undo the action. However, you can attempt to recover the deleted files using third-party data recovery software like AOMEI FastRecovery, provided the deleted data has not been overwritten.

Q2: Is it possible to automate emptying the Recycle Bin in Windows 10?

You can automatically empty the Recycle Bin in Windows 10 by following these steps:

• Go to Settings > System > Storage.
• Turn on Storage Sense.
• Click Configure Storage Sense or run it now.
• Under Temporary Files, choose how frequently you want to delete files in the Recycle Bin.

Q3: How much storage space does the Recycle Bin use?

By default, the Recycle Bin typically reserves 5% to 10% of the total capacity of each drive for storing deleted files. If the allocated space is exceeded, older files will be permanently deleted.

Final Words

The Recycle Bin is a crucial system folder in Windows that temporarily stores deleted files and folders. This post shows you 4 different ways to empty the Recycle Bin on Windows 10, helping you free up space and improve system performance.

Keep in mind that once the Recycle Bin is emptied, the files stored within it are permanently removed. It’s advised to double-check the contents of the Recycle Bin before emptying it to avoid unintentional data loss.If you accidentally delete important files, immediately use AOMEI FastRecovery to get them back.