We tend to give little importance to what happens to our documents after pressing the key “del”. For many, what happens to them is a mystery. To know in depth What is it and how it worksWe invite you to continue reading this post.
The recycle bin is a tool used by operating systems. Which serves for store files that will be deleted later and permanently. It was introduced by Windows in its version 95. Although previously there were commands that allowed the recovery of deleted files.
Even knowing these details, we must clarify some issues. since it is common not using the full potential of this tool or not configure it according to our needs.
Recycle Bin Are all the items in it really deleted?
As we anticipated, the trash is a temporary file space. This means that all the elements that we place inside will be housed in it. The difference with other files or system libraries is that these can be automatically removed.
Taking this into account, all the documents that enter there will take up space on the computer’s hard drive. For this reason it is necessary to know how to use this tool. Since, if necessary, it can slow down the operation of the PC.
Learn how to use the Windows Trash like a professional step by step
In this post we will tell you how to get the most out of this tool. But first, it is important to mention that we will use the version corresponding to Windows 10.
For explanatory purposes, it works similarly to previous versions:
Open and navigate the trash
Although we have mentioned that the trash can have functions such as automatically deleting its contents, it shares so many others with an ordinary Windows library. Many of the features used by File Explorer are supported in the Recycle Bin.
We will name a few:
- search files. You can use the search bar in the upper right corner of the window to find a document or file. You can include all or part of the name, including just the extension. It is important to say that the search will not be carried out within the files included in the trash.
- sort by category. Just like in Windows Explorer, it is possible to sort the contained documents in alphabetical order, by original location, date deleted, or extension. To achieve this, you just have to click on the name of each column. If you want to reverse the order, repeat this step. You can include more categories by clicking the right mouse button on any column.
- group by category. By right-clicking on a blank space, you can gather multiple files according to the criteria you choose. These match the columns.
- Scan with antivirus. One of the tasks that can be carried out within the trash can is to analyze its content with the protection program that you have installed.
- Restore tombstone file. It is undoubtedly the most important function and the one that justifies the existence of the trash can. If we delete a document by mistake, except for permanent deletion (see below), we can recover it from this tool. Select the document you need to recover, right-click on it and choose “Restore”. It will reappear in its source file.
Hide trash can icon
The Recycle Bin is an essential function of Windows, therefore it cannot be removed without causing harm. However, we can hide your desktop access:
In Windows 10
- Enter the settings menu. To do this, press “Windows key + i”.
- Choose “Personalization”.
- In the sidebar, choose “Topics”. In this window we can configure the appearance of the interface.
- On the far right of the window, you will find the option “Desktop Icon Settings” Press there.
- Doing so will open a small window. Uncheck “Recycle Bin”.
- Press accept.
- If you want to view it again, carry out the same process and mark this option again.
In Windows 8
- Go to the desk.
- Press the left button on it.
- Choose “Personalize”.
- choose “Change desktop icons”
- Continue with the method from the previous step.
In Windows 7
- To access the window “Change desktop icons”. Enter the in the Start Menu.
- Choose “Appearance and customization”.
- Do the same in “Personalization”.
- In the left panel you will find the searched option.
Change and customize icon
Carrying out this customization will not be possible with the method we use in other files or files. To achieve this we must follow the same steps that we mentioned above, until you reach the “Desktop Icon Settings” window:
- In it we must select which image we want to replace (there are two: a full trash can and an empty one).
- press “Change Icon”. A new small window will open.
- You can choose among the icons pre-established by Windows. But if you have downloaded or created your own .ICO file, tap “Review”.
- In the browser, select the replacement image.
- press “To accept” until it has been changed.
Delete files without sending them to the trash
If we take the risk of permanently losing this file, you can remove it as follows:
- Select the element.
- press the keys “Shift (Shift) + Delete (Del)”.
- A confirmation window will open, press “To accept”.
- Another method is to enter the properties of the trash can.
- To do this, press the secondary click on it and choose “Properties”.
- Choose “Do not move files to the Recycle Bin. Remove files immediately upon deletion.” Then Accept. Unlike the previous one, this option will not allow you to choose for each file.
In the case of deleting an item from an external disk or removable device, it is not necessary. Since they will not go through the trash.
Schedule automatic file deletion
Periodically deleting the contents of the Trash is an activity that will improve the performance of the computer. But we don’t always remember it. For this there is a way to do it automatically:
- Open the Windows Task Scheduler (by typing its name in the start menu).
- Once there we click on the option “create basic task”located in the panel on the right.
- We indicate the name of the task, for example “empty trash” and click on next.
- We indicate the periodicity with which we want the task to be executed (it can be daily, weekly, etc.) and “Next” to choose the start date and time.
- In “Action” we mark the option “start a program” Y “Next”.
- In the first text box we enter “cmd.exe” (without quotation marks). In a second “echo S|PowerShell.exe -NoProfile -Command Clear-RecycleBin”.
- To finish, press “To finalize”.
3 Tips to make the most of the Windows Recycle Bin
To keep the computer healthy, it is recommended not to have the trash can full. Follow these simple tips to achieve it:
Empty trash regularly
Periodically check the recycling bin. You can find files that you accidentally deleted or realized it needs to be emptied. Don’t let it fill up, this can slow down your system.
Arrange the items in it
Keep the trash can tidy. It doesn’t matter if it’s by name or date of deletion. It should be easy for you to find an item.
Pin icon on taskbar
If you want to always have this tool within reach, perform these steps:
- Create a shortcut to trash, you can do it with the secondary button on it.
- Do the same with access, but choose “Pin to Start”.
- Open the Start menu and drag the basket icon to the taskbar.
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