How to change Recycle Bin settings on Windows 11

On Windows 11, when you delete files, they are not immediately removed from the drive. Instead, they are marked for deletion and stored in the Recycle Bin in case you need them back.

The only caveat is that files in the Recycle Bin aren't kept forever. Depending on the drive (partition) size, the operating system will reserve a small percentage to store deleted files. As the space fills up, the system will begin removing the oldest files to free up space for files, limiting the number of files you can restore.

However, you can change the settings to allow the Recycle Bin to store more (or fewer) deleted files. You can even specify to skip the Recycle Bin altogether when removing a file, and you can enable a confirmation prompt to minimize the times you accidentally delete files.

In this how-to guide, I will explain how to manage your computer's Recycle Bin settings.

How to change Recycle Bin reserved storage on Windows 11

To change the amount of space Recycle Bin can use before deleting files completely, use these steps:

1. Use the "Windows key + D" keyboard shortcut to see the desktop icons (if applicable).

• Quick tip: If you don't see any items, right-click the desktop, select "View," and click on "Show desktop icons."

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

3. Select the Local Disk (C:) location.
4. Choose the Custom size option.
5. Use the Maximum size setting to specify the amount of space the Recycle Bin should use in megabytes.

• Quick note: 1GB is equal to 1,024MB, which means if you want to reserve 50GB, you need to specify 51,200 megabytes.

6. Click the Apply button.
7. Click the OK button.

Once you complete the steps, the Recycle Bin will store deleted files until they reach the maximum capacity you specify. Then, it will start permanently deleting files from the oldest to the newest.

Although you can configure the Recycle Bin on the main drive and the secondary drive, removable drives do not support this feature.

How to delete files without Recycle Bin on Windows 11

To skip the Recycle Bin to delete files immediately, use these steps:

1. Use the Windows key + D keyboard shortcut to see the desktop icons.

• Quick tip: If you don't see any items, right-click the desktop, select "View," and click on "Show desktop icons."

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

3. Select the "Don't move files to the Recycle Bin. Remove files immediately when deleted" option.

4. Click the Apply button.
5. Click the OK button.

After you complete the steps, files that you delete manually will be removed immediately, skipping the Recycle Bin on Windows 11.

If you don't want to enable this feature, you can press the Shift key while deleting a file to skip the Recycle Bin.

How to display dialog before deleting files on Windows 11

Although you can always restore files from the Recycle Bin, if you usually delete files by accident, you can enable an option to display a confirmation dialog before deletion.

To disable confirmation before deleting files to the Recycle Bin, use these steps:

1. Use the Windows key + D keyboard shortcut to see the desktop icons.Quick tip: If you don't see any items, right-click the desktop, select View, and click on Show desktop icons.
2. Right-click the Recycle Bin icon and select the Properties option.

3. Select the Display delete confirmation dialog option.

4. Click the Apply button.
5. Click the OK button.

Once you complete the steps, you'll see a prompt before sending the file to the Recycle Bin when deleting a file.

More resources

For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10 and Windows 11, visit the following resources:

• Windows 11 on Windows Central — All you need to know
• Windows 10 on Windows Central — All you need to know