why doesnt windows 11 have a empty recycle bin icon instead of using words

66654 · Jul 25, 2025

this would be easier and would make more sense

Marcus Vinicus · Jul 25, 2025

@66654

You mean like this default one on my desktop?

66654 · Jul 25, 2025

no, in the menu

Marcus Vinicus · Jul 25, 2025

Which menu?

Josey Wales · Jul 25, 2025

Empty Recycle Bin in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you different ways to empty the Recycle Bin for specific or all drives for your account or all users in Windows 11. The Recycle Bin provides a safety net when deleting files or folders. When you delete any of these items from a drive, Windows places it in the Recycle Bin...

www.elevenforum.com

Add Empty Recycle Bin to Context Menu in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to add Empty Recycle Bin to the context menu for all users in Windows 10 and Windows 11. The Recycle Bin provides a safety net when deleting files or folders. When you delete any of these items from a hard disk, Windows places it in the Recycle Bin and the...

www.elevenforum.com

Check the above,

66654 · Jul 25, 2025

Marcus Vinicus said:
Which menu?

when you right click the recycle bin

TraderGary · Jul 25, 2025

I pin the Recycle Bin icon to my Start Menu. I then remove the Recycle Bin icon from my desktop. I automatically hide the task bar. I prefer a completely clean icon free desktop.

KevTech · Jul 25, 2025

I still use the Win 7 recycle bin icon on Win 11 as I find it the easiest to determine between empty and not empty.

Marcus Vinicus · Jul 25, 2025

This is mine. I'm running 24H2 latest beta build.

KevTech · Jul 25, 2025

Empty does have an Icon before the words.

Ghot · Jul 25, 2025

Win 11 Home 26100.4770 with the reg patch for the Win 10 context menus.

66654 · Jul 26, 2025

KevTech said:
Empty does have an Icon before the words.

View attachment 140439

yes but i want it to have a large icon instead/aswell

Spunk · Jul 26, 2025

You can use a custom Windows Theme or choose your own

Change Recycle Bin Icon in Windows 11

Switch the default Recycle Bin icon in Windows 11 by accessing desktop icon settings and selecting a custom image for both empty and full states.

allthings.how

Kees · Jul 26, 2025

66654 said:
yes but i want it to have a large icon instead/aswell

You could place a shortcut for emptying the bin on your desktop:
- Right-click an empty part of your desktop area and select New.
- Click Shortcut to open the wizard for creating desktop shortcuts.
- Copy this empty Recycle Bin command by selecting its text and pressing Ctrl + C
~~C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe /c "echo Y|PowerShell.exe -NoProfile -Command Clear-RecycleBin~~
powershell.exe -NoProfile -Command & { Clear-RecycleBin -Confirm:$false }
(edited the upper line, because in #27 @pseymour wrote about a more direct method)
- Paste it into "Location of the item" Ctrl + V
- Press Next
- Input Empty Recycle Bin (or whatever it would be in your language) in the Type a name for this shortcut box.
- Click Finish to add the Empty Recycle Bin shortcut.
- Right-click the shortcut and click properties
- Set the value for Run (default: Normal windows) to Minimized
- Click Change Icon
- Fill in from where you want to take an icon like: %SystemRoot%\System32\SHELL32.dll
- Take some icon you like
- Click OK to close the icon choice window
- Click OK to close the properties window.

I just did that on my desktop and clicking the icon does indeed empty the waste-bin, with some delay.
This does not ask for a confirmation if the emptying may preceed, it is starting the empying right-away!

This description (without the changing of the icon), I found here:

How to Create Shortcuts for Emptying the Windows 10 & 11 Recycle Bin

Clear up room on your PC in a flash with a special Recycle Bin emptying shortcut on Windows.

www.makeuseof.com

Parts of that text I used in my description, because it was the easiest way to write in English (while everything in my system is in Dutch).
I hope I described in an understandable way.

jimbo45 · Jul 26, 2025

Kees said:
You could place a shortcut for emptying the bin on your desktop:
- Right-click an empty part of your desktop area and select New.
- Click Shortcut to open the wizard for creating desktop shortcuts.
- Copy this empty Recycle Bin command by selecting its text and pressing Ctrl + C
C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe /c "echo Y|PowerShell.exe -NoProfile -Command Clear-RecycleBin
- Paste it into "Location of the item" Ctrl + V
- Press Next
- Input Empty Recycle Bin (or whatever it would be in your language) in the Type a name for this shortcut box.
- Click Finish to add the Empty Recycle Bin shortcut.
- Right-click the shortcut and click properties
- Set the value for Run (default: Normal windows) to Minimized
- click Change Icon
- fill in from where you want to take an icon like: %SystemRoot%\System32\SHELL32.dll
- take some icon you like
- Click OK to close the icon choice window
- Click OK to close the property window.

I just did that on my desktop and clicking the icon does indeed empty the waste-bin, with some delay.

This description (without the changing of the icon), I found here:

How to Create Shortcuts for Emptying the Windows 10 & 11 Recycle Bin

Clear up room on your PC in a flash with a special Recycle Bin emptying shortcut on Windows.

www.makeuseof.com

Parts of that text I used in my description, because it was the easiest way to write in English (while everything in my system is in Dutch).
I hope I described in an understandable way.

Fine -- but is it so hard just to right mouse click on the wretched thing and chose empty recycle bin.

Kees said:
You could place a shortcut for emptying the bin on your desktop:
- Right-click an empty part of your desktop area and select New.
- Click Shortcut to open the wizard for creating desktop shortcuts.
- Copy this empty Recycle Bin command by selecting its text and pressing Ctrl + C
C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe /c "echo Y|PowerShell.exe -NoProfile -Command Clear-RecycleBin
- Paste it into "Location of the item" Ctrl + V
- Press Next
- Input Empty Recycle Bin (or whatever it would be in your language) in the Type a name for this shortcut box.
- Click Finish to add the Empty Recycle Bin shortcut.
- Right-click the shortcut and click properties
- Set the value for Run (default: Normal windows) to Minimized
- click Change Icon
- fill in from where you want to take an icon like: %SystemRoot%\System32\SHELL32.dll
- take some icon you like
- Click OK to close the icon choice window
- Click OK to close the property window.

I just did that on my desktop and clicking the icon does indeed empty the waste-bin, with some delay.
This does not ask for a confirmation if the emptying may preceed, it is starting the empying right-away!

This description (without the changing of the icon), I found here:

How to Create Shortcuts for Emptying the Windows 10 & 11 Recycle Bin

Clear up room on your PC in a flash with a special Recycle Bin emptying shortcut on Windows.

www.makeuseof.com

Parts of that text I used in my description, because it was the easiest way to write in English (while everything in my system is in Dutch).
I hope I described in an understandable way.

Hi there
not wanting to stir up aggro but is it so hard to simply right mouse click on the wretched thing and then choose empty recycle bin.

Lots of good ideas on the forum for Windows but I'm not sure if it's worth bothering -- what might be of more interest is a "direct delete" without having it go to the re-cycle bin at all. But I'd imagine if Ms did that there would be all sorts of people saying can't you have a confirmation message before deleting something - so it's impossible to win here !!!. I usually prefer a "direct delete" though.

Cheers
jimbo

Kees · Jul 26, 2025

jimbo45 said:
...not wanting to stir up aggro but is it so hard to simply right mouse click on the wretched thing and then choose empty recycle bin.

Not hard for me. I always did empty the bin by right-clicking on it and I will keep doing that!

The OP was the one that would explicitely like to do it like that and I searched for him how to do it.
So I posted a description that the OP could use.
Tested it on my desktop and it does function, but I will not keep that icon there.

I really don't see why you are blaming me for posting a practical answer to the question of the OP.

PS. You did a double quote of my post.
Possibly tou could edit your post?

jimbo45 · Jul 26, 2025

Kees said:
Not hard for me. I always did empty the bin by right-clicking on it and I will keep doing that!

The OP was the one that would explicitely like to do it like that and I searched for him how to do it.
So I posted a description that the OP could use.
Tested it on my desktop and it does function, but I will not keep that icon there.

I really don't see why you are blaming me for posting a practical answer to the question of the OP.

PS. You did a double quote of my post.
Possibly tou could edit your post?

sorry - not blaming you at all !!

Editing on tiny phone screens is HORRIBLE !!!! -- computers with proper keyboards and nice big monitors --much better. !!!

Cheers
jimbo

snerd · Jul 26, 2025

TraderGary said:
I pin the Recycle Bin icon to my Start Menu. I then remove the Recycle Bin icon from my desktop. I automatically hide the task bar. I prefer a completely clean icon free desktop.

You're like my brother from another mother lol I also like a clean desktop, although I do have a few icons for well-used programs. I also auto-hide the taskbar. I also use Onedrive the same as you do, with nary a problem. Ever. Rock on!

FrancoDT · Jul 26, 2025

I've been using my little taskbar recycle bin app since Windows 7 and it still works flawless through Win 11. You can customize the icons and set the full size. Mine shows the level by percent and changes color as it gets full. Just double click to empty.

cereberus · Jul 26, 2025

jimbo45 said:
Fine -- but is it so hard just to right mouse click on the wretched thing and chose empty recycle bin.

Hi there
not wanting to stir up aggro but is it so hard to simply right mouse click on the wretched thing and then choose empty recycle bin.

Lots of good ideas on the forum for Windows but I'm not sure if it's worth bothering -- what might be of more interest is a "direct delete" without having it go to the re-cycle bin at all. But I'd imagine if Ms did that there would be all sorts of people saying can't you have a confirmation message before deleting something - so it's impossible to win here !!!. I usually prefer a "direct delete" though.

Cheers
jimbo

Errrrrr - shift + delete does direct delete an item without putting it in recycle bin and dates back (afaik) to XP!
You still have to answer yes or no though to confirm.

why doesnt windows 11 have a empty recycle bin icon instead of using words

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