Remove the Recycle Bin Icon from the Windows 7 Desktop
Article by George Norman
On 02 Dec 2009
With Windows 7, Microsoft has gone to great lengths to ensure the operating system will provide a pleasurable user experience. The Redmond-based software giant has made the OS (operating system) easy enough so that even novice computer users can pick up the basics in no time at all; at the same time, it has made customization options a lot simpler for more advanced users.

Take the Recycle Bin icon for example. I never understood why I could easily make the My Computer icon go away – and then restore it if I wanted to – but I could not do the same with the Recycle Bin. On my old Windows XP-powered computer I had to use 3rd party software to remove the Recycle Bin icon from the desktop (mainly Tweak UI).

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On my new Windows 7 powered PC, I can easily remove the Recycle Bin icon from the desktop. It is a pretty straightforward process that any computer user can pull off in no time at all. Just follow the detailed, step-by-step instruction presented below and you should be just fine.

Here is what you have to do to remove the Recycle Bin desktop icon in Windows 7:

Step 1. Minimize all open windows.

Step 2. Right click an empty space on the desktop. From the context menu that appears select Personalization.

Step 3. From the top left hand corner of the window, click Change desktop icons.

Step 4. The Desktop Icon Settings window will appear. Simply uncheck the box next to Recycle Bin -> click Apply -> click OK and you’re done. The Recycle Bin icon will no longer be displayed on the desktop.

Tips and warnings
  • If you want to restore the Recycle Bin desktop icon, follow the steps presented above. When you get to step 4, simply check the box next to Recycle Bin.
  • If you do not want to see the Recycle Bin on the desktop but you still want easy access to it, you could pin the Recycle Bin to the Taskbar.




Tags: Microsoft, Windows 7, Recycle Bin, Desktop icon
About the author: George Norman
George is a news editor.
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