How to Fix “Deleted Files Not Showing in Recycle Bin” Windows 10/11?
The Recycle Bin or Trashcan is one of the most important safety features in Windows. Files may skip the Recycle Bin if they are too large, deleted from USB drives, removed using command line tools, or if system settings are misconfigured.
In this easy and detailed guide, you will learn how to fix “Deleted Files Not Showing in Recycle Bin” in Windows 10 and Windows 11 using simple steps.
Let’s see the cause and resolve it to get your deleted files in the Windows Recycle Bin!
How to Fix “Deleted Files Not Showing in Recycle Bin” Windows 10 & Windows 11?
If deleted files are not showing in the Recycle Bin on Windows 10 or Windows 11, it is usually because the files were permanently deleted using Shift + Delete, the Recycle Bin size limit is too small, the Recycle Bin is configured to bypass deleted files, or the files were removed from external drives. You can fix this issue by checking Recycle Bin settings, increasing its storage size, repairing the Recycle Bin, and adjusting system policies.
The following steps cover all common causes and fixes in a logical order.
Step 1: Check How the Files Were Deleted
The first thing you should verify is how the files were deleted. Windows does not send all deleted files to the Recycle Bin by default.
If you used Shift + Delete, Windows permanently deletes the file without sending it to the Recycle Bin. Similarly, files deleted using Command Prompt, PowerShell, or third-party cleanup tools will not appear in the Recycle Bin.
Files deleted from USB drives, SD cards, external hard drives, or network locations also bypass the Recycle Bin completely. In such cases, the missing files are not a system error but normal Windows behavior.
Once you confirm that the files were deleted normally using the Delete key from an internal drive, proceed to the next step.
Step 2: Check Recycle Bin Settings for Each Drive
Windows allows users to configure the Recycle Bin separately for each drive. If the option to bypass the Recycle Bin is enabled, deleted files will not appear there.
Right-click on the Recycle Bin icon on the desktop and open Properties. Select the drive from which the files were deleted. Make sure the option Do not move files to the Recycle Bin is not selected. This setting permanently deletes files instead of storing them temporarily.
Also, verify that Custom size is selected instead of zero. If the size is set too low, Windows may automatically delete files without storing them.
Apply the changes and test by deleting a small file to confirm the fix.
Step 3: Increase the Recycle Bin Storage Size
One of the most overlooked reasons for this issue is a full or undersized Recycle Bin. When the storage limit is reached, Windows automatically deletes older files without warning.
Open Rthe ecycle Bin Properties again and select the affected drive. Increase the maximum size to a reasonable value based on your storage capacity. For example, setting it to a few gigabytes ensures enough room for deleted files.
Click Apply and OK. After this, newly deleted files should start appearing in the Recycle Bin normally.
Step 4: Repair a Corrupted Recycle Bin
Sometimes the Recycle Bin itself becomes corrupted, causing deleted files to not show even when settings are correct. This is common after sudden shutdowns or disk errors.
To repair it, open Command Prompt as Administrator. Type the command that resets the Recycle Bin structure for all drives and press Enter. After the process completes, restart your computer.
This step rebuilds the Recycle Bin database and often fixes issues related to missing deleted files.
Step 5: Check Group Policy Settings
On some systems, especially work or shared computers, Group Policy settings may prevent deleted files from being stored in the Recycle Bin.
Press Windows + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter. Navigate to User Configuration, then Administrative Templates, and then Windows Components. Open File Explorer and look for the policy related to removing files immediately.
If the policy is enabled, set it to Not Configured or Disabled. Restart your system and test the deletion behavior again.
This step is especially important for Windows 10 Pro and Windows 11 Pro users.
Step 6: Check Storage Sense and Cleanup Settings
Storage Sense is a built-in Windows feature that automatically deletes files to free up space. If misconfigured, it may remove Recycle Bin contents automatically.
Open Settings, go to System, and then Storage. Click on Storage Sense and review its configuration. Ensure that automatic deletion of Recycle Bin files is either disabled or set to a longer time period.
Also, check Temporary files and cleanup options to confirm nothing is removing Recycle Bin data unexpectedly.
Step 7: Verify File Size and File Type
Windows does not move extremely large files to the Recycle Bin if they exceed the configured size limit. In such cases, Windows displays a warning that the file will be permanently deleted.
Additionally, some system files and restricted file types may bypass the Recycle Bin for safety reasons.
Try deleting a small text file from your desktop to test if the Recycle Bin is working correctly. If small files appear but large ones do not, the issue is related to file size limitations.
Step 8: Scan for Disk Errors
File system errors can also affect how deleted files are handled. Running a disk check can fix underlying issues.
Open This PC, right-click on the system drive, select Properties, then go to the Tools tab. Run the Check option under error checking. Allow Windows to scan and repair the drive if issues are found.
After the scan, test the Recycle Bin functionality again.
Step 9: Check Third-Party Software Conflicts
Some file shredder tools, system optimizers, and antivirus programs override Windows deletion behavior. These tools often permanently delete files to improve security or performance.
Review recently installed software and check its settings. Temporarily disable or uninstall such tools and then test file deletion.
If the issue disappears, adjust the software settings to allow normal Recycle Bin behavior.
FAQs
Why are my deleted files not going to the Recycle Bin in Windows 11?
This usually happens due to Recycle Bin settings, file size limits, use of Shift + Delete, external drive deletion, or system policies. Checking and adjusting the Recycle Bin properties fixes the issue in most cases.
Can I recover files that never appeared in the Recycle Bin?
If files were permanently deleted, recovery depends on whether the disk space has been overwritten. Using file recovery tools immediately increases the chances of success.
Does Windows automatically delete files from the Recycle Bin?
Yes, Windows can automatically remove Recycle Bin files through Storage Sense or when the storage limit is exceeded.
Why do files deleted from USB drives not appear in the Recycle Bin?
External storage devices do not use the Windows Recycle Bin by default. Deleted files from these devices are removed permanently.
Is this issue common in both Windows 10 and Windows 11?
Yes, the deletion behavior and Recycle Bin settings are similar in Windows 10 and Windows 11, so the same fixes apply to both versions.