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How I can empty the Recycle bin when it doesn't show up on the desktop or in any place else

Anonymous
2015-06-04T10:51:31+00:00

I'm using Windows 7 Home Premium, my hard disk is full and when I delete some files to make space it naturally goes to the recycle bin, but the problem is that I cann't see rhe recycle bin to be emptied. It doesn't show up if I click the start buttom and type desktop icons, either. When I do that I only get an icon with the same name I typed (desktop icons), so the desktop icon settings dialog box doesn't show up, therefore, if I click that icon I only get to the desktop, but the recycle bin isn't there.

Also, trying to use an alternate way to empty the recycle bin, if I click Start, then All Programs, then Accessories, and lastly click the Command Prompt, it doesn't show up either.

If I cann't find a way to empty the recycle bin, I think another way would be deleting some files with an option to be permanently deleted, without goinng to the recycle bin. However, I don't know the way do do this yet.

I hope someone could help out with this issue.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Files, folders, and storage

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  1. Anonymous
    2015-06-04T16:36:27+00:00

    On Thu, 4 Jun 2015 10:51:34 +0000, YonnyBujosa wrote:

    I'm using Windows 7 Home Premium, my hard disk is full and when I delete some files to make space it naturally goes to the recycle bin,

    Right--unless you hold down the shift key when you delete it.

    I think another way would be deleting some files with an option to be permanently deleted, without goinng to the recycle bin. However, I don't know the way do do this yet.

    See above.

    One other important point: if your hard disk is full, the real point
    is not that your recycle bin is full; it's that your hard drive is too
    small. Anything you do to recover space on it will be temporary and
    you will soon find yourself back in the same situation. The real
    solution is to either replace your drive with a bigger one or buy and
    install a second drive. Fortunately they are very inexpensive these
    days. You can buy a 1TB drive (about the smallest anyone should
    consider) for around $50 USD.

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  1. Anonymous
    2015-06-04T11:14:09+00:00

    The possible reason for this issue might be deleting the Recycle Bin icon by mistake. I am glad to guide you through the solution.

    Right click on an empty area of the desktop and click on Personalize.

    1. Click on the Change desktop iconslink in left pane.
    2. Click to check Recycle Bin.
    3. Click on OK to apply.

    Once completing above steps, Recycle Bin icon will appear on desktop. Follow the below steps to empty the Recycle Bin.

    1. Right click on Recycle Bin icon on desktop.
    2. Click on Empty Recycle Bin.
    3. Confirm your choice by clicking Yes.

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  2. Anonymous
    2015-06-05T01:56:00+00:00

    Hello RicW, thanks a lot for your help. I haven't tried it yet because I'm studing for an exam, but I'll try what you suggested me by tomorrow, and I'll let you know.

    Thanks a lot again.

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  3. Anonymous
    2015-06-04T13:28:07+00:00

    Hi Yonny

    I'll post a link to another thread where you might find a way of recovering your bin but if you want to find it somewhere else click on Computer-OS-Properties, and click on the disk clean-up button...one of the cleaning options there will be to empty your recycle bin (along with other files that can be deleted) - Ric.

    To get your bin back...try my suggestion to Donna posted January 2 this year (page 3 of thread) 

    http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-desktop/my-recycling-has-disappeared-and-i-cannot-find-it/de2b7b40-6711-44d2-af33-7786b3f2e8cd?page=3&tm=1433424563960

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  4. Anonymous
    2015-06-04T13:15:45+00:00

    Thanks a lot for your reply, Bazinga, but it didn't work at all. The problem that I have is a bigger issue since when I did that, there is a check mark selecting "deactivate", and doesn't allow me to unselect that to choose "activate".

    Also, up to this time, all of the previous actions to delete a file permanently to make space in my computer haven't work at all either.

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