.reg for placing the recycle bin in WE

Question

Windows 11 25H2

Would you write me a .reg that will place the recycle bin somewhere on Windows Explorer's left column?

Answer 1

No need for a script - it's already there:

Answer 2

There is no reg file available to add the Recycle Bin to the left navigation pane in File Explorer, because that data is not stored in the registry.

The easiest method to do that is to right click the Recycle Bin on your Desktop and choose 'Pin to Quick Access', the Recycle Bin will then appear in the left navigation pane of File Explorer.

Answer 3

A .reg file cannot be used to place the Recycle Bin into the left navigation pane of File Explorer in Windows 11. The available policies and settings in the provided information only allow:

1. Showing or hiding the Recycle Bin icon on the desktop.
   • Via Settings → Personalization → Themes → Desktop icon settings, where the Recycle Bin checkbox can be enabled or disabled.
2. Removing most occurrences of the Recycle Bin icon (including from File Explorer) via policy.
   • The NoRecycleBinIcon policy removes most occurrences of the Recycle Bin icon from the desktop, File Explorer, and standard Open dialog boxes.
3. Controlling whether deleted files go to the Recycle Bin or are permanently deleted.
   • The NoRecycleFiles policy changes deletion behavior so that files are either sent to the Recycle Bin or permanently deleted.
4. Removing the Properties option from the Recycle Bin context menu.
   • The NoRecycleBinProperties policy hides the Properties entry when right-clicking Recycle Bin.

None of these documented registry- or policy-based options add Recycle Bin as an item in the left column (navigation pane) of File Explorer, so a supported .reg solution for that specific placement is not provided.

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References:

• Find the Recycle Bin in Windows
• Customize the Desktop Icons in Windows
• Policy CSP - ADMX_Desktop
• Policy CSP - ADMX_WindowsExplorer