- Using the Settings app and Disk Cleanup tool provides an easy way to empty the Recycle Bin.
- You can also use Storage Sense to configure Windows to empty the Recycle Bin at regular intervals.
- It is also possible to empty the Recycle Bin via Command Prompt or PowerShell.
Method 1: Empty Recycle Bin via Context Menu
Let’s start with a method most of you might be familiar with. The quickest way to empty the Recycle Bin on Windows is from the context menu. Right-click on the Recycle Bin icon and select Empty Recycle Bin from the resulting menu.
Alternatively, you can also right-click anywhere on an empty spot within the Recycle Bin window and select the Empty Recycle Bin option.
Method 2: Empty the Recycle Bin via Settings
If the above methods do not work, try clearing Recycle Bin files from the Settings app. This method also allows you to configure Windows to empty the Recycle Bin automatically.
Step 1: Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app and head to System > Storage .
Step 2: Click on Temporary files .
Step 3: Check the Recycle Bin box and uncheck everything else. Then, click the Remove files button at the top.
Alternatively, you can use Windows’s Storage Sense feature to automatically empty the recycle bin. To do so, go to the Storage settings page and click Storage Sense .
Enable the Automatic User content cleanup option. Then, use the drop-down menu under Run Storage Sense to specify how often Windows should run this tool. Use the Recycle Bin drop-down menu to specify how long a file should remain in the Recycle Bin before Storage Sense deletes it.
Method 3: Empty Recycle Bin With Disk Cleanup Utility
Disk Cleanup is a useful Windows tool for removing temporary files from your system . You can also use it to empty the Recycle Bin if the above methods do not work. Here’s how to do it.
Step 1: Click on the search icon on the taskbar, type disk cleanup , and select the first result.
Step 2: Use the drop-down menu to select your primary drive and click OK .
Step 3: Under Files to delete, check the Recycle Bin box. Uncheck everything else and click OK .
Step 4: When a confirmation prompt appears, click Delete Files .
Method 4: Empty the Recycle Bin With Command Prompt
Command Prompt lets you communicate with your computer via text commands. It is a handy tool to perform complicated tasks such as processing batch files, formatting hard drives , and more. Here’s how to use it to empty Recycle Bin on Windows.
Step 1: Right-click on the Start icon and select Terminal (Admin) from the list.
Step 2: Enter the following command to empty the Recycle Bin.
rd /s %systemdrive%$recycle.bin
Step 3: Press Y > Enter to confirm your choice.
Method 5: Empty Recycle Bin Using Windows Powershell
You can also empty files from the Recycle Bin by entering a quick command into the PowerShell window. Here’s how.
Step 1: Open the search menu , type Windows PowerShell , and click Run as Administrator .
Step 2: Paste the following command and press Enter .
Clear-RecycleBin
Step 3: Type Y and press Enter to confirm.
