How to Find and Replace the Recycle Bin in Windows Vista After Deleting it
Blair Mathis
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It seems that there's always something up with Windows that users confused. Be it the command prompt, the endless stream of updates, or, now, the Recycle Bin, there's always something new to be learned. 
With Windows XP, it was impossible to delete the Recycle Bin, even it you wanted to. This caused many people to complain and throw fits, because they wanted a desktop with only certain icons, and the Recycle Bin wasn't one of them.
With Vista, Windows met the demand and changed the options, allowing users to delete the Recycle Bin if they so chose. Now that the option is available, all people do is complain that it is an unnecessary complication.
No matter which way you view it, if you're reading this article, the odds are you've accidentally deleted your Recycle Bin, and now you don't know how to get it back. If that's the case, read on. Below is the simple, yet hidden method needed to restore your Recycle Bin back to your desk.
Step 1: This should go without saying, but be sure that you are actually using Vista. If you are using XP and your icon some how disappeared, right click on the screen, go to 'view', and choose 'show desktop icons'.
If you are using Vista, then this won't work, so read..
Step 2: Navigate to the Control Panel by going to Start > Control Panel. Choose Personalize from the menu - the icons are arranged alphabetically, so simply follow them until you come across the right one.
Step 3: Doubt-click the Personalize option and wait for the dialogue box to appear. Once it does, look to the left side of the box. There should be a few options towards the top. The first one will say 'choose desktop icons'. Select that.
Step 4: In the next box that appears, you will see a few different options with check boxes next to them My Computer, Control Panel, Recycle Bin, etc. Place a check mark in the box under Recycle Bin. Now choose the Apply button at the bottom.
Step 5: Close all of the boxes down and look at your desktop. You should see the Recycle Bin. If you don't, try rearranging your icons by name (right click > arrange icons > name), and then follow them alphabetically until you reach the 'r's. You should see it there.
With Windows XP, it was impossible to delete the Recycle Bin, even it you wanted to. This caused many people to complain and throw fits, because they wanted a desktop with only certain icons, and the Recycle Bin wasn't one of them.
With Vista, Windows met the demand and changed the options, allowing users to delete the Recycle Bin if they so chose. Now that the option is available, all people do is complain that it is an unnecessary complication.
No matter which way you view it, if you're reading this article, the odds are you've accidentally deleted your Recycle Bin, and now you don't know how to get it back. If that's the case, read on. Below is the simple, yet hidden method needed to restore your Recycle Bin back to your desk.
Step 1: This should go without saying, but be sure that you are actually using Vista. If you are using XP and your icon some how disappeared, right click on the screen, go to 'view', and choose 'show desktop icons'.
If you are using Vista, then this won't work, so read..
Step 2: Navigate to the Control Panel by going to Start > Control Panel. Choose Personalize from the menu - the icons are arranged alphabetically, so simply follow them until you come across the right one.
Step 3: Doubt-click the Personalize option and wait for the dialogue box to appear. Once it does, look to the left side of the box. There should be a few options towards the top. The first one will say 'choose desktop icons'. Select that.
Step 4: In the next box that appears, you will see a few different options with check boxes next to them My Computer, Control Panel, Recycle Bin, etc. Place a check mark in the box under Recycle Bin. Now choose the Apply button at the bottom.
Step 5: Close all of the boxes down and look at your desktop. You should see the Recycle Bin. If you don't, try rearranging your icons by name (right click > arrange icons > name), and then follow them alphabetically until you reach the 'r's. You should see it there.