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How to change the storage size of the Recycle Bin in Windows 11

This post shows students and new users the steps to change or resize the maximum size of the Recycle Bin for each volume in Windows 11. Windows automatically assigns a maximum size for the Recycle Bin on each volume, by default.

Every time you delete something in Windows, it goes to the Recycle Bin. Anything that was deleted stays in the Recycle Bin until you manually empty it or reach its default maximum size, at which point Windows deletes the oldest files to make room for the new ones.

Computers with multiple hard drives or partitions will each have their own Recycle Bin settings. The settings are stored as a hidden system folder named “$ RECYCLE.BIN” at the root of each volume.

In many cases, the default size of the Recycle Bin will be fine. However, if you delete a ton of files and folders regularly, and the Recycle Bin is usually full, the oldest items will be deleted automatically. If these are items that you want to restore, you may never get them back.

If you want to keep as many items as possible in the Recycle Bin without worrying about them being automatically deleted due to the size limit, you may want to adjust the maximum size of the Recycle Bin, and the steps below show you how. Do that.

The new Windows 11 comes packed with many new features with a new user desktop, including centered Start menu and taskbar, rounded corner windows, themes and colors that will make any Windows look and feel modern.

If you’re excited about Windows 11, keep reading posts about it.

To start adjusting the maximum size of the Recycle Bin in Windows 11, follow the steps below.

How to change the maximum size of the recycle bin

As mentioned above, Windows automatically assigns the maximum size of the recycle bin. In most cases, normal users shouldn’t adjust the settings and they should be good. However, you can increase or decrease the size of the recycle bin at any time.

To adjust the maximum size of the Recycle Bin, right-click the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop, then select Properties in the context menu as shown below.

You can also access the Properties settings by opening the Recycle Bin and selecting the ellipse (three dots in the toolbar menu), and select Properties.

In the Recycle Bin Properties window, you will see each volume listed. If you only have one volume, you will only see it. If you have multiple volumes, you will see all of them listed. Select the volume you want to resize for, and then type a specific size in MB in the “Custom size” countryside. Click OK to save your settings and you’re done.

For those who prefer items to be deleted immediately rather than setting them in the Recycle Bin, they can choose the option that says “Do not move files to the Recycle Bin. Delete files immediately when deleted

Additional settings can be enabled from property windows such as “Display Delete Confirmation Dialog” before deleting or emptying the Recycle Bin. These are all good settings and can be configured in the Recycle Bin properties windows.

That should be enough!

Conclusion:

In this tutorial we have seen how to adjust the maximum size of the Recycle Bin. If you find any errors above or have something to add, please use our comment form below.

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