If the default trash bin size is too big or too small, you can quickly change the recycle bin size in Windows 10 with just a few clicks. Here’s how.
Every time you delete a file or folder, it is automatically moved to the recycle bin. Moving to the recycle bin is very helpful as it allows you to restore the deleted file as and when needed. To make sure the recycle bin is not filling up your hard disk with deleted files or folders, it is limited by design in terms of how much space it can utilize.
In every partition, Windows dynamically reserves 5 to 15 percent of the space for the recycle bin. Since the storage space is allocated dynamically, the recycle bin will only occupy as much space as it needs in that available 5 to 15 percent of the partition size. Once the recycle bin reaches its allocated capacity, it will delete old files to make room for new ones.
For a vast majority of Windows users, the default recycle bin size is sufficient. However, if you think the recycle bin is using a lot of disk space, you can reduce the recycle bin size. Conversely, you can also increase the recycle bin size to fit more deleted files. Put simply, you can change the recycle bin size however you want.
In this quick and simple guide, let me show you the steps to change the recycle bin size in Windows 10. Of course, the steps shown below will also work in Windows 7, 8, and 8.1.
Steps to change recycle bin size
To change the recycle bin size, follow the steps below.
- Minimize all windows to go to the desktop.
- Right-click on the recycle bin icon.
- Select the “Properties” option.
- Now, select the partition under “Recycle bin location”.
- Next, select the “Custom size” radio option.
- Enter the new size in MBs (Megabytes) in the custom size field.
- Click “Apply” & “Ok” buttons.
Detailed steps
You can change the size of the recycle bin from its properties. It is pretty easy to do.
1. First, go to your desktop. To do that, click on the little button to the right-most side of the taskbar. You can also do that by minimizing all the Windows.
2. Once you are on the desktop, right-click on the Recycle Bin icon and select the “Properties” option. If you can’t see the icon, first, unhide the recycle bin icon.
3. As I said in the introduction, the recycle bin allocates separate space for each partition. So, select the partition for which you want to change the recycle bin size. In my case, I want to modify the trash size of the D drive. So, I selected it.
4. Now, select the “Custom Size” option. Next, enter the space you want to reserve in MBs (Megabytes) in the field next to it. In my case, I increased it by 1GB or so (1000 MB).
If you are decreasing the recycle bin size, make sure it is no less than 5% of the partition size. Otherwise, it might cause unnecessary problems.
5. Finally, click on the “Apply” and “Ok” buttons to save the changes.
That is all. From now on, the recycle bin size will be of the new size set in the configuration. As I said before, Windows allots the space to the recycle bin dynamically. That means the recycle bin will only use as much space as it needs. It will not occupy any more than that. If you are worried that the recycle bin is using up all the space, you can enable Storage Sense to periodically clear or empty the recycle bin automatically.
I hope that helps. If you are stuck or need some help, comment below and I will try to help as much as possible.
