Registry Hack: Remove The Recycle Bin Icon From Your Desktop
Written by Saman Sadeghi on July 19, 2007 Add comments
The digitalnomad recently asked me if it was possible to remove the Recycle Bin from the Desktop, it is possible with a simple Registry Hack!
As always, please read this important information on editing the System Registry.
How To
- Hit the Windows Key+R, type regedit into the run dialog and hit OK.
- Now that you’re in the the Registry, navigate to this key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\
CurrentVersion\Explorer\Desktop\NameSpace - Under NameSpace, right-click the {645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E} key and click “Delete”.
The changes will be immediate (if not, you may need to restart the machine).
Optional
Now, you really should export the key. This way, if you want to replace the Recycle Bin, you can!
Instead of clicking “Delete”, click “Export” and save the key in a safe place.
Help!
If you didn’t save the key and you want it back, follow these instructions:
- navigate to this key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\
CurrentVersion\Explorer\Desktop\NameSpace - Right-click on NameSpace, click “New” and then click “Key”
- Name the new key:
{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E} - Close the Registry and the Recycle Bin will appear!
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Thanks Saman. I am going to give this a shot. You are too cool for school.
Saman-
Here is another option to “hide” the recycle bin icon without deleting it, or messing with the registry. It is called Tweak, and you can use it to hide desktop icons. I think it is a nice alternative to easily bring desktop icons back. Just follow the very simple instructions.
http://www.annoyances.org/exec/show/tweakui
I was a regular user of TweakUI, but I love hacking the registry - I think it’s more fun!
Vista gives you the option of just removing it altogether without any hacks or whatever. Problem is…you have to install Vista.
That’s a problem for me as I eventually want to get away from MS and have no plans to install Vista.
That’s the goal for me too, I just need Linux to mature just a little bit more…
Or if you just don’t want any icons on your desktop, just right click -> arrange icons by -> uncheck “Show desktop icons”
And for a good prank, take a screenshot of a friend’s desktop, with icons, set that as the wallpaper, then remove desktop icons :$ lol.
Anyway, is there anyway to recover items deleted from the recycle bin? Or if you do the skip the recycle bin thing, is there a way to recover those files? Just wondering, because of there is then I think I’ll remove my bin too.
Yes, there is a way to do this. I am going to write a post on it next week in my series on MS replacements at Digital Nomads site.
I will come back and leave a link here, if I remember to do so.
That’s too easy…I like it though.
That was going to be my next tip - although, that would remove the Recycle Bin!
Go for it Saman…I will follow your lead. Could be two different (or more) solutions.
[...] Saman Sadeghi shows you how to remove the Recycle Bin icon from your desktop. [...]
Nice… i think it is posssible to do any trick with windows… but I like my bin on desktop so I keep it.
Dine, that’s what this site is all about! Check out my Registry Hacks section!
Why other than a practical joke, would you want to remove the recycling bin icon from the desk top?
to make it look tidy.
here’s mine right now:
My Desktop
And no I don’t use desktop shortcuts. I like keyboard shortcuts (built in or ctrl+R) better since I don’t have to switch over to the mouse
Now that is a clean desktop.
As long as we’re showing off our desktops, here’s my desktop!
Does that say “My Safe”?
*Wonders what’s in it*
Actually, nothing - it’s part of an encryption suite that came with my machine that I don’t use, I need to delete it….
Do you know how to get rid of that My Safe for all users on the computer?
thanks,
It does look much cleaner than mine..keyboard shortcuts are great to use when you get used to them.
You can do it easily by going to gpedit
I am afraid you need to be a little more explicit on that comment there about “gpedit”. Any posts, instructions, etc.?
Well I’ll post more about it on my blog shortly…
[...] Haris shows you how to How to restore Recycle Bin after deleting - you would use this tip after you’ve Remove The Recycle Bin Icon From Your Desktop [...]