How to disable or bypass Recycle Bin in Windows 8 and 8.1 [Guide]

The recycle bin has existed as long as Windows has, which is a very long time. It’s a very good application and it exists for a very good reason: for you to restore accidentally deleted files. That being said, some people really dislike the Windows recycle bin. This how-to will show you how to easily disable the Windows 8.1 recycle bin.

BEFORE WE BEGIN

If you’ve changed your mind and want to re-enable the recycle-bin, go to the “How To Re-Enable The Windows 8/8.1.1 Recycle Bin” part of this guide.

BYPASSING THE RECYCLE BIN

Make your way to your Windows 8/8.1 desktop.
Find the recycle bin icon on your desktop and right click on it and click the properties option.
After clicking the properties option, a very small window will open called ‘Recycle Bin Properties’.
Inside the Recycle Bin Properties window, find the option called ‘Don’t move files to the Recycle Bin. Remove files immediately when deleted’ and click the radio button enabling it.
Once the option has been enabled, click the ‘Apply’ button and close the window.
Finished! You’ve successfully bypassed the Windows 8/8.1 Recycle Bin!

DISABLING THE RECYCLE BIN ICON ON YOUR DESKTOP

Navigate to your Windows 8/8.1 desktop and right click on it with your mouse.
In the menu that pops up on your desktop, find the option called ‘personalize’.
Take a look at the personalize window that has just popped up. On the left-hand side of that window look for the option called ‘Change desktop icons’ and click on it.
Once you’ve clicked on the ‘Change desktop icons’ option, you’ll see a box pop up showing several Windows icons that you can choose to disable.
Uncheck the box next to the recycle bin icon to disable it from showing up on your desktop.
That’s it! The recycle-bin icon has been disabled on your Windows 8.1 desktop!

REVERT FROM BYPASSING THE RECYCLE BIN

Make your way to your Windows 8/8.1 desktop.
Find the recycle bin icon on your desktop and right click on it and click the properties option.
After clicking the properties option, a very small window will open called ‘Recycle Bin Properties’.
Inside the Recycle Bin Properties window, find the option called ‘Custom size’ and click the radio button enabling it.
Once the option has been enabled, click the ‘Apply’ button and close the window.
Finished! You’ve successfully bypassed the Windows 8.1 Recycle Bin!

RE-ENABLE THE RECYCLE BIN ICON ON YOUR DESKTOP

Navigate to your Windows 8/8.1 desktop and right click on it with your mouse.
In the menu that pops up on your desktop, find the option called ‘personalize’.
Take a look at the personalize window that has just popped up. On the left-hand side of that window look for the option called ‘Change desktop icons’ and click on it.
Once you’ve clicked on the ‘Change desktop icons’ option, you’ll see a box pop up showing several Windows icons that you can choose to disable.
Check the box next to the recycle bin icon to enable it on your desktop.That’s it! The recycle-bin icon has been re-enabled on your Windows 8.1 desktop!

CONCLUSION

Though disabling the recycle bin is desired by some, we can’t recommend it for everyone as it serves a very important purpose in Windows. Still, disabling the recycle bin can be very attractive to power users that don’t want or need what the recycle bin brings to the table.

[via maketecheasier]