What happens when you delete the recycle bin? (2024)

Is the data really deleted? If so, why are there programs that promise to recover deleted files? Then let’s find out what happens when we empty our recycle bin

are they deleted?

What happens when you delete the recycle bin? (2)

Currently, there are two dominant technologies for information storage: Hard Disk Drive (HDD) and Solid State Drives (SDD). On a technical level, they behave differently. To inquire about their advantages and disadvantages is a topic for another article. I’m going to focus on the management of the operating system for the end-user, it doesn’t matter if it is Linux, Windows, or macOS, because they all work in a very similar way in handling deleted files

The short answer is that when you delete the recycle bin absolutely nothing happens to your files, only one thing happens, the operating system stops indexing your files as available information. Those files are simply hidden from the user.

There is an index called Master File Table (MFT), the operating system uses it to search for a file within the system and check its availability. Emptying the recycle bin frees up the storage space occupied by those files, so in the future it simply overwrites the information in that same index. Thus, a deleted file can last invisibly for days, weeks, or months on your computer until the operating system wants to occupy it with a new one.

There is a reason for this, not an evil whim of the developers. Deleting or rewriting is a very demanding process for storage systems that’s why the OS prefers to simply remove it from your view. Fun fact, that’s why copying a file takes longer than deleting it.

So, is it possible to recover a file?

What happens when you delete the recycle bin? (3)

Recovering a deleted file is not available by default on operating systems for security reasons. But there is a possibility to recover them with programs like Recuva or Disk Drill Data Recovery. These are tools that can partially or completely re-index deleted files.

Now, if your intention is to completely erase your files because you do not want anyone to recover those files, you will have to download specialized software, although this could cause damage to the storage hardware. The best way to prevent anyone from accessing the information on your hard drive is to encrypt it.

What happens when you delete the recycle bin? (2024)

FAQs

What happens if you delete the Recycle Bin? ›

It is not technically "deleted." Although the operating system can't find it anymore, a copy of it is still accessible through your hard drive. Depending on your hardware, the data stored on your hard drive can either remain intact or in smaller pieces if a user tries to retrieve them after some time.

Is emptying the Recycle Bin a good idea? ›

Cleaning out your recycle bin opens up space on your hard drive and helps your computer run faster and more efficiently. So, the bottom line is that you should take out the trash in a timely manner.

Is it safe to delete contents of Recycle Bin? ›

Yes, it is safe to delete files in the Recycle Bin on each drive. The purpose is to hold files you delete for your review, so once again, you deleted the files and if you do not need them, it is safe to delete the files. This will not harm Windows in any way.

Where do files go after deleted from the Recycle Bin? ›

Once purged from the Recycle Bin, the deleted files are rendered inaccessible through Windows File Explorer but are still stored on the storage device they were deleted from. They are then allowed to be overwritten by new data.

Can you get files back after emptying the Recycle Bin? ›

In a word, yes. When the Windows operating system deletes an item, it does not physically remove it from your storage media. Though you can't see or access the data, it can be recovered even after you empty the Recycle Bin.

Is it okay to delete bin files? ›

If it is outside of C:\Windows, then it is safe to delete. It might belong to a program which obviously won't work after you delete the bin file, but you won't cause irrepairable problems on OS level. If it IS in C:\Windows, you should leave it there.

Does the Recycle Bin take up space? ›

The Recycle Bin is where your deleted files go since they're not actually deleted for good. Instead, they're marked for deletion and placed in the Recycle Bin. That gives you some time to restore the files if you mistakenly deleted one, but it can take up a lot of space if files are left to pile up in there.

Can I remove the Recycle Bin? ›

On the Personalization Settings window, choose "Themes" in the left panel. Then, click "Desktop icon settings" under "Related Settings". Step 3. To remove or hide Recycle Bin from desktop, uncheck the "Recycle Bin" box and click "Apply".

Does putting a foul in the Recycle Bin permanently delete it from your computer? ›

Final answer:

Putting a file in the recycling bin does not permanently delete it. The recycling bin serves as a temporary storage location for deleted files, allowing users to recover them before they are permanently removed from the system.

Are deleted files permanently deleted from the Recycle Bin? ›

Normally when we delete a file, it will go to the recycle bin. And after emptying the recycle bin, we think, it is removed from our computer permanently. Not at all! Even you emptying the recycle bin, it still exist in your computer so that some data recovery software can help to reocover the files.

Are deleted files ever really gone? ›

When you permanently delete a file, the storage drive makes its space available for new data. However, the file is not deleted. It remains on the hard drive; only the file pointers get deleted. (The File pointer shows you where the file exists and keeps track of it being accessed.)

How do you permanently delete files so they cannot be recovered? ›

#1. Download Reliable File Shredder Software to Permanently Delete Files so They Can't Be Restored. You must wipe and erase your computer to eliminate files from your PC or laptop without recovery. In this way, data that has been irreversibly erased can no longer be recovered.

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