Delete the Recycle Bin Icon from the Desktop in XP/2003

How can I delete the Recycle Bin icon from the desktop in Windows XP/2003?

To delete the Recycle Bin icon from the Windows XP/2003 desktop follow these steps:

• Open Registry Editor.
• In Registry Editor, navigate to the following registry key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Desktop\NameSpace

• Find the following key:

{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}

• Delete the above key.

Note: As always, before making changes to your registry you should always make sure you have a valid backup. In cases where you‘re supposed to delete or modify keys or values from the registry it is possible to first export that key or value(s) to a .REG file before performing the changes.

• Close Registry Editor.

There is no need to reboot. Just wait a few seconds and see how the icon disappears from the desktop.

• In order to restore the Recycle Bin icon to the desktop just re-create the missing key (or import it back to the registry in case you‘ve exported it earlier).

In Registry Editor, navigate to the following registry key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Desktop\NameSpace

• Create the following key:

{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}
(just copy/paste, including the brackets).
Done!

Related articles

You might also want to read the following related articles:

• Add Administrative Tools Icon to the Desktop in XP/2003
• Add Command Prompt Here Shortcut to Windows Explorer
• Add Printers and Fax Icon to the Desktop in XP/2003
• Add Scanners and Cameras Icon to the Desktop in XP Pro
• Add Scheduled Tasks Icon to the Desktop in XP/2003
• Add Spell Checking to Internet Explorer
• Change or Add OEM Logo and Information
• Customize a New XP Installation
• Customize Command Prompt in Windows XP/2000/2003
• Customize the Places Bar in Office XP
• Disable Shared Documents Folder in Windows XP
• Microsoft Powertoys Suit
• Quickly Search Active Directory from the Desktop
• Quickly Share Folders from Desktop
• Restore Classic Search in Windows XP
• Send To Notepad Shortcut
• Shell Enhancements and other Tweaks for Windows XP/2000/2003
• Unhide Recycle Bin when Dragging and Dropping Files

Links

Rename or Delete Special Folders