Guide: Fix ‘Recycle Bin Is Grayed out’ Issue on Windows 10 PC
The Recycle Bin acts as a failsafe for when you delete a file or folder and need to restore it. Whether you accidentally deleted it or need to take another look, the trash can is there to save the day. That is until you cannot access it because the Recycle Bin is grayed out on the Windows 10 computer. That will lead to a series of issues like you can’t empty the recycle bin, can’t access the recycle bin or recover deleted files / folders and can’t access the recycle bin settings because they are also grayed out. We are here to help. Let’s start.
1. Add the Recycle Bin icon again
Right-click anywhere on the desktop to select Personalization.
Select Themes from the sidebar in the settings window that opens, scroll a bit and click on Desktop icon settings here.
Here, uncheck the Recycle Bin option and save everything. Now select it again and save it again. Check if the trash can icon is now grayed out on the desktop.
2. Reboot
Restarting your Windows 10 computer can fix many common and minor errors like the one you are currently facing. I would recommend that you also update your operating system while you’re at it. Press Windows Key + I to open Settings and click on Updates & Security.
You can check for, download and install updates here.
Once done, reboot and check if the recycle bin is now greyed out or not.
3. Empty the recycle bin
If you are concerned that someone will be able to access files / folders you just deleted, there is another way to empty the trash. Open Settings and click Storage under System.
The computer takes some time to calculate storage resources, after which you must click the Temporary files option.
Here, select Recycle Bin along with another option that you think you should delete and click Delete Files at the top of the list.
4. Administrator account
Does your user account have administrator rights? If in doubt, ask your system administrator. If you are an individual, switch to the administrator account now if you are using a guest user account. If you are still facing the same issue where the recycle bin is grayed out, create a new user account with administrator privileges. Open Settings again and go to Accounts> Family & other users. Select Add someone else to this PC.
Click on I don’t have this person’s login details.
Click Add a user without a Microsoft account.
Then follow the onscreen instructions to create a new account and make sure to give administrator rights. Once done, restart your computer once and log in with the new account. Double check if the recycle bin is gray or not.
5. Third Party Apps
Are you using Rainmeter to manage and access the recycle bin? Several users reported accessibility problems as a result. Disable the app once and see if the problem is solved or not. Disable or delete any other app you are using to replace or manage the recycle bin. Have you recently installed an app or maybe updated an old app that might be causing a conflict? Most of the time, that shouldn’t be a problem when it comes to the trash can, but if in doubt, do a clean boot to find out.
6. Recycle bin damaged
Files, folders and even system apps can get damaged at any time. Some common reasons are malware, viruses and non-systematic or instant shutdown. I wrote another detailed guide on how to fix corrupted recycle bin issue some time ago. See.
7. Registry Editor
Press the Windows + R keyboard shortcut to open the Run prompt and type regedit before hitting Enter.
Zoom in on the folder structure below. HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionPoliciesNonEnum In my case, the NonEnum folder does not exist, and if it does, skip this step. If not, you should see a DWORD file named: {645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E} If not, right-click anywhere in the right pane and create a DWORD 32-bit file with the name above. Don’t forget the braces.
Double-click the file to open it and set the hexadecimal value to 0.
Save everything and then go to the folder structure below. HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionPoliciesNonEnum Double check the file name above. If not there, create one with the same name and set the same value for it. Save everything and check if the recycle bin is greyed out or you can access it now.
8. Group Policy Editor
GP Editor is only available in Windows Pro and Enterprise editions. If you are on the Home edition, skip this step. Open the Run prompt again like you did before and type gpedit.msc before hitting Enter.
Navigate to User Configuration> Administrative Templates> Desktop and look for a file named Delete Recycle Bin icon from desktop in the right pane.
Double-click the file to open it and set its status to Enabled.
Save everything and check again if the trash can is visible or grayed out.
Recycle it
Recycling waste, be it files and folders or plastic, is a healthy habit. It reduces wasted storage space, keeps the drive uncluttered and provides a failsafe in case of accidental erasure. The Recycle Bin is a great little app, but only as long as it works. Did you know that pressing the Shift key when deleting a file / folder causes the Recycle Bin to be skipped? It will be deleted forever.
Fix ‘Recycle Bin Is Grayed out’ Issue on Windows 10 PC: benefits
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