How to stop Recycle Bin automatically remove files in Windows 11 PC

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In this tutorial we will learn How to stop Recycle Bin automatically remove files in Windows 11 PC

So, Let’s go

By default, Windows 11 is configured to automatically remove files from the Recycle Bin after a certain period of time, typically 30 days. However, if you want to stop the Recycle Bin from automatically removing files, you can follow these steps:

  1. Right-click on the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop and select “Properties”.
  2. In the Recycle Bin Properties window, you will see a section called “Settings”. Here, you can adjust the settings for each of your drives individually or you can select “Don’t move files to the Recycle Bin. Remove files immediately when deleted” option to completely disable the Recycle Bin for all drives.
  3. To change the settings for a specific drive, select the drive from the list and then select “Custom size” option.
  4. In the “Custom size” section, uncheck the “Automatically manage the size of the Recycle Bin” checkbox.
  5. You can now adjust the maximum size of the Recycle Bin for that drive or select the “Don’t move files to the Recycle Bin” option to completely disable the Recycle Bin for that drive.
  6. Once you have made the changes, click “Apply” and then “OK” to save the new settings. This should prevent the Recycle Bin from automatically removing files from your computer.

2. Tutorial with images

1. Disable Storage Sense in Windows 11 & 10

If you prefer to manually perform disk clean up and optimization activities on the computer, you can simply turn OFF Storage Sense feature on your computer.

Windows 11: Go to Settings > System > Storage > move the toggle next to Storage Sense to OFF position.

Disable Storage Sense Option in Windows 11

Windows 10: Go to Settings > System > Storage > move the toggle next to Storage Sense to OFF position.

Disable Storage Sense Option in Windows 10

After this, any file that you delete on the computer should be available in the Recycle Bin.

2. Prevent Storage Sense from Deleting Recycle Bin Files

It also possible to allow Storage Sense to Run on the computer, while preventing it from automatically clearing the Recycle Bin.

Windows 11: Go to Settings > System > Storage > scroll down and click on Storage Sense in the right-pane.

Storage Sense Settings Option in Windows 11

On the next screen, set Delete files in my recycle bin…. option to Never.

Never Clear Recycle Bin Option in Windows 11

Windows 10: Go to Settings > System > Storage and click on Change how we free up space automatically option in the right-pane.

Change Storage Sense Automatic Options in Windows 10

On the next screen, set Delete files in my recycle bin option to Never.

Prevent Storage Sense From Clearing Recycle Bin

After this, Deleted Files will always be available in the Recycle Bin, until the Recycle Bin is manually cleared by the user.