Empty the Windows Recycle Bin regularly. That gives more free space on the hard drive.
Garbage can
The Recycle Bin is located on the Desktop, recognizable by a picture of an empty garbage can. Once there are files in it, digital clumps will appear in the Recycle Bin. A handy reminder to determine if emptying is necessary.
Files that are thrown away are never completely gone in Windows. They first end up in the Recycle Bin and remain there until it is virtually emptied. It is a good idea to periodically review the contents of the digital trash can. Files that you prefer to keep can be restored to their previous location. And the rest can go away forever. This frees up some space on the hard drive.
View and empty trash
If you want to be sure not to permanently delete anything by accident, proceed as follows:
- Go to the Desktop.
- Double click on Garbage can.
- An Explorer window opens. The window lists the files from the Recycle Bin.
- Is there something in there that shouldn’t be thrown away? Right-click on the relevant file.
- click on Put back.
- The file will be moved to the location it came from.
- Repeat this until there are only files in the Recycle Bin that can really be deleted.
- Finished? Click at the top Empty the trash. Can’t see that on a Windows 10 PC? First click on Recycle Bin Tools.
- A message will appear asking if the files really should be deleted.
- click on Yes.
- The files are deleted. They are no longer available in Windows.
All gone at once
If you’re sure there’s only real “junk” in the Recycle Bin, do the following:
- Go to the Desktop.
- Right click on the Recycle Bin.
- click on Empty the trash.
- A message will appear asking if the files really should be deleted.
- click on Yes.
- The files are deleted. They are no longer available in Windows.