The mystery of the disappearing recycle bin

December 30, 2007 3:46 AM

Windows Vista Filter: My Recycle Bin has disappeared from my desktop and I can't seem to get it back. I've also have had folders disappear from the desktop as well. Drag it out of a zipped folder for instance, and it won't show on the physical desktop.

If I open up the desktop as a folder, the missing folder shows, but it's still not visible on the desktop. And the recycle bin does not show in the desktop folder. Its gone for good. I can still delete things, but can't drag anything into the bin. Very frustrating.

Dell Vostro 1400
Windows Vista Ultimate
Core 2 duo 2.0gig
2gig Ram

posted by wile e to computers & internet (3 comments total)

This happened to me also. Try "right" clicking anywhere on the desktop. A pop up box with choices includes "personalize". Pick that. A Personalize appearance and sounds box from the control panel will start. Under "Tasks" on the left, there should be a choice called "change desktop icons". Pick that and make sure that the Recycle Bin box is checked. This worked for me. I think that I had previously caused the Recycle Bin to be removed accidently from the Desktop by picking "delete" instead of "empty recycle bin" when I was trying to remove the things that were in there. I hope this helps you.
posted by markwilk at 5:00 AM on December 30, 2007

Mark you are a gentleman and a scholar. I just hate it when it's a simple fix.
posted by wile e at 6:09 AM on December 30, 2007

If you are having troubles with other folders not appearing such as after unzipping something simply right click on the desktop and hit refresh it always show up then for me on vista ultimate.
posted by DJWeezy at 8:43 AM on December 30, 2007