How to Automatically Empty the Recycle Bin in Windows 11

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Schedule Recycle Bin in Windows 11

You can use Windows 11’s Storage Sense feature to delete files from the Recycle Bin automatically. This feature allows you to schedule the deletion of a variety of files on your computer, including downloaded and trashed files.

1. To begin, press the Windows + I key combination to launch the Settings Windows application.
2. Click the ‘System’ item in the Settings interface that appears.
3. Scroll down to ‘Storage’ on the ‘System’ page.
4. Click ‘Storage Sense’ under ‘Storage Management’ on the ‘Storage’ screen.
5. ‘Automatic User Content Cleanup’ is an option under ‘Storage Sense.’ To use the Storage Sense feature, check this box.
6. On this page, select the timeline you want the feature to run for from the ‘Run Storage Sense’ drop-down menu. Choose from options such as ‘Every Day,’ ‘Every Week,’ ‘Every Month,’ or ‘When Free Disk Space Is Low.’
7. Then, select an option from the ‘Delete Files in My Recycle Bin if They Have Been There for Over’ drop-down menu to determine how long a file will stay in the Recycle Bin before Storage Sense deletes it. ‘Never,’ ‘1 Day,’ ’14 Days,’ ’30 Days,’ and ’60 Days’ are among the options available.

Note: Storage Sense has an impact on other files on your computer, including downloaded files. Make sure you adjust Storage Sense’s file handling accordingly on the Storage Sense page.

Scroll to the bottom of the ‘Storage Sense’ page and click ‘Run Storage Sense Now’ to activate Storage Sense right away.

The trash will be automatically emptied by Storage Sense at the interval you specify.

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