How to automate your Recycle Bin cleaning?


Are you someone who is tired of manually cleaning the Recycle Bin repeatedly? We all have the habit of deleting our files and sending them to the recycle bin. However, over time, the recycle bin itself can assume a huge size. If you are someone like me who is looking to clean up the recycle bin automatically, this article is for you.

Deleting files manually from the recycle bin has always been a cumbersome process. That would be more so if you have been in a field where you have to create a host of files and then delete them once their need is over. But, deleting a host of files on a daily basis can make the recycle bin grow up in a huge size. I, for one, was looking for the best way to clean the recycle bin on Windows 11 automatically.

There is good news for people like you and me. Windows 11 does let you delete files from the recycle bin automatically. Called Storage Sense, this method comes quite handy in automatically cleaning a recycle bin through a few easy steps.

How to automate recycle bin cleaning on Windows 11?

Windows 11 offers two best and easy-to-use options to help you clean up the recycle bin automatically. One of the methods involves using the default Settings app, whereas the other method consists of using a task Scheduler to help you clean up the recycle bin. We will explore both the methods in the following paragraphs.

Method 1 - Automate recycle bin cleaning using Settings


The method is relatively easy. You just need to head to the default Settings app on your Windows 11 and make a few changes in the settings. That's it, and Windows will clean up your recycle bin following some calculations and algorithms of its own.

Follow the steps here below -
  • Open the Settings app on your Windows 11. You can do this by clicking on the START menu and searching for Settings. You may even use the keyboard shortcut Windows key+I.
  • On the left pane, select the System tab.
  • Scroll down to Storage.
  • recycle setting
  • You should find several storage management options under this section. Locate the toggle switch beside Storage Sense.toggle storage sense
    This option is used to let Windows remove the files that are no longer needed.
  • Once the Storage Sense has been enabled, click on the arrow next to it. This will give you access to Storage Sense options.
  • Locate the option for Delete files in my recycle bin if they have been there for over. Click on the drop-down arrow beside the option and select the duration after which you want Windows to delete the files from the Recycle Bin.
  • You can configure the duration from One day, 14 days, 30 days, and 60 days. 30 days is the default option. You may also choose Never as well. But, since we do want to automate recycle bin cleaning after specific internal, we will choose among the specific days' options.
  • set duration
Once you are done with setting it up, close the Settings window.

From now on, Windows 11 will clean up the files in the recycle bin as per the duration you have configured.

Method 2 - Automate recycle bin cleaning using task Scheduler


The Storage Sense option on Windows 11 uses a predefined algorithm and calculations to clean up the recycle bin. You do not have much control over the process. If you are looking to have more control over your recycle bin cleaning, you can use the Task Scheduler option to automate recycle bin cleaning on Windows 11.

Follow the steps below -
  • Launch the RUN dialog box using Windows+ R key.
  • Type in taskschd.msc in the RUN dialog box. This will open the Task SSceduler window.
  • run dialog box
  • On the left hand side, click on task Scheduler library.
  • task scheduler library
  • On the right hand panel, click on Create Basis Task. This will open a new window, where you can enter your requisite settings
  • create task
  • Enter a name for your task. Add a description if you want and click on Next.
  • The next screen will ask you to configure the frequency of the task. Configure the start day and then configure Recur every to specify the duration of each task. Click on Next.
  • set schedule
  • Now, you need to configure the action, indicating what you want Windows to do as part of this task. Select Start a Program and click on Next
  • start a program style=
  • In the Program/script box, type in C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe. In the Add Arguments section, type the following command - /c "echo Y|PowerShell.exe -NoProfile -Command Clear-RecycleBin".
  • enter command
  • In the next step, review your settings and changes, and click on Finish to complete your task scheduling.
  • finish task scheduling
That does it. You have successfully created the task. From now on, Windows 11 will automatically delete the files from your recycle bin at the durations that you have set.

The Closing Thoughts


Cleaning the recycle bin at regular intervals is extremely essential for keeping your computer working smoothly. But, manually cleaning your recycle bin is a cumbersome and challenging process. It may also be quite time-consuming. But, thankfully, Windows does provide you with a more accessible option to help you automate recycle bin cleaning with ease.
You can use either the Storage Sense or Task Scheduler option for automating the recycle bin cleaning. While Storage Sense is an easier option, Task Scheduler offers you granular control over the task.


Comments

No responses found. Be the first to comment...


  • Do not include your name, "with regards" etc in the comment. Write detailed comment, relevant to the topic.
  • No HTML formatting and links to other web sites are allowed.
  • This is a strictly moderated site. Absolutely no spam allowed.
  • Name:
    Email:
    -