Rename the Recycle Bin via Windows Registry

Renaming the Recycle Bin in Windows is not something you can do from the right-click menu, but you can change its display name by editing the Windows Registry. This guide walks you through the exact steps to rename the Recycle Bin to whatever you want, like “Trash” or “Deleted Files.” Before you start, make sure you are logged in with an administrator account, and create a system restore point or back up the registry in case something goes wrong.

What You’ll Need

• A Windows PC (Windows 10 or Windows 11)
• Administrator account access
• A moment to create a restore point (recommended)

Step-by-Step

1. Open the Registry Editor. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog, type regedit, and press Enter. If the User Account Control prompt appears, click Yes.
2. Back up the registry (recommended). In Registry Editor, click File > Export. Choose a location, name the file (e.g., registry-backup.reg), make sure “All” is selected under Export range, and click Save. This lets you restore everything if something goes wrong.
3. Navigate to the Recycle Bin registry key. In the left sidebar, expand folders in this order: HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT > CLSID > {645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}. This long string is the unique identifier for the Recycle Bin.
4. Open the default value. In the right pane, you will see a value named (Default). Double-click it to open the Edit String dialog.
5. Change the value data. In the “Value data” field, type the new name you want for the Recycle Bin (for example, Trash). Leave the “Value name” as (Default). Click OK.
6. Close Registry Editor. Click OK if prompted, then close the window.
7. Restart Explorer or sign out. To see the change immediately, right-click the taskbar and select Task Manager. Find “Windows Explorer” in the list, right-click it, and choose Restart. Alternatively, sign out and back in, or restart your PC.
8. Verify the new name. Look at the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop. It should now display the name you entered. If the icon name does not update, press F5 on the desktop or right-click the desktop and select Refresh.

Common Mistakes

• Typing the CLSID incorrectly. The key path must be exactly {645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}. A missing brace or a wrong character will lead you to the wrong folder or no folder at all.
• Editing the wrong value. You must change the (Default) value, not any other value in the right pane. Some users accidentally modify “InfoTip” or “LocalizedString,” which does not rename the icon.
• Forgetting to restart Explorer. The name change does not appear until Windows Explorer refreshes. If you skip the restart, the old name stays visible.
• Not backing up first. If you delete or corrupt the key, the Recycle Bin may disappear or behave oddly. Always export the registry before editing.

Tips

• Use a simple name. Avoid special characters like /, \, or : in the name, as they can cause display issues on the desktop.
• You can also change the icon tooltip. To change the text that appears when you hover over the Recycle Bin, edit the InfoTip value in the same registry key. It works the same way as the default value.
• Rename it back anytime. To revert, follow the same steps and set the default value back to Recycle Bin (or leave it empty – Windows will show the default name).
• Works on both Windows 10 and 11. The registry path is identical in both versions, so these steps apply to either.
• Use a restore point as a safety net. Before making any registry change, create a system restore point via Control Panel > System > System Protection. This gives you an easy rollback option.

Troubleshooting

• I can’t find the CLSID folder. Make sure you are looking under HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT, not HKEY_CURRENT_USER or HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE. The key is at the root of that hive. If it’s missing entirely, you may have a corrupted shell configuration – run sfc /scannow in an elevated Command Prompt to repair system files.
• The name changed but the desktop icon still shows the old name. Press F5 on the desktop or restart Explorer again. If it still doesn’t update, sign out and sign back in.
• I get an error when opening the default value. This usually means the key is corrupted or you don’t have permission. Right-click the {645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E} key, select Permissions, and ensure your account has Full Control. If not, click Advanced and take ownership.
• The Recycle Bin disappeared entirely. If you accidentally deleted the key, restore from your registry backup by double-clicking the .reg file you exported. If you didn’t make a backup, you can recreate the key manually, but it’s safer to use System Restore to roll back to a point before the change.
• Changes work but revert after a reboot. This can happen if a group policy or third-party customization tool resets the name. Check if you have any desktop customization software running, and disable it temporarily to test.
• I see “Recycle Bin” in File Explorer but not on the desktop. The registry change affects the desktop icon name. The name shown in File Explorer’s navigation pane is controlled by a different string (usually the localized one). To change that too, edit the LocalizedString value in the same key, but leave the default value as is.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is it safe to rename the Recycle Bin?
A: Yes, it’s a cosmetic change. The Recycle Bin still functions exactly the same, and you can rename it back anytime by following the same steps.

Q: Do I need to restart my PC after the change?
A: No, a full restart is not required. Restarting Windows Explorer (via Task Manager) or signing out and back in is enough to see the new name.

Q: Can I rename the Recycle Bin without the registry?
A: No, Windows does not provide a built-in right-click option to rename the Recycle Bin. The registry method is the standard way to do it.

Q: Will renaming the Recycle Bin affect where deleted files go?
A: No, the rename only changes the display name. Deleted files still go to the same hidden folder, and you can restore them normally.

Q: What if I want to rename it to something with spaces?
A: Spaces are fine. Just type the name with spaces in the value data field, for example My Trash.

Q: Does this work on all editions of Windows?
A: The registry key exists in Windows 10 and 11 Home, Pro, and Enterprise editions. The steps are the same across all of them.

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