Recycle Bin Desktop Icon Missing from Desktop
June 7, 2007 2 Comments
Windows XP Recycle Bin Desktop Icon is missing from the user’s desktop. The most likely cause of this is malware utilizing Group Policy Objects which enforces policies for system settings and/or user account(s) settings. The Group Policy for Remove My Documents icon from the desktop will cause the Recycle Bin Desktop Icon to be restricted/disabled from the user’s desktop when enabled.
Group Policies are typically applied at businesses to control access to programs, system properties, and user account settings. For Home users, Recycle Bin Desktop Icon can be restricted/disabled (greyed out) by these Group Policies but usually malware is the culprit. If you are a home user and the Recycle Bin Desktop Icon is missing from your desktop then there is a good chance you are infected with malware.
NOTE
Ensure your computer is malware free before applying the following solutions.
CAUTION
Before making any changes to the Windows XP Registry, please backup your Windows XP Registry using the direction from "Using ERUNT to back up the Windows XP Registry".
Manual Steps Using Group Policy Editor
NOTE
The Group Policy Editor requires Administrative privileges and is only available for Windows XP Professional Edition. Windows XP Home users can use the Windows XP Registry method to remove the Group Policy restriction.
- Click Start and then Run.
- Type gpedit.msc in the Run dialog box.
- Press ENTER on your keyboard.
- In the Group Policy Editor navigate to:
User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Desktop
- Double-click Remove Recycle Bin icon on the desktop.
- Select Not Configured.
NOTE
If the Recycle Bin Desktop Icon is missing from a user’s desktop on a per User account basis then the above method will not work, you will need to use the Registry Editor to remove the Group Policy.
Manual Steps Using Windows XP Registry
- Click Start and then Run.
- Type regedit.exe in the Run dialog box.
- Press ENTER on your keyboard.
- Navigate to:
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\NonEnum
- Right-click {645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E} to select Modify.
- Change the value to 0.
- Navigate to:
HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\NonEnum
- Right-click {645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E} to select Modify.
- Change the value to 0.
- Quit the Registry Editor (Regedit.exe).
NOTE
You may need to log off then log on to your user account or restart your computer for the changes to take affect.
Manual Steps Using REG ADD
- Open a Command Window.
- Type:
REG ADD "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\NonEnum" /v {645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E} /t REG_DWORD /d 0
- Press ENTER on your keyboard.
- Type:
REG ADD "HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\NonEnum" /v {645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E} /t REG_DWORD /d 0
- Press ENTER on your keyboard.
- Type EXIT and press ENTER on your keyboard.
NOTE
You may need to log off then log on to your user account or restart your computer for the changes to take affect.
Automated Fix Using an Registration File
- Download RcyclBnDsktpIcn.Allow.reg to a folder on your hard drive.
- Right-click RcyclBnDsktpIcn.Allow.reg to select Merge.
- Now the registration entries are added for you.
NOTES
The RcyclBnDsktpIcn.Allow.reg file is from my web server (http://lprf.homeserver.com). You also can view the contents of the RcyclBnDsktpIcn.Allow.reg file by right-clicking the file and selecting Edit. You may need to log off then log on to your user account or restart your computer for the changes to take affect.
Platforms Tested
- Microsoft Windows XP Editions
Related Articles
- My Computer Desktop Icon Restricted (Greyed) – Display Properties
- My Documents Desktop Icon Restricted (Greyed) – Display Properties
Version 2.1
Edited: May 6, 2012
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