Question:

Why does the recycle bin take longer to load than other folders in Windows 11?

I have been using Windows 11 without any problems, but recently I noticed that the recycle bin folder takes about 5 seconds to open in the File Explorer, while other folders open instantly. The mouse cursor shows a loading icon during this time. The recycle bin is empty, so I don’t understand why it is slow. Is there a way to fix this issue?

Answer:

Windows 11 is the latest operating system from Microsoft, and it offers many new features and improvements over its predecessors. However, some users have reported that the recycle bin folder takes longer to load than other folders in the File Explorer, even when it is empty. This can be frustrating and annoying, especially if you need to access the recycle bin frequently. In this article, we will explain why this happens and how to fix it.

The reason behind the slow recycle bin

The recycle bin is a special folder that stores the files and folders that you delete from your computer. Unlike other folders, the recycle bin has some extra properties and functions that make it different. For example, the recycle bin can show you the original location, size, and date of deletion of each item. It can also restore the items to their original locations if you change your mind. These features are useful, but they also require more processing and memory than regular folders.

Another factor that affects the performance of the recycle bin is the number of drives and partitions that you have on your computer. Windows 11 creates a separate recycle bin for each drive and partition, and it has to scan and load them all when you open the recycle bin folder. This can take some time, especially if you have a lot of drives or partitions, or if they are slow or corrupted.

The solution to the slow recycle bin

There are a few ways to speed up the loading of the recycle bin folder in Windows 11. Here are some of the most common and effective ones:

• Empty the recycle bin regularly. This will reduce the number of items that the recycle bin has to load and display. You can empty the recycle bin by right-clicking on it and selecting “Empty Recycle Bin”. You can also set up a schedule to automatically empty the recycle bin every few days or weeks. To do this, go to Settings > System > Storage > Temporary files > Empty Recycle Bin automatically and choose your preferred option.
• Reduce the size of the recycle bin. This will limit the amount of space that the recycle bin can use on each drive and partition. This will also reduce the number of items that the recycle bin can store and load. You can reduce the size of the recycle bin by right-clicking on it and selecting “Properties”. Then, adjust the slider or enter a custom value for each drive and partition. The default size is 5% of the drive or partition size, but you can lower it to 1% or less if you want.
• Disable the recycle bin. This is the most drastic option, and it will completely remove the recycle bin from your computer. This means that you will not be able to restore any files or folders that you delete, and they will be permanently erased. This will also free up some space on your drives and partitions. You can disable the recycle bin by right-clicking on it and selecting “Properties”. Then, check the box that says “Don’t move files to the Recycle Bin. Remove files immediately when deleted.” and click “OK”.
• Scan and repair your drives and partitions. This will fix any errors or issues that might be slowing down or corrupting your drives and partitions. This will also improve the overall performance and stability of your computer. You can scan and repair your drives and partitions by opening the File Explorer and right-clicking on the drive or partition that you want to check. Then, select “Properties” > “Tools” > “Check” and follow the instructions.

Conclusion

The

recycle bin is a useful feature that allows you to recover deleted files and folders, but it can also cause some delays and problems when you open it in Windows 11. This is because the recycle bin has more properties and functions than regular folders, and it has to load and display the information of each item. The performance of the recycle bin also depends on the number and condition of your drives and partitions. To speed up the loading of the recycle bin folder, you can try emptying it regularly, reducing its size, disabling it, or scanning and repairing your drives and partitions. We hope that this article has helped you understand and solve the issue of the slow recycle bin in Windows 11.