This guide explains how to access Recycle Bin on USB drive, why external USB drives don’t show a visible bin, and what happens to deleted files. Learn practical methods to check, recover, and manage removed data effectively.
Before diving into USB drives, it helps to understand the Recycle Bin on your computer.
What Happens When You Delete Files Normally
When you delete a file from your internal hard drive, Windows doesn’t erase it instantly. Instead, it moves the file to a special folder called the Recycle Bin. Think of it like tossing trash into a bin at home—it’s out of sight, but still retrievable.
Why External USB Drives Behave Differently
External drives are considered removable storage, so Windows treats them differently. Files deleted from a USB drive might not go to the Recycle Bin depending on the drive’s file system and settings.
Short answer: Yes—but it’s hidden and behaves differently than the Recycle Bin on your internal drive.
The Hidden $RECYCLE.BIN Folder Explained
When you delete a file from a USB drive, Windows may move it into a hidden folder named $RECYCLE.BIN. This folder exists on each drive, including external USB drives, as long as the drive supports it.
Why You Can’t See It by Default
Unless you enable hidden files, this folder remains invisible.
Not all USB drives behave the same way when it comes to deleted files.
FAT32 vs NTFS File Systems
Most USB flash drives come pre-formatted as FAT32 or exFAT, meaning deleted files are permanently removed immediately.
Permissions and Security Differences
USB drives don’t track user permissions the same way as internal drives. Windows minimizes the Recycle Bin functionality to prevent complications, which is why deleted files often vanish instantly.
Here’s how to locate the Recycle Bin step by step.
1. Plug in your USB drive.
2. Open File Explorer.
3. Click on View (or the three-dot menu in Windows 11).
4. Check Hidden items.
5. Navigate to your USB drive.
6. Look for a folder named $RECYCLE.BIN.
1. Press Win + S and type cmd, then select Run as administrator.
2. Type the following command and press Enter:
attrib -h -r -s X:\$RECYCLE.BIN
3. Replace X with your USB drive letter.
4. The folder should now be visible.
This method temporarily reveals the Recycle Bin folder, allowing you to access files safely.
Even if a Recycle Bin exists, files may not always go there.
File Size Limitations
If a file is larger than the allocated Recycle Bin size, Windows skips the bin and deletes it permanently.
Shift + Delete Behavior
Holding Shift while deleting a file tells Windows: "Skip the Recycle Bin and delete it for real". Windows obeys—no questions asked.
Lost files aren’t always gone forever.
If the file exists in $RECYCLE.BIN:
1. Open $RECYCLE.BIN on the USB drive.
2. Locate the file.
3. Right-click → Restore.
Easy, right?
If the file is no longer in the Recycle Bin, you can use MyRecover, a free data recovery tool.
Why it works well for USB recovery:
Think of MyRecover like a metal detector for lost files—it searches for what’s been erased but not yet overwritten.
1. Download & install MyRecover on your computer.
2. Plug in your USB drive.
3. Open MyRecover and select your USB drive.
4. Click Scan to search for deleted files.
5. Preview & select the files you want to recover.
6. Click Recover and save the files to your computer (not the USB drive).
A little prevention saves a lot of headaches.
1. Right-click the Recycle Bin on your desktop.
2. Click Properties.
3. Select your USB drive from the list.
4. Check Custom size and increase it if necessary.
5. Uncheck "Don’t move files to the Recycle Bin" if selected.
🔥Best Practices for External Storage
So, where is the Recycle Bin on an external USB drive?
It’s either hidden in $RECYCLE.BIN or bypassed entirely depending on the drive format and Windows settings. Once you know how it works, recovering files becomes manageable—and tools like MyRecover provide an extra safety net.
Think of your USB drive as a suitcase: what you lose inside depends on how carefully you pack, handle, and unpack it.
1. Why doesn’t my USB drive show a Recycle Bin?
It’s hidden or your drive uses FAT32/exFAT, which doesn’t support the Recycle Bin.
2. Can I enable Recycle Bin for USB drives?
Yes, by formatting the drive as NTFS and adjusting Recycle Bin settings.
3. Are deleted USB files permanently gone?
Not always. They may be recoverable until overwritten.
4. Is it safe to open $RECYCLE.BIN?
Yes, but don’t delete or modify files unless necessary.
5. Is it true that "USB Drives Don't Have Recycle Bins"?
Not true. USB drives can have a Recycle Bin, but it’s hidden, file system-dependent, and sometimes bypassed by Windows. Understanding this clarifies why deleted files sometimes vanish instantly.
6. What’s the best way to recover deleted USB files?
If not in the Recycle Bin, use a data recovery tool like MyRecover for the best chance.