How to Emp­ty Recy­cle Bin Auto­mat­i­cal­ly on Win­dows 10

If you’re tired of manually emptying your Recycle Bin or just want to keep your PC clutter-free, there’s a simple fix: automate it. Windows 10 has a built-in feature called Storage Sense that can handle this for you. Here’s how to set it up.

Why Automate It?

The Recycle Bin is like a digital junk drawer—it holds deleted files just in case you need them back. But over time, it can fill up with clutter and waste storage space. Automating the cleanup keeps your drive tidy and your system running smoother.

Step-by-Step: Turn On Storage Sense

1. Open Settings
   • Click the Start menu and select Settings (the gear icon).
2. Go to System > Storage
   • In the left-hand menu, click Storage.
3. Enable Storage Sense
   • Under the Storage Sense section, toggle the switch to On.
4. Configure Cleanup Settings
   • Click “Configure Storage Sense or run it now.”
   • Under Temporary Files, check the box that says “Delete files in my recycle bin if they have been there for over”.
   • Choose a time period: 1, 14, 30, or 60 days.
5. Save and Close
   • That’s it. Windows will now auto-empty your Recycle Bin based on your preferences.

Optional: Run Storage Sense Manually

Want to trigger a cleanup on demand? On the same settings page, scroll down and click “Clean now” under Free up space now.

Final Tip

If you’re using a solid-state drive (SSD), keeping it clean can help with performance and lifespan. Automating routine tasks like emptying the Recycle Bin is one easy step toward maintaining your system.

Got questions or want more automation tips? Drop a comment below.