With all of the little programs on your computer sucking up hard disk space, do you really want the recycle bin adding to it? By default, Windows XP sets the recycle bin to use 10% of the hard disk to store deleted files (that is, until you empty it). If you are someone who doesn’t empty their recycle bin often, you may want to try this tip. In order to change the amount of space used:

1.) Right click on the “Recycle Bin” icon on the Desktop and then select “Properties”.
2.) Under the “Global” tab you will see a slider that allows you to change the maximum size of the recycle bin. Slide this down as low as you want, depending on if you want to keep any deleted files stored. If you are afraid of accidentally deleting files and wanting to get them back, just slide it down to 1%. If you don’t want the recycle bin to hold any files at all, go to step 3.
3.) In order to keep the recycle bin from holding any files and instead completely removing them from the computer, check the box above the slider that says “Do not move files to the Recycle Bin. Remove files immediately when deleted”.
4.) Click apply and ok after any changes you’ve made and you’re all set.

Note that this has only been tested in Windows XP and may not be an option in earlier versions of Windows.

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