How to open the Recycle Bin from the Windows command line?

Question

How do I open the Recycle Bin from the command line?

I'd be very glad if there is a built-in Windows command.

Do you mean the Recycle Bin window or just the directory? Does it have to be for all drives or a specific one?

Peter Mortensen · Accepted Answer · 2012-03-02 10:51:37Z

Command line

On the command line, type

start shell:RecycleBinFolder

It is not case sensitive, so you can just type start shell:recyclebinfolder.

An alternative is to use the Run dialog (menu Start/Run or Win + R) - there is less to type. Type

shell:RecycleBinFolder

and press OK (or hit Enter).

This method works on all versions of Windows, at least back to Windows 2000.

Synetech · Answer 2 · 2012-02-28 23:14:31Z

(Depending on the OS and filesystem, the directory may be $Recycle.bin, Recycled, or Recycler.)

To open the Recycle Bin window (showing deleted objects on all drives):

C:\> start ::{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}
or
C:\> start shell:RecycleBinFolder
or
C:\> start C:\$Recycle.bin
To list deleted objects on a specific drive:

C:\> dir /s/a <driveletter>:\$Recycle.Bin

(NB, the original filenames will not be shown in this mode.)

In windows 7 start C:\$Recycle.bin just gave me an empty directory. I needed to use start shell:RecycleBinFolder

iglvzx · Answer 3 · 2012-02-28 17:19:33Z

up vote 10 down vote

You can open the Recycle Bin window by using its GUID:

explorer ::{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}

answered Feb 28 '12 at 17:19

iglvzx
11.8k22058

xXPhenom22Xx · Answer 4 · 2012-02-28 17:18:22Z

up vote 8 down vote

This should help, tested on Windows 7 successfully

RUN
CMD
CD \$Recycle.Bin

answered Feb 28 '12 at 17:18

xXPhenom22Xx
44915