Positioning the Recycle Bin Icon in Windows XP

This article describes the location of the Recycle Bin icon in Microsoft Windows XP.

When you install Windows XP, the Recycle Bin is located in the lower-right corner of the desktop. After the initial setup, you can use it the same way that you use all other desktop icons.

The Recycle Bin is automatically located in the lower-right corner on the desktop the first time you start the computer after a clean installation. If you change the screen resolution when you first start Windows XP, the icon is moved to the lower-right corner of the desktop. (Icons in a corner of the desktop get moved towards the middle of the desktop when the screen resolution is changed.) If you right-click the desktop, and then click Arrange Icons By, the Recycle Bin is moved to the left side of the desktop with the rest of the desktop icons.

If you upgrade to Windows XP, the Recycle Bin is not moved.