It is not easy to locate the Recycle Bin on the hard disk drive because it is hidden from view. Do not worry, as there are at least two ways that you can locate the Recycle Bin.
Using Windows Explorer (Explorer.exe)
1. Left-click the Windows Explorer shortcut under Accessories.
2. Left-click the Organize button on the top left.
3. Left-click Folder and Search Options in the drop-down list.
4. Navigate to the View tab in the Folder Options.
5. Add a check to Show hidden Files and folders.
6. Remove the check from Hide protected OS files.
You should now see the contents (if any) of the Recycle Bin.
Using the Registry Editor (Regedit.exe)
01. Left-click the Start button on the Taskbar.
02. Type regedit in the Run/Start Search box.
03. Wait for the Registry Editor window to open.
04. Double-click on the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE folder.
05. Double-click on the SOFTWARE folder.
06. Double-click on the Microsoft folder.
07. Double-click on the Windows NT folder.
08. Double-click on the CurrentVersion folder.
09. Double-click on the ProfileList folder.
10. At the top of the Registry Editor, you should see Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\ProfileList\
11. Scroll through the listed keys and select the SID whose ProfileImagePath value matches the user’s profile folder.
12. In the Registry Editor’s Address Bar, highlight and copy only the SID at the end of the path.
13. Navigate to C:$Recycle.Bin in Windows Explorer.
14. Paste the SID at the end of C:$Recycle.Bin\ to open that user’s Recycle Bin folder.
11. Scroll through the listed keys there, paying attention to SIDs in the ProfileImagePath.
12. Now copy the SID that mentions the ProfileImagePath folder in the Registry Editor’s Address Bar.
13. Navigate to C:\$Recycle.Bin in Windows Explorer.
14. Now paste the key name to the end of C:\$Recycle.Bin\
You should now see the contents (if any) of the Recycle Bin.
