By default, the Storage Sense feature in Windows 10 clears Recycle Bin every 30 days. However, it is possible to prevent Recycle Bin Files being Automatically Deleted in Windows 10.
Prevent Recycle Bin Files Being Automatically Deleted
Many times we delete Files on our computer and later on come across the need to restore deleted file/files from the Recycle Bin.
For this reason, many users prefer to manually clear the Recycle Bin, instead of allowing Windows 10 to clear the Recycle Bin automatically.
However, if the Storage Sense feature is active on your computer, it will automatically clear Recycle Bin Files every 30 days.
Hence, to prevent Recycle Bin Files being automatically deleted in Windows 10, you will have to either disable Storage Sense or exclude Recycle Bin from Storage Sense activities on your computer.
1. Disable Storage Sense in Windows 10
In case you prefer to manually perform disk clean up and optimization activities on your computer, you can simply turn OFF Storage Sense feature on your computer.
1. Click on the Start button > Settings Icon.
2. On the Settings screen, click on the System icon.
3. On the next screen, click on Storage in the left pane and switch OFF Storage sense in the right pane.
While this option prevents Recycle Bin Files being automatically deleted in Windows 10, it also prevents Storage Sense from automatically optimizing the storage space on your computer.
However, you can always manually optimize the storage space on your computer by going to Settings > Storage > Free up Space Now.
On the next screen, you can choose the type of Temporary Files to delete and click on Remove Files.
2. Prevent Storage Sense from Deleting Recycle Bin Files
It also possible to allow Storage Sense to Run on your computer, while preventing it from automatically deleting Recycle Bin Files.
This can be done by excluding the Recycle Bin Folder from Storage Sense activities.
1. Click on the Start button > Settings Icon.
2. On the Settings screen, click on the System Icon.
3. On the System screen, click on Storage in the left pane and click on Change how we free up space automatically option in the right pane.
4. On the next screen, set Delete files in my recycle bin option to Never.
After this, Recycle Bin Files will always be available in Recycle Bin Folder, until you manually clear the Recycle Bin on your computer.