Windows 11 hacks: How to automate Recycle Bin cleaning on your PC

Windows 11 hacks: Deleted files often occupy a lot of storage space on our personal computers. While users keep deleting files from other folders on the PC or the files that they no longer need, a lot of them often forget to clear out deleted files from their PCs Recycle Bin folder, which creates a memory scarcity. Thankfully, Microsoft’s latest desktop OS, that is, Windows 11, lets users automate cleaning on Recycle Bin, which in turn saves a lot of time and storage space.

For the unversed, clearing the Recycle Bin automatically enhances your PC’s performance in Windows 11 and makes sure that unneeded files are routinely discarded. So, here we have a step-by-step guide that will walk you through the process for setting up your computer to automatically empty the Recycle Bin.

Windows 11 hacks: How to automate recycle bin cleaning on your PC

Step 1: Opening Task Scheduler
To start setting up a cleaning routine, click on the Start menu and do a quick search for ‘Task Scheduler.’ Open it up to get rolling.

Step 2: Begin Crafting Your Task
In the Task Scheduler interface, look to the right and select ‘Create Basic Task’ from the Actions list to open the setup wizard.

Step 3: Assigning a Task Name
Give your task a name and brief explanation. For instance, try ‘Recycle Bin Cleaning’ as a straightforward reference.

Step 4: Choose Your Trigger
Now, decide when you want your cleaning process to kick in. Pick ‘When the computer starts’ or ‘When I log on’ depending on what suits your usage best.

Step 5: Indicating the Required Action
Your next click should be on ‘Start a program’ – this lets you specify the recycle bin cleaner.

Step 6: Choosing the Right Program
In the Program field, type ‘cleanmgr.exe’. This is your built-in Windows Disk Cleanup tool. To automate cleaning, just add ‘/sagerun:1’ into the arguments field.

Step 7: Task Wrapping Up
Double-check all the task details to make sure everything’s in order and click ‘Finish’ – voila! Your automated cleaning task is set.

Step 8: Fine-Tune in Task Scheduler
Go back to Task Scheduler, find your newly created task under Task Scheduler Library. To make any adjustments like triggers or conditions, right-click the task and select ‘Properties.’