Hide the Recycle Bin

Hate that Recycle Bin icon on your Windows XP desktop that just won't go away? Use this method to hide it without hiding any of your other icons.

Step 1: Step One

Right-click on the desktop

Step 2: Step 2

Choose the 'Properties' option

Step 3: Step 3

Go to the 'Desktop' tab

Step 4: Step 4

Click on 'Customize Desktop'

Step 5: Step 5

Click on 'Recycle Bin (full)' and choose the 'Change Icon' button, then choose one of the blank spaces.

Step 6: Step 6

Click OK. If you've done it right, your window should look like the picture.

Step 7: Step 7

Repeat the last few steps with the other Recycle Bin:

Click on 'Recycle Bin (empty)'
Click on 'Change Icon'
Pick one of the blank ones
Click OK
It should look like the picture now.

Step 8: Step 8

Now click OK to close the Customize Desktop dialog box, then click OK to close the Desktop Properties dialog box. It will still say 'Recycle Bin' where the Icon was, but that'll be got rid of in the next step.

Step 9: Step 9

Now click and hold just above the words 'Recycle Bin', and drag down until the words are underneath the Start Menu bar.

Step 10: Et Voila!

Ta-da! No more pesky Recycle Bin icon! Congratulations!