Trash (computing)

Example of an empty and full trash can or recycling bin icon, designed by the Tango Desktop Project, used to depict the trash in computing

In computing, the trash, also known by other names such as trash bin, dustbin, wastebasket, and similar names, is a graphical user interface desktop metaphor for temporary storage for files set aside by the user for deletion, but which are not yet permanently erased. This lifts the burden from the user of having to be highly careful while selecting files for deletion, since a trash bin provides a grace period to reverse unwanted deletions. The concept and name is part of Mac operating systems; a similar implementation is called the Recycle Bin in Microsoft Windows, and other operating systems use other names, sometimes ending with "-bin".

In the file manager, the trash can be viewed by the user as a special file directory, allowing the user to browse the files and retain those still wanted before deleting the others permanently (either one by one, or via an "empty trash" command). It may still be possible using third party software to undelete those that were deleted by mistake. In Microsoft Windows and macOS, the Trash folder links to hidden folders on each mounted drive where the files are actually stored.

The duration for which files are retained in the trash bin varies depending on implementation. They may be retained indefinitely until manually deleted, deleted after a fixed period, or deleted when the recycle bin exceeds a certain size.

Within a trash folder, a record may be kept of each file and/or directory's original location, depending on the implementation. On certain operating systems, files must be moved out of the trash before they can be accessed again. An operating system or file manager may remove trashed files from the file system once they resided in the trash bin for a certain duration, for example after 30 days on Android, or once the trash bin grows to a certain size (see § Microsoft Windows). Unlike in conventional folders, a trash bin may be able to contain files with duplicate names, given that a trash bin acts as a layer before permanent deletion from the file system. An implementation may store trashed files using custom names and references back to their original name stored as metadata, and/or inside hidden subfolders with non-duplicate names on the file system, such as the subfolders inside the $RECYCLE.BIN folder on Microsoft Windows. This is because the user needs to be able to trash any file that they would normally be able to permanently delete, including files with identical names stored in different directories.^[1][2]

Whether or not files deleted by a program go to the recycle bin depends on its level of integration with a particular desktop environment and its function. Low-level utilities usually bypass this layer entirely and delete files immediately. A program that includes file manager functionality may or may not send files to the recycle bin, or it may allow the user to choose between these options.^{[citation needed]}