In any Windows computer there is a recycle bin where all your delete files are stored temporary unless we permanently delete them. By default in Windows XP Recycle bin can only store about 10 percent of the drive capacity. But we can increase and decrease the size of the Recycle Bin and even make it to store 100 percent of the drive capacity.

There are some size limitations with Recycle Bin size, its default size is equivalent to about 10 percent of the drive size. But if you delete a larger size file accidentally, you can retrieve this file from Recycle Bin that is why you should set the maximum storage size of the Recycle Bin.

STEPS (In Windows XP):

1.) Right click on the Recycle Bin icon on the Desktop.

2.) Click on Properties option.

3.) Drag the slider bar to the left or right according to your wish. Dragging the slider bar to the left side will reduce the recycle bin storage capacity and dragging it to the right will increase it.

4.) Once you’ve done all this, click on OK button.

5.) In some computers the change will be instant and in some they will require a restart. But restart your computer in any case to be on a safe side.

STEPS (In Windows 7):

1.) Right click on the Recycle Bin icon on the Desktop.

2.) Click on Properties option.

In Windows 7 you have to change the recycle bin capacity of each hard drive partition separately. In Windows 7 there isn’t any slider bar or percentage to set. In Windows 7 we have to enter a value which we want to use as the recycle bin storage limit.

3.) Select the hard drive partition and under “Custom Size: Maximum Size (MB)” enter a value according to your choice. If you want to make it go unlimited i.e. full hard drive storage, just enter a large value higher than your hard drive partition capacity. It will automatically set the value to the hard drive partition capacity.

4.) Once you’ve set the value, click on OK button.

5.) In some computers the change will be instant and in some they will require a restart. But restart your computer in any case to be on a safe side as you did in Windows XP above.