Create a Shortcut File (LNK extension) to Empty the Recycle Bin

I wanted to have an even easier way of emptying the Recycle Bin. Easier than right clicking it and selecting Empty Recycle Bin over and over again.

Not that I am lazy or anything, but sometimes it gets annoying to right click the Bin a few times a day to clear it. I prefer to use those 3 seconds for something else, like relaxing my eyes.

So I found out the best solution is to create a Shortcut file (.LNK) to a PowerShell command that clears the Bin for me. 

1. Right click on the Desktop (or any other folder) and select New -> Shortcut
2. In the field of the Create Shortcut window paste the following line: powershell.exe -windowstyle hidden -command Clear-RecycleBin -Force
3. Click Next then type a name for your shortcut and click Finish

Note: a PowerShell window will briefly appear in your taskbar doing its job

Optionally you can edit the icon of your shortcut by right clicking it -> Properties -> Change Icon…

– now either use a personalized icon by pressing Browse and navigating to it, or
– in the Browse field paste the following line and hit Enter to get the default icons offered by Windows: %SystemRoot%\System32\SHELL32.dll

I set my icon from the icons provided by shell32.dll and chose to clear my trash into the Atlantic Ocean: . Some environmentalists might disagree, but I would urge them to go search for it.

I pinned the shortcut to my taskbar and I just click it to empty the Recycle Bin, without having to minimize all windows to right click the Bin, disrupting my work and neat window arrangement.