If you are a long-time Windows user who has recently moved to Linux, you may want the familiar trash can on your desktop like you had in Windows. The Trash icon is available in Ubuntu, but it is not visible by default.
Adding the Trash icon in Gnome
If you are using the Gnome environment, press Alt+F2 to access the Run Application dialog box. Click Run.
The Configuration Editor displays. In the tree in the left pane, navigate to the apps / nautilus / desktop option.
In the right pane, select the check box next to trash_can_visible. Click the X button in the upper, right corner of the Configuration Editor dialog box to close it.
The Trash icon now displays on your desktop.
Adding the Trash icon in KDE
Adding the Trash icon in KDE is a different from adding it in Gnome.
From the K menu, select Computer.
Then, right-click on the Trash option, and select Add to Desktop from the pop-up menu.
The Trash icon displays on your desktop.
Emptying the Trash in Gnome
Emptying the trash in Gnome is a straightforward task. It works just like the recycle bin in Windows.
Right-click on the Trash icon on the Gnome desktop.
Emptying the Trash in KDE
Emptying the Trash in KDE is another story. After doing some research, we discovered that some the Empty Trash option is available for some people, but not for others. We found a workaround for situations where this option is not available.
NOTE: KDE is meant more for developers than Gnome. Some convenience features for everyday users may not work as simply as in Gnome. KDE stands for “K Development Environment.”
Once you have deleted a file, double-click on the Trash icon on your desktop.
Dolphin opens with the Trash folder active.
To permanently delete the file, select it in the Trash folder and press the Del key. The Delete Files dialog displays.
Click Delete to remove the file.
NOTE: The Trash icon on the desktop may still display as if there are items in the Trash. As long as no files are in the Trash folder in Dolphin, the Trash is empty.
by Lori Kaufman
Ahhh ingenious! I hate Windows, but I do love that silly trash can. Quick question though…you mentioned that the Trash can in Ubuntu is like the one in Windows, so does that mean it also uses a predetermined amount of hard disk space like the Recycle Bin in Windows?
I don't think there is a size limit. I did some research and saw someone asking on the Ubuntu forum if you can limit the size of the trash can, and someone else said that they didn't think so. It sounded like you would have to force a limit, if you wanted one, with a script and a cron job.