---
title: "Enable the recycle bin"
slug: "enable-the-recycle-bin"
tags: ["Site Administrator", "How-to", "Totara Learn"]
updated: 2026-08-13T16:01:25Z
published: 2026-08-13T16:01:25Z
canonical: "totara.help/enable-the-recycle-bin"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://totara.help/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Enable the recycle bin

By default the [recycle bin](/totara-20/docs/enable-the-recycle-bin) is disabled, so you will need to activate it if you wish to use this feature.

To enable the recycle bin follow these steps:

1. As a Site Administrator, go to *Quick-access menu > Plugins > Admin tools > Recycle bin.*
2. Tick the box alongside **Enable course recycle bin** and/or **Enable category recycle bin**.
3. Configure the other settings as required.
4. Click the **Save changes** button.

There are a few [settings you can configure](/totara-20/docs/recycle-bin-settings) for the recycle bin, such as the restore window (how long content is kept before being permanently deleted) and also whether the recycle bin link displays in the **Administration** **menu** even if it is empty.

## Next steps

- [Restore content from the recycle bin](/totara-20/docs/restore-content-from-the-recycle-bin)

Join the [Totara Community](https://totara.community/) for more resources to help you get the most out of Totara.

© Copyright 2025 Totara Learning Solutions. All rights reserved. Some content originally obtained via [GPLv3 license](https://www.gnu.org/licenses/licenses.html#GPL) and continues to be available under GPLv3. All other content is the sole copyright of Totara Learning Solutions.