HOW TO DELETE THE RECYCLE BIN ICON FROM DESKTOP IN WINDOWS XP / 2003

--> Open Registry Editor.

--> In Registry Editor, navigate to the following registry key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Desktop\NameSpace



--> Find the following key:

{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}

Delete the above key.
Note: As always, before making changes to your registry you should always make sure you have a valid backup. In cases where you're supposed to delete or modify keys or values from the registry it is possible to first export that key or value(s) to a .REG file before performing the changes.

--> Close Registry Editor.
There is no need to reboot. Just wait a few seconds and see how the icon disappears from the desktop.

--> In order to restore the Recycle Bin icon to the desktop just re-create the missing key (or import it back to the registry in case you've exported it earlier).

In Registry Editor, navigate to the following registry key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Desktop\NameSpace

Create the following key:

{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}

(just copy & paste, including the brackets)

JOB ACCOMPLISHED !!!