How to Remove or Hide Trash Icons in Office 2016
Question details
The user wants to remove the trash or delete icons from the Office 2016 interface to maximize the visible space for file names.
- Product
- Microsoft Office 2016
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Customizing the application interface or recent files list to reduce visual clutter and expand the document reading area.
- Observed behavior
- Trash or delete icons are permanently displayed in the interface, taking up valuable screen real estate.
Keep in mind that Microsoft Office 2016 limits the customization of its core user interface, meaning some built-in icons in the Backstage view cannot be completely removed.
Remove Delete Commands from the Quick Access Toolbar and Ribbon
If the trash icons were added manually to your toolbars, you can remove them using the built-in customization settings.
While core interface icons (like those hardcoded in the Recent Documents list) are permanently baked into the Office 2016 design, any delete icons that you or a third-party add-in placed on the Ribbon or Quick Access Toolbar can be easily hidden.
Launch your Office 2016 application (such as Word or Excel) and click on 'File' in the top-left corner, then select 'Options' at the bottom of the menu.
Select either 'Customize Ribbon' or 'Quick Access Toolbar' from the left-hand navigation pane, depending on where the unwanted icon is located.
In the right-hand column displaying your current interface setup, scroll through the list to locate the 'Delete' or trash icon command.
Click on the command to highlight it, then click the 'Remove' button located between the two columns.
Click 'OK' at the bottom of the window to save your changes and return to a cleaner document view.
Switch to WPS Office for a Cleaner, Clutter-Free Workspace
If rigid interface elements in Office 2016 are frustrating you, WPS Office offers a sleek, highly customizable, and space-efficient alternative. Enjoy an intuitive tabbed interface without unnecessary visual clutter, all while maintaining perfect compatibility with your existing files.
- 1. Download the Application: Visit the official WPS website to download and install WPS Office Free.
- 2. Open the Unified Dashboard: Launch the application to experience the clean, centralized homepage layout.
- 3. Import Your Work: Simply drag and drop your existing Microsoft Office files into WPS to continue working without losing any formatting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I remove the pin or delete icons in the Recent Files list of Office 2016?
No, Microsoft Office 2016 does not provide a built-in setting to hide or remove the pin and delete icons within the Recent Files list. These are permanent fixtures of the backstage view.
Is there a Windows Registry tweak to hide interface icons in Office 2016?
While the Windows Registry allows for some advanced Office customization, there is no verified registry key that safely removes core UI elements like the trash icons without risking application instability.
How do I clear the recent files list completely to reduce clutter?
You can clear unpinned items by right-clicking any file in the Recent list and selecting 'Clear unpinned Documents'. Alternatively, you can stop the list from populating by going to 'File' > 'Options' > 'Advanced', scrolling to the 'Display' section, and setting 'Show this number of Recent Documents' to zero.
