# Recycle bin enabled paths should be retrievable

Recycle Bin enabled paths indicate which naming contexts/partitions have AD’s Recycle Bin functionality turned on.

Source: https://maester.dev/docs/tests/AD-CFG-05

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<div class="test-byline"><div class="test-byline-avatars"><a class="test-byline-avatar test-byline-avatar--author" href="/contributors/soulemike" title="Michael Soule · Original author"><img src="https://github.com/soulemike.png" alt="Michael Soule" width="28" height="28" loading="lazy" decoding="async" /></a></div><div class="test-byline-meta"><span class="test-byline-text">Contributed by <a href="/contributors/soulemike">Michael Soule</a></span><a class="test-byline-link" href="/contributors">All contributors →</a></div></div>

<p class="test-part">Part of <a href="/docs/tests/ad">Active Directory</a> · Active Directory · Directory configuration · <a href="/docs/tests">All checks</a></p>

```powershell title="Run this check"
Invoke-Maester -TestId AD-CFG-05
```

## Overview

**Recycle Bin enabled paths** indicate which naming contexts/partitions have AD’s Recycle Bin functionality turned on. This matters because the Recycle Bin is a major control for limiting damage from:

- **Accidental deletions** (including bulk removal mistakes)
- **Insider misuse** where deletion is used to cover tracks
- **Operational failures** where objects must be restored quickly to resume secure workflows

Without Recycle Bin enabled for the right partitions, deleted objects may be **irrecoverable** once tombstone/purge timelines are exceeded.

#### Control Type

**Preventive**

#### Security Recommendation
- Enable Recycle Bin for all partitions that store security-critical objects (for example, identity data in domains/NCs you manage).
- Ensure your recovery playbooks explicitly reference Recycle Bin vs. tombstone recovery.
- Monitor for unexpected changes to enabled partitions and investigate immediately.

#### How the Test Works
This test enumerates AD partitions/paths and reports which ones have Recycle Bin enabled, giving administrators direct visibility into recoverability coverage.

#### Related Tests
- `Test-MtAdRecycleBinStatus` - Confirms overall Recycle Bin functionality state.

## Details

<details>
<summary>Every attribute of this check</summary>

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Test ID | AD-CFG-05 |
| Severity | Info |
| Suite | Active Directory |
| Product | Active Directory |
| Feature | Directory configuration |
| Area | Infrastructure hardening |
| Resource type | Tenant |
| MITRE ATT&CK | None |
| PowerShell test | [Test-MtAdRecycleBinEnabledPaths](https://github.com/maester365/maester/blob/main/tests/ad/config/Test.AD-CFG-05.ps1) |
| Services | ActiveDirectory |
| Permissions | ActiveDirectory:Ldap:msDS-OptionalFeature:ReadProperty |

</details>

## Source

- Test: [`tests/ad/config/Test.AD-CFG-05.ps1`](https://github.com/maester365/maester/blob/main/tests/ad/config/Test.AD-CFG-05.ps1)
- Documentation: [`tests/ad/config/Test.AD-CFG-05.md`](https://github.com/maester365/maester/blob/main/tests/ad/config/Test.AD-CFG-05.md)