waynog
Level 1 (25 points)
Notebooks

Q: I'm unable to empty my trash folder

The HD on my macBook pro ( 10.7.5, 8Gb RAM) has 254 files in the trash ( the 500gb HD is full) When I try to empty the trash I'm asked if I want to "secure empty trash" which I confirm, then I select : remove all items" but after pausing for a few seconds, the dialogue box goes and nothing has happened- I still have 254 files ( NOT locked) in mt trash taking up I guess some 50-100gb of space) that i can't empty.

 

I have run disk utility and repaired my disk - and restarted, and I still can't empty the trash.. and ideas?

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.7.2)

Posted on Jan 25, 2015 11:16 AM

by Kappy,Solvedanswer
Kappy Kappy
Level 10 (271,524 points)
Desktops
A:

Visit The XLab FAQs and read the FAQ on solving Trash issues. You can also try using Trash It! 5.1 to fix the problem. Or you can try this:

 

Open the Terminal in the Utilities folder and paste the following at the prompt:

 

    sudo rm -Rf ~/.Trash

 

Press RETURN. Enter your admin password when prompted. It will not echo to the screen. Press RETURN again.

 

(Should anyone tell you this is dangerous or unnecessary, please ignore the comment.)

Posted on Jan 25, 2015 11:22 AM

Close
waynog

Q: I'm unable to empty my trash folder

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by Kappy,Solvedanswer

    Kappy Kappy Jan 25, 2015 11:22 AM in response to waynog
    Level 10 (271,524 points)
    Desktops
    Jan 25, 2015 11:22 AM in response to waynog

    Visit The XLab FAQs and read the FAQ on solving Trash issues. You can also try using Trash It! 5.1 to fix the problem. Or you can try this:

     

    Open the Terminal in the Utilities folder and paste the following at the prompt:

     

        sudo rm -Rf ~/.Trash

     

    Press RETURN. Enter your admin password when prompted. It will not echo to the screen. Press RETURN again.

     

    (Should anyone tell you this is dangerous or unnecessary, please ignore the comment.)

  • by K Shaffer,

    K Shaffer K Shaffer Jan 25, 2015 11:26 AM in response to waynog
    Level 6 (14,483 points)
    Desktops
    Jan 25, 2015 11:26 AM in response to waynog

    You could try starting up in SafeBoot, note the items in trash then,

    while in SafeBoot, run Disk Utility's 'repair disk permissions' and

    then restart the computer. This may help some underlying issues

    that could contribute to your user account and it's trash situation.

     

    There may be some sticky permissions issue(s) behind hard to

    remove trash items... so that is why it sometimes is necessary

    to try a different method to make it happen.

     

    •You can't empty the Trash or move a file to the Trash - Apple Support

    This covers most aspects of trash problems, so it's worth reading.

     

    There are other ways, for each user account to accumulate trash

    and methods to remove them include command-line as well as

    third party tools (such as OnyX) which allows an admin user to

    deploy a trash empty device from within the tool set.

     

    Good luck & happy computing!

  • by waynog,Helpful

    waynog waynog Jan 25, 2015 11:43 AM in response to Kappy
    Level 1 (25 points)
    Notebooks
    Jan 25, 2015 11:43 AM in response to Kappy

    Kappy how do i get that squiggly line  (after "Rf" and before the "/" )

  • by Kappy,Helpful

    Kappy Kappy Jan 25, 2015 12:36 PM in response to waynog
    Level 10 (271,524 points)
    Desktops
    Jan 25, 2015 12:36 PM in response to waynog

    By following my instruction to copy and paste the command line from my post. But if you must know it's the SHIFT-accent key to the left of the 1 key.

  • by waynog,

    waynog waynog Jan 25, 2015 1:09 PM in response to Kappy
    Level 1 (25 points)
    Notebooks
    Jan 25, 2015 1:09 PM in response to Kappy

    ok, i can even live with the attitude about the secret squiggle… it worked. My trash has been emptied.

     

    Thank you

  • by waynog,

    waynog waynog Jan 25, 2015 1:08 PM in response to K Shaffer
    Level 1 (25 points)
    Notebooks
    Jan 25, 2015 1:08 PM in response to K Shaffer

    There's 254 files/folders in my trash bin.

  • by K Shaffer,

    K Shaffer K Shaffer Jan 25, 2015 9:29 PM in response to waynog
    Level 6 (14,483 points)
    Desktops
    Jan 25, 2015 9:29 PM in response to waynog

    The method(s) suggested will work, including the use of

    free OnyX via an Admin user account, to empty trashes.

     

    I've done all this, having owned/used dozens of Macs.

    And used most systems from early Macintosh to now.

     

    There is a reason why the trash items have an issue....

    Sometimes, there are APL or ownership related causes.

     

    Good luck & happy computing!