edwinfromoslo
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: How to trash using empty securely...It wont emty the trash after i clicked the remove all items?

How to empty trash using emtpty securely, it wont empty the trash after i clicked the remove all items? Using iMac 2011

iMac, OS X Yosemite (10.10.2)

Posted on Feb 23, 2015 3:42 AM

by joe_7399,Solvedanswer
joe_7399 joe_7399
Community Specialists
A:

Hello edwinfromoslo,

 

Welcome to the Apple Support Communities!

 

I understand that you are trying to delete files from your trash, but the trash will not empty. In this situation, I would recommend reading over and working through the attached article for information and steps to help you resolve this issue. 

 

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

 

Have a great day,

Joe

Posted on Feb 24, 2015 7:53 AM

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edwinfromoslo

Q: How to trash using empty securely...It wont emty the trash after i clicked the remove all items?

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  • Helpful answers

  • by joe_7399,Solvedanswer

    joe_7399 joe_7399 Feb 24, 2015 7:53 AM in response to edwinfromoslo
    Community Specialists
    Feb 24, 2015 7:53 AM in response to edwinfromoslo

    Hello edwinfromoslo,

     

    Welcome to the Apple Support Communities!

     

    I understand that you are trying to delete files from your trash, but the trash will not empty. In this situation, I would recommend reading over and working through the attached article for information and steps to help you resolve this issue. 

     

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

     

    Have a great day,

    Joe

  • by PATRICKMELE,

    PATRICKMELE PATRICKMELE Feb 24, 2015 8:03 AM in response to edwinfromoslo
    Level 3 (909 points)
    Mac OS X
    Feb 24, 2015 8:03 AM in response to edwinfromoslo

    If all else fails use Utilities> Terminal.

    If there are several locked files in the Trash, you can unlock them all at the same time at the command line. Follow these steps:

    1. Open Terminal. It's located in /Applications/Utilities.

     

    Type:

    chflags -R nouchg  

    Type one space (not pictured) after nouchg in the line above, so that it ends in "nouchg ". Do not press Return yet.


    1. Type:chflags -R nouchg  Type one space (not pictured) after nouchg in the line above, so that it ends in "nouchg ". Do not press Return yet.
    2. Double-click the Trash icon in the Dock to reveal the contents of the Trash. If necessary, arrange the Finder window so that a portion of the Terminal window is still visible.
    3. Press the Command-A key combination to select all files in the Trash.
    4. Drag the files from the Trash to the Terminal window.
      Note: This automatically enters the pathname for each file. This eliminates the need to individually empty multiple Trash directories, particularly when multiple disks or volumes are present.
    5. Press Return. No special text message will be shown indicating that the command was successful.
    6. Empty the Trash.

    If the Trash does not empty or if you see a message in Terminal that says "usage: chflags [-R [-H | -L | -P]] flags file..." you most likely did not type the text in step 2 as indicated or did not leave a space. Repeat the steps if this happens.

  • by Eric Root,

    Eric Root Eric Root Feb 24, 2015 4:33 PM in response to edwinfromoslo
    Level 9 (73,048 points)
    iTunes
    Feb 24, 2015 4:33 PM in response to edwinfromoslo

    Trash FAQ