Q: Can't erase CD-RW's since installing el capitan.

Ctrl-click (or right-click) on a mounted CD-RW and choose the option to Erase the rewritable disk.

…but I see that isn't (wasn't?) necessary.

Yeah. I was trying to create an Automator service to tell diskutil to erase the disk. I almost had it working, then I noticed the command in the contextual menu.

Please make sure to be in the Finder !

Can you explain better?

LizzyDeahl wrote:

 

Can you explain better?

I'm not sure I can. What part are you confused about?

Do you do it in Disk utility, Automator, or in the finder?

LizzyDeahl wrote:

 

Do you do it in Disk utility, Automator, or in the finder?

Finder. Did it not give you the option when you tried?

I don't think it did

I right clicked on the cd under devices and it didn't give me the option.

If it is indeed a CD-RW, then I can't explain your problem:

I am coming to this really late since i just upgraded to El Capitain.  I don't get the ability to right click on the icon in FINDER.  Was there ever a next thought after this one?

I don't understand how you don't have the ability to right-click.

Do you not have a right button on your mouse? If so, then hold down the control key and click the mouse button. That is the actual method. Right mouse button is just a shortcut for ctrl-left clicking.

That was the ticket...I totally overlooked your comment to hold the control button down while right clicking!  Thanks s million.