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I can't delete desktop.ini and Thumbs.db copied from Windows XP on my Mac

I copy some music folders from Windows XP to my Mac, after done copy, I found that each folders included 2 files : desktop.ini and Thumbs.db, I tried various method to delete them, it won't work. then I google it, I found some answer that was to disable file option on Windows XP, I did, but it doesn't work, every time I select and delete them, it pop up asked me to enter my name and password, I did, and I heard the trash sounds too, but the files are still there, they won't be erased. I really don't like desktop.ini and Thumbs.db, these two files are useless, what do I do? please help!

Mac Mini 1.83 Core 2, Mac OS X (10.5.1), Apple keyboard

Posted on Dec 9, 2007 9:43 AM

Reply
8 replies

Jan 4, 2008 10:03 PM in response to mrs klm

Well I don't have a solution yet but I have found out what thumbs.db is. Recent PC-to-Mac switchers may noticed many Windows system files laying around. These are files like Thumbs.db and Desktop.ini, which were previously hidden by your Windows system, but now annoyingly popping up in every corner of your Mac. Since these PC system files are of no use to the Mac operating system, OS X simply displays them like any other file. Productivity blog Lifehacker presents a quick and easy way to get rid of Thumbs.db and Desktop.ini from your Mac:
“Invoke Spotlight (Cmd-Space by default) and type Thumbs.db into the search box and show all the results. Make sure the search source is set to “Computer.” Select all the results, and drag them into the Trash.” see http://www.ofzenandcomputing.com/zanswers/480 and http://www.ghacks.net/2007/12/13/thumbsdb-viewer-and-cleaner/.

Jan 4, 2008 10:10 PM in response to Mauricette

Troubleshooting permissions issues in Mac OS X
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106712

From the above link
1) Open the Terminal application.
2) Type: sudo rm -rf
Note: Type a space after "-rf". The command does not work without the space. Do not press Return until Step 6.
3) Open your Trash.
4) Choose Select All from the Edit menu.
5) Drag all of your Trash into the Terminal window. This causes the Terminal window to automatically fill in the name and location of each item in your Trash.
6) Press Return.

Feb 18, 2008 1:24 AM in response to Mauricette

Guys, I have the same problem after I've mass copied music files from PC to Mac. I have a bunch of desktop.ini files which just impossible to get rid of.
I haven't tried it yet but the solution may be just to drag (move) these files back to any Windows partition (to external Windows FAT32 disk or to share drive on Windows PC). I've came accross that discussion regarding emptying Trash http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=411191
The same may help us too. I will try tonight and let you know.

Feb 19, 2008 12:41 AM in response to Zhara

Unfortunately the method i've suggested doesn't work. Even trying to delete the files from remote Windows PC doesn't work either. The only way is what imac007 suggested but it will remove the whole directory with desktop.ini inside. Obviously that method cannot be recommended if you have desktop.ini in the root of your home directory. Otherwise you may lose everything.

I can't delete desktop.ini and Thumbs.db copied from Windows XP on my Mac

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