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User profile for user: GromReaper
GromReaper Author
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Trash cannot delete file in use

I occasionally have troubles deleting files from the Trash because the message says that the files are still in use, even though I haven't got any applications open.

One of the main features that convinced me to upgrade to Snow Leopard was that it would say which application was using the file that was in use. However, since updating, the warning message hasn't changed since Leopard. Is there a preference or something I need to change to get this feature active?

Posted on Dec 17, 2009 2:02 AM

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User profile for user: V.K.
V.K.
User level: Level 9
56,174 points

Posted on Dec 17, 2009 7:01 AM

no, there is no preference to set for this. the easiest thing to do in such situations is to log out/in. whatever process was holding the file should release it. if you want to see which process is using a file you can do it from terminal by running the following terminal command 

lsof /path/to/file

you need to put the correct path to the file in the command. the easiest way to get it is by dragging the file to the terminal window. make sure there is a space between lsof and the path.
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User profile for user: V.K.
V.K.
User level: Level 9
56,174 points

Dec 17, 2009 7:01 AM in response to GromReaper

no, there is no preference to set for this. the easiest thing to do in such situations is to log out/in. whatever process was holding the file should release it. if you want to see which process is using a file you can do it from terminal by running the following terminal command 

lsof /path/to/file

you need to put the correct path to the file in the command. the easiest way to get it is by dragging the file to the terminal window. make sure there is a space between lsof and the path.
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User profile for user: donv_the_ghost
donv_the_ghost
User level: Level 9
50,900 points

Dec 19, 2009 7:06 AM in response to GromReaper

GromReaper wrote:
I occasionally have troubles deleting files from the Trash because the message says that the files are still in use, even though I haven't got any applications open.

One of the main features that convinced me to upgrade to Snow Leopard was that it would say which application was using the file that was in use. However, since updating, the warning message hasn't changed since Leopard. Is there a preference >or something I need to change to get this feature active?

Here is a [read on trash|http://www.thexlab.com/faqs/trash.html] that may help you. And, I don't remember Apple promising the feature your mention. [Read here|http://www.apple.com/macosx/refinements/enhancements-refinements.html].
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User profile for user: V.K.
V.K.
User level: Level 9
56,174 points

Dec 19, 2009 7:06 AM in response to GromReaper

GromReaper wrote:
Thanks for that.

No word on the feature that was advertised as a new Snow Leopard feature, though?

I think that was just when you eject a drive. when you are trying to eject a drive and there is an active document on it the system will tell you which application is keeping it busy but not which file is in use.
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Trash cannot delete file in use

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