Cannot delete files after emailing them

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Level 2

150 points

Cannot delete files after emailing them

Ever since I upgraded to Snow Leopard I cannot empty the trash if there is a file that I have added as an attachment in an email if Mail is still open. It will say the file is in use and I either have to quit Mail or Secure Empty Trash. This is really annoying. Anyone know of a fix? The file shouldn't be in use once it is sent in Mail. This never happened in previous versions of OSX. Also, if I have sent a file as an attachment I cannot save over it in the originating program because it is in use.

MacBook Pro 17" 2.8GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, Mac OS X (10.6), 4GB RAM

Posted on Jun 3, 2010 7:12 AM

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Answer 1

a brody

Level 10

82,841 points

Jun 3, 2010 8:34 AM in response to Scott Raymond

Consider it a deterant against data loss. I wonder if an active Time Machine backup might be the cause.

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Answer 2

Scott Raymond Author

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Jun 3, 2010 8:49 AM in response to a brody

I'm not sure. I do have Time Capsule and use Time Machine but I think I was having this problem before I got the Time Capsule. I read on another post that Apple knows about this problem and may be fixing it in 10.6.4. It has been a problem since Snow Leopard came out. I think they would have provided a fix for it by now. I submitted a bug report a LONG time ago.

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Answer 3

a brody

Level 10

82,841 points

Jun 3, 2010 9:08 AM in response to Scott Raymond

I read on another post that Apple knows about this problem and may be fixing it in 10.6.4.

I kind of doubt anyone knows what 10.6.4, if it exists, will bring. A lot of stuff gets hyped up because of problem between keyboard and chair, additional software conflicting with said software, lemon issues within the system. Best to isolate the problem for what it is, and determine if there are contributing factors that can be ruled out.

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Answer 4

babowa

Level 9

78,097 points

Jun 3, 2010 10:05 AM in response to Scott Raymond

+It will say the file is in use and I either have to quit Mail or Secure Empty Trash.+

I agree with A. Brody re. the data loss deterrent - it may be annoying, but it is also helpful by forcing you to make sure you really want to delete it. I've noticed this behavior in more than one application - they all appear to do it.

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Answer 5

Scott Raymond Author

Level 2

150 points

Jun 4, 2010 1:27 PM in response to babowa

No, this is only for Mail. As soon as I add a file as an attachment then I cannot delete it without quitting mail or secure empty the trash. It isn't a data loss deterrent because you get that message making sure you want to delete it but when I say yes then it says the file is in use.

By the way, I shut off Time Machine for a day and then tried to delete a new file that I created after Time Machine was shut off that I added as an attachment to Mail and the same problem occurs. All other files that I do not add as an attachment in Mail I can delete with no problems.

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Answer 6

Jun 4, 2010 1:58 PM in response to Scott Raymond

Scott,

I am familiar that this issue, but currently cannot replicate it in 10.6.3 and Mail 4.2. What version are you using -- your info says only 10.6?

Where was the file before you attached and sent it?

Ernie

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Answer 7

Scott Raymond Author

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150 points

Jun 4, 2010 2:00 PM in response to Ernie Stamper

I am using 10.6.3 and Mail 4.2 but it has been happening since the start of 10.6.

It doesn't matter where the file is, it can be on my desktop or in a folder in my documents folder.

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Answer 8

babowa

Level 9

78,097 points

Jun 4, 2010 2:16 PM in response to Scott Raymond

Yours might be a different issue then because if I have, say, Preview open (not active, but open in the dock) and I want to empty the trash which contains a .pdf I had recently looked at, I cannot empty the trash until I quit Preview. But I've always assumed that to be just a regular "feaure" of the OS.

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Answer 9

Jun 4, 2010 2:24 PM in response to Scott Raymond

Scott,

Not sure it would matter, but are you using a POP or IMAP account for email?

The test I just made before the last post, was with a JPEG file saved to my Desktop, and dragged onto the Mail icon in the Dock. Do the same test with a JPEG from another folder, use Save As to save to the Desktop, and then attach.

Btw, have you Repaired Permissions recently?

Ernie

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Answer 10

Scott Raymond Author

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Jun 4, 2010 5:29 PM in response to Ernie Stamper

I've done all that and I repair permissions once a week.

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Answer 11

Scott Raymond Author

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Jun 4, 2010 5:29 PM in response to Ernie Stamper

I am using and IMAP account, MobilMe.

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Answer 12

elzee13

Level 1

4 points

Jun 10, 2010 9:46 AM in response to Scott Raymond

I am having the same exact issue. 10.6.3

No matter where the file is, if I send it as an attachment in mail, then move it to the trash, I cant empty the trash until i quit (or relaunch) mail.

It started with Snow Leopard. I noticed it the day I installed it on my MacBook, like 3 days after it's initial release.

It is very annoying.

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Answer 13

Scott Raymond Author

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150 points

Jun 10, 2010 10:46 AM in response to elzee13

Yes, I noticed this problem the day I installed Snow Leopard too which was a few days after the initial release as well.

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Answer 14

Jun 14, 2010 9:03 PM in response to Scott Raymond

has there been a solution found to this old post??

this came up in my google search attempt to find a fix for the problem.

after i send an attachment in mail, i then delete that file (say an image) from the desktop and send it to the trash. i cannot empty the trash until i quit mail because it says the file is in use.

very annoying.

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Answer 15

Scott Raymond Author

Level 2

150 points

Jun 15, 2010 4:59 AM in response to Ryan Beljan

No solution found yet. It is very annoying. I wish Apple would fix it.

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