Can Not Empty The Trash Named "Previous Content" Folder

Hi cwong668,

Glad that you were able to resolve the issue! If this issue pops up again in the future, and the folder isn't in an area protected by System Integrity Protection, you can force-delete it without erasing your Mac:

1. Open Terminal, which is located in the Utilities folder inside the Applications folder.
2. Type rm -rf (don't press Enter / Return just yet)
3. Add a space, then drag the folder into the Terminal window. Hit Enter (Return).

If the above steps don't work, follow these additional steps:

1. If you are not an administrator, type su - administrator (replace administrator with a real admin account name) and hit Enter (Return). Type the account's password, then hit Enter (Return).
2. Highlight the previous rm command and press Command-C to copy it.
3. Type sudo (then add a space)
4. Press Command-V to paste the previous rm command. Hit Enter (Return)
5. Type your password, then hit Enter (Return). If you completed the first additional step, type the administrator password instead.
6. The folder should now be deleted.

Hello cywong668,

Thank you for using Apple Support Communities! I understand from the information you provided that you’re unable to empty the trash on your Mac; I'd like to help.

The following support article provides some troubleshooting steps to try for this behavior:

If you can't empty the Trash on your Mac

Hope this helps.

Best Regards.

cywong668,

Thanks for getting back to us. The process of repairing your disk is a pretty quick and simple process. While there is no option to repair just the trash fiolder, this process is the next best steps to try.

Best Regards.

Where was the "Previous Content" folder located before you put it in the Trash?

If you open Terminal.app (located in /Applications/Utilities) and try the following and tell us what are the results:

cd ~
ls -lae@

You can select the output and copy it with Command+c and then post it in a reply with Command+v -- be careful of posting any personal info (change names if needed but don't change important content).

Good luck...

i have deleted the folder and the files by reformat the hard drive and install a new version of os ... this is not the best way but it is a sure way to delete the "Previous Content" folder and it takes time...

thanks and cheers,

cywong668,

Thanks for the update. If you’re still unable to unable to empty the trash, reach out to Apple for further assistance:

Contact Apple Support

Best Regards.