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g_goldin Author

Level 1

4 points

Can't delete files in some directories

Hi everyone.

I've been having troubles for few months now, with my MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2012), macOS Catalina.

I'm trying to delete files in some directories, for example from the desktop, but I can't. What I do is: select "Move to trash" from the dropdown menu or cmd+delete but the file is still there. If I try from the console everything work as expected.

Sorry for any English mistakes, it'a not my mother language.

Thank you, Gloria

MacBook Pro 13", macOS 10.15

Posted on Jan 13, 2020 8:28 AM

Top-ranking reply

leroydouglas

Community+ 2024

Level 10

189,102 points

Posted on Jan 13, 2020 8:37 AM

Boot into Recovery (Command R) and from the dropdown menu: Utilities> Disk Utility> run the First Aid on your Macintosh HD (and the "Macintosh HD-Data" volume as well if Catalina) If errors are found and repaired, run again until no errors reported.

macOS Recovery: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204904

If no resolve—

To trouble shoot further you can:

Try a SafeBoot https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201262

Takes noticeable longer to get to the login screen, does a 5-15 minute disk repair before it fully boots up, and certain system caches get cleared and rebuilt, including dynamic loader cache, etc. Login and test. Reboot and test will take a little longer as caches get rebuilt.

This test will tell you if third party interference; extensions etc are not loaded in safe boot mode.

Test issue in another user (or guest user) account https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204443

This will tell you if it a universal issue or isolated to your user/admin account.

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Can't delete files in some directories

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