User profile for user: rodipava
rodipava Author
User level: Level 1
8 points

Deleted users folder contains half-transparent user, which I can't delete

I want to delete the user in deleted users folder. It doesn't appear in System Preferences-Users. It appears in deleted users folder as a folder which is half-transparent (see picture)



I suggest it appeared when I migrated from my old Mac and the first attempt failed. Maybe this folder appeared then.


When trying to delete it straight form Finder, the failure message appears, that some of those files are needed by MacOS system. Please help me to delete it, it takes enormous 111Gb on my hard drive.


Thanks in advance!


MacBook Pro with Touch Bar

Posted on Apr 14, 2020 12:18 PM

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User profile for user: Kappy
Kappy
User level: Level 10
362,007 points

Posted on Apr 14, 2020 12:38 PM

Have you tried rebooting the computer in Safe Mode, then trying to delete the folder?


About Using Safe Mode



Boot Into Safe Mode


  1. If your Mac isn’t already shut down, then shut it down and wait at least 30 seconds before rebooting.
  2. Immediately, at or before the chime, press and hold down the SHIFT key. 
  3. Release the key after the Apple logo and progress bar appear.
  4. Safe mode startup is much slower than normal startup, so be patient.
  5. When the Login Screen appears enter your admin password.


Another way to try is to open the Terminal in the Utilities folder. Enter these two command lines at the Terminal's prompt. Do this after you reboot the computer.


cd /

^ note space

sudo rm -rf /Users/deleted\ users

^ ^ ^ ^ note spaces


Press RETURN after each command. Enter your admin password when prompted. It will not echo to the window. Press RETURN again.



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Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: Kappy
Kappy
User level: Level 10
362,007 points

Apr 14, 2020 12:38 PM in response to rodipava

Have you tried rebooting the computer in Safe Mode, then trying to delete the folder?


About Using Safe Mode



Boot Into Safe Mode


  1. If your Mac isn’t already shut down, then shut it down and wait at least 30 seconds before rebooting.
  2. Immediately, at or before the chime, press and hold down the SHIFT key. 
  3. Release the key after the Apple logo and progress bar appear.
  4. Safe mode startup is much slower than normal startup, so be patient.
  5. When the Login Screen appears enter your admin password.


Another way to try is to open the Terminal in the Utilities folder. Enter these two command lines at the Terminal's prompt. Do this after you reboot the computer.


cd /

^ note space

sudo rm -rf /Users/deleted\ users

^ ^ ^ ^ note spaces


Press RETURN after each command. Enter your admin password when prompted. It will not echo to the window. Press RETURN again.



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Deleted users folder contains half-transparent user, which I can't delete

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