Unable to empty trash "Can't delete “_ImagesItems” because its pathname is too long."

I have an issue in which my Mac creates numerous duplicate files such that "Some_file" is duplicated as "Some_file 2". I regularly need to delete these "* 2" files. I've wiped the mac to the ground and reinstalled the OS and only replaced the data. I used the disk utility on the mac and the external back-up drive. No issues.


Unfortunately, I'm stuck with one file that won't "empty from trash". I get the error, "Can't delete “_ImagesItems” because its pathname is too long."


I posted https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/412996/folder-wont-delete-from-trash-for-cant-delete-imageitems-because-its-pathn


I tried rm -rvf ~/.Trash/*, but that didn't work either.


When I expand the folder, it just keeps going and going and going. The timestamp of the new folders in the past although, some folders then update to "now".


If I put the folder back, it shows up in the iCloud section.


When I go to the trash, and find the one culpret, I get an endless expanding directory structure

Posted on Feb 22, 2021 4:06 PM

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Unable to empty trash "Can't delete “_ImagesItems” because its pathname is too long."

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