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Delete InstallESD.dmg

I downloaded a Catalina install for a friend's laptop.

I'm on a iMacPro running Big Sur.

Did not allow the download to install, just downloaded it.

Now... I can't delete the **** thing!

I get various messages for every process I've tried...

"in use"

"not permitted"

"required by MacOS", etc.

I've attempted to delete in the Finder, in Terminal, in SafeBoot.

I've given Terminal full disk access, and still receive the error "directory not empty". Attempt to delete the .dmg... zip.


I'm up-to-date w/ Big Sur, yet this thing is wasting my time!


Anyone have a real solution?

Posted on May 5, 2021 12:43 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on May 5, 2021 12:51 PM

  1. Boot into Recovery Mode.
  2. Run csrutil disable in the Terminal.
  3. Restart
  4. Delete the file
  5. Boot into Recovery Mode again
  6. Run csrutil enable in the Terminal
  7. Restart.

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Delete InstallESD.dmg

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