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Files deleted in macOS Big Sur Version 11.4 still showing months after deletion

I've deleted so many files and even cleared out the Trash after, but they keep coming back even months after deletion. How can this be stopped?

Mac Pro

Posted on Jun 29, 2021 2:51 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jun 29, 2021 5:29 PM

Sounds like something messed up the .Trash/ folder inside your home folder. Perhaps the permissions are incorrect, etc.


Open Finder and press Shift + CMD + . (period key) to toggle showing the hidden files and folders. You will then see .Trash listed. Drag and drop it to the Desktop.


Then hold CTRL + Option + CMD keys and right-click the Finder icon on the Dock and select Relaunch. The .Trash folder is a special folder and Finder will re-create it for you.


You should then be able to drag the .Trash file from the Desktop to the Trash. If you don't see it. Press the SHIFT + CMD + . (period key) again to toggle displaying hidden files and folders. Then Empty the Trash. It may take a while if there's a lot of files to delete.








2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jun 29, 2021 5:29 PM in response to oreo_peter

Sounds like something messed up the .Trash/ folder inside your home folder. Perhaps the permissions are incorrect, etc.


Open Finder and press Shift + CMD + . (period key) to toggle showing the hidden files and folders. You will then see .Trash listed. Drag and drop it to the Desktop.


Then hold CTRL + Option + CMD keys and right-click the Finder icon on the Dock and select Relaunch. The .Trash folder is a special folder and Finder will re-create it for you.


You should then be able to drag the .Trash file from the Desktop to the Trash. If you don't see it. Press the SHIFT + CMD + . (period key) again to toggle displaying hidden files and folders. Then Empty the Trash. It may take a while if there's a lot of files to delete.








Files deleted in macOS Big Sur Version 11.4 still showing months after deletion

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