File that cannot be deleted

I am an admin user and the only user.

When I try to empty the trash I get the following message for each of the numerous files.

“xfs” can’t be modified or deleted because it’s required by macOS.

The files are all in a folder labeled "bin" which is currently in the Trash. All of the other files in the Relocated file folder were deleted.

I have attached a screenshot of the open folder in the trash and the get info window as requested.

Files that are part of the OS are contained on a Volume Macintosh HD. That Volume is Read Only and should not, nor can be altered, moved, removed, modified nor attempted to do the afore mentioned. Doing so can corrupt the OS to the point of having to Reinstall the OS and all programs setting etc.

Plus, what one is asking for could be considered against the Rules of the ASC Forums - hacking the OS.

In my case the files in question are all aliases of files that were relocated after a system update. trash will no let me delete them even though they are no longer part of the OS files.

Any advice regarding this problem?

Hey esidoti!

The Relocated Items folder on the Desktop, which is a shortcut to /Shared/ folder, should give you permissions to the files. Are you an admin user? Likewise, is there a particular error message when trying to delete the files or empty the Trash? Such as a permissions error?

I know in some cases, the only way to get rid of a file if protected is to disable the system security, which I wouldn’t recommend for something not vital. In those cases, I’d just keep the OS up to date.

If it is a file that’s simply blocked by the system security, I believe you can run a command while in Mac OS Recovery only, to delete the file, without having to disable the security. (Again, this is if the file(s) are not on the “read only” Macintosh HD volume.

Is this file already in the Trash? Can you take a screen shot of it, as well as right click > Get Info, and expand all of the sections on the left side of the Get Info window? And also, a specific error message would help.

You do not. If it's required by macOS then that is what it means and you should leave it.

Can you share what file exactly you are concerned about?

What is being shown is a Alias to a files contained in the Trash Bin on iCloud and not on you actual Internal Drive

I understand that. However I am unable to delete the aliases.

Since it is an Alias and occupies almost zero space - and points to a non-existent file - leave it alone.

Or Log into your iCloud at www.icloud.com and Empty the Trash Bin in iCloud.