Red exclamation mark

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vikas-tyagi Author

Level 1

6 points

Red exclamation mark

Hi All,

I am facing a issue , where all my folders and files are now marked with red exclamation mark to them.

However i am able to open them and access files too. But how to get rid of these marks.

these are the changes i made before facing this issue. ( i was trying to clean my ram )

i installed CleanMyMacX from app store , it asked to get access for folders and files, i gave it , but later uninstalled the app.
Ran command sudo purge in terminal ( for clearing ram )
i installed the lastest update - Monterey 12.5.1

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 12.5

Posted on Aug 20, 2022 6:16 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

vikas-tyagi Author

Level 1

6 points

Aug 20, 2022 10:46 AM in response to steve626

Hi All,

I finally found the solution, it wasn't the cleanmymac but yes i can say its not worth using that why i uninstalled it within minutes. but after several hours started facing this issue.

tried uninstalling as per the developer guidance , then tried looking in icloud backup first ( forgot that i have 1 more active cloud )

it was pcloud. i just stopped backup of all folders and took a reeboot.

Thanks Steve and Philips for your time.

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Answer 2

PRP_53

Level 10

91,579 points

Aug 20, 2022 6:28 AM in response to vikas-tyagi

Any Third Party Applications that will interfere with the normal operation of the OS, is an invitation for disaster and comprising the Operating System

Certain Applications maybe available on the Apple Apps Store - this only means the Developer is prepared to pay Apple a portion on each sale. What the Application may do to the computer is up to the User to check this out before purchase

Any of the below should be removed as per Developers Instructions

This will include CleanMyMac aka " BrickMyMac " to coin another Contributors words

Do seriously suggest reading some of the many posting specific to this application and arrive at your own conclusions

Even after removing this ( kin to malware ) software, it may required booting into recovery Mode and choose the Reinstall macOS.

This may or may not replace and corrupted, damaged or removed elements of the OS that is software has inflected on the computer

The suggestions have been put forth on a volunteer basis, in good faith and in the best interests of the computer.

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Answer 3

steve626

Level 6

11,471 points

Aug 20, 2022 10:03 AM in response to vikas-tyagi

Read good advice from P. Philips, posted earlier.

Those exclamation points come from commercial software, usually. If you uninstalled anything like CleanMyMac, try uninstalling again using the uninstaller provided by the vendor. It must be completely uninstalled.

Some anti-virus software and backup software put those badges on folders indicating that they need to be backed up or some other issue. If you are using third party backup software, that is something to look into. You may be able to change some setting to get rid of them.

Any anti-virus or similar software, or other tools like CleanMyMac, should be completely uninstalled with the official uninstaller form the vendors.

In the future, best to allow the MacOS to operate with its built in tools and protections, efficiencies, etc. Imposing third party solutions may or may not work, but also frequently stop working after an update or upgrade. As you have apparently found out.

Next time you want to clear RAM, you can simply restart your Mac. That is cleaner and avoids problems.

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