Beware when you delete from the desktop

Question

Level 1

8 points

Beware when you delete from the desktop

Something for Mac users to be aware of. This has caught me out before. Beware if you have an open widow with a file selected (like you've opened it then closed it but not clicked off it). If you then decide to 'bin' some files from your desktop using the 'Command-back' keys, it will bin your selected file in the window, not the desktop files. A repeat of the same key command then deletes the desktop files – because the selected file in the window is now deselected but in the bin!

iMac 27″, macOS 12.6

Posted on Mar 25, 2023 5:19 AM

Reply

Answer 1

ku4hx

Level 7

23,622 points

Mar 26, 2023 2:54 PM in response to rojobe

The only time I've seen this happen is when I've neglected to removed the file's "focus", i.e. the file's name is still highlighted. macOS has no idea what you're thinking and you have to click somewhere on a desktop blank space to remove a file's focus. Otherwise, macOS still thinks the file is "active" and "in play".

Reply

Answer 2

rojobe Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 26, 2023 11:35 PM in response to ku4hx

Yes, but you would think that by selecting the files on the desktop without using the shift key, it would automatically deselect the file in the window. It would do this if I selected another file in the same window without the shift key.

Reply

Answer 3

Mar 27, 2023 1:04 AM in response to rojobe

Are you saying that in the situation shown in your screenshot, pressing Command-Delete would bin TCJ307.pdf, and not the selected files on the desktop?

I cannot reproduce it.

By pressing Command-Delete, whatever is active and selected (be it a file on the desktop or in a folder window) is sent to the trash.

Reply

Answer 4

rojobe Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 27, 2023 2:44 AM in response to Luis Sequeira1

It's ok, it's me being a F'wit... It's when I select multiple files on the desktop, so of course, I am holding the shift key. My apologies.

Reply

Quick Links

Beware when you delete from the desktop

Similar questions