Can't move/delete files on desktop (Error code -50)

I moved some files from my Dropbox to my desktop, these files were images but this time they wouldn't show a preview. I tried to delete them but I get the following message:

"The operation can’t be completed because an unexpected error occurred (error code -50)"

I can't move these files anywhere else, or open them. I can't do anything really. Is like some sort of "ghosts" files. I've tried restarting my laptop, but nothing seems to work. Is just annoying to have a cluttered desktop with a bunch of useless files.

What can I do?

Thank you

MacBook Pro (M2 Pro, 2023)

Posted on May 10, 2023 9:13 AM

Top-ranking reply

Barney-15E

Level 10

122,540 points

Posted on May 12, 2023 12:43 PM

The lack of a preview icon isn't that abnormal, but the lack of the Preview in Get Info makes me think there is something wrong with the file.

The only thing I can think of is running First Aid on your drive.

I would do it from Recovery. In Disk Utility, select the Data volume for you startup drive and run First Aid on it.

Since it is not the actual startup volume, you could just run First Aid from normal boot, but you may have files in use.

View in context

Similar questions

4 replies

Top-ranking reply

Barney-15E

Level 10

122,540 points

May 12, 2023 12:43 PM in response to Juan M89

The lack of a preview icon isn't that abnormal, but the lack of the Preview in Get Info makes me think there is something wrong with the file.

The only thing I can think of is running First Aid on your drive.

I would do it from Recovery. In Disk Utility, select the Data volume for you startup drive and run First Aid on it.

Since it is not the actual startup volume, you could just run First Aid from normal boot, but you may have files in use.

Barney-15E

Level 10

122,540 points

May 12, 2023 9:08 AM in response to Juan M89

Get info on them and see if there is anything odd in the sharing and permission section. That wouldn’t normally cause that error but it might give a clue as to what’s wrong.

Old Toad

Level 10

216,000 points

May 12, 2023 1:13 PM in response to Juan M89

There seems to a bit of a discrepancy here. The

The top of the Info pane says it should be a 1.6 MB image file but the size below is only 4 KB. Dropbox is not letting you copy the entire file to your Desktop.

Juan M89 Author

Level 1

4 points

May 12, 2023 9:25 AM in response to Barney-15E

Thanks, I did look into it, and nothing seems out of the ordinary. I tried messing with the settings a bit and nothing seems to work. Im attaching an screenshot.

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

Can't move/delete files on desktop (Error code -50)