Couldn't locate the file "install macOS big sur.app" to delete it because it failed download

I tried finding solutions on this forum, and it told me to find the file in Library/Applications or using Launchpad, but because the download isn't completed, there is no file yet. And worse, everytime I tried to download the update again it keeps eating up my storage, even if it failed. So now I'm left with less and less storage.

MacBook Air 11″, macOS 10.14

Posted on Oct 2, 2023 11:42 PM

Reply
3 replies

Oct 3, 2023 12:24 AM in response to christine181295

christine181295 Said:

"Couldn't locate the file 'install macOS big sur.app' to delete it because it failed download: I tried finding solutions on this forum, and it told me to find the file in Library/Applications or using Launchpad, but because the download isn't completed, there is no file yet. And worse, everytime I tried to download the update again it keeps eating up my storage, even if it failed. So now I'm left with less and less storage."

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Report back the results....


Downloading and Using the macOS Installers:


A. Change the Download Location to Desktop:

  1. Open: Safari
  2. Click: Settings menu
  3. Click: General
  4. Click: File download location
  5. Select: Other...
  6. Select: Desktop (towards the top-left corner of the screen)
  7. Click: Select command button


B. Create a New Administrator User:

For troubleshooting purposes, create a new Administrator user. Then, log in to it, seeing if you can successfully download and install the update. Trash this use, once the install has completed.

Oct 3, 2023 3:28 PM in response to christine181295

christine181295 Said:

"Couldn't locate the file 'install macOS big sur.app' to delete it because it failed download: I didn't use safari to download the update, I use system update directly. So even if I change the location it didn't change anything. This download is for software update.

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Create a New Administrator User to Update:

For troubleshooting purposes, create a new Administrator user. Then, log in to it, seeing if you can successfully download and install the update. Trash this use, once the install has completed.

Couldn't locate the file "install macOS big sur.app" to delete it because it failed download

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