Transfering files from disk: ERROR CODE -43, empty bin: The operation can’t be completed because the item “file name” is in use.

Hello,

When I try to transfer files from an ExFAT drive to another disk or to my MacBook, I keep encountering the following error:

"The operation can’t be completed because one or more required items can’t be found. (Error code -43)"

If I transfer the files individually, the copying usually completes without issues. However, since there’s a massive number of files, I can’t do this for every single folder.


I’ve tried repairing the disk with the utility app and transferring the files in safe mode on my Mac… Nothing works. Any ideas on what could be causing the problem?


Additionally, some files that were deleted from the drive can’t be permanently removed from the trash, as I get the following error:

"The operation can’t be completed because the item 'file name' is in use."

(The files aren’t actually in use.)

Can anyone please help?


Thank you for your help.


Best regards.

T


MacBook Air 13″, macOS 15.1

Posted on Dec 7, 2024 4:23 AM

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2 replies

Dec 7, 2024 5:42 AM in response to lunja21

When you mount a drive and you do not add it to System Settings > Spotlight > Privacy panel, the drive will be in use as Spotlight is indexing it. It will be in use as long as any process is attempting to access files on it. I couldn't eject an exFAT drive until I did add it to Spotlight Privacy.


You can add it to the Spotlight Privacy mentioned above, exit System Preferences, and reboot the Mac. That may resolve the -43 error since Spotlight cannot access it.


What is the format of the destination drive and if also a mounted device, do you have write privileges to it?

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Transfering files from disk: ERROR CODE -43, empty bin: The operation can’t be completed because the item “file name” is in use.

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