Can't delete MacOS Install Data folder from hard drive. OS 26.2

I have this folder, which is grayed out, on my HD and it's taking up over 3GB. I'd like to delete it. Every search I did says that this would be safe. I tired running the following command to delete it, but as you can see, it didn't work. Anyone know a way to do this?


Thanks.


sudo rm -R /System/Volumes/Data/macOS\ Install\ Data


Password:


override rw-r--r-- root/wheel restricted for /System/Volumes/Data/macOS Install Data/Locked Files/.disk_label_2x? y


rm: /System/Volumes/Data/macOS Install Data/Locked Files/.disk_label_2x: Operation not permitted


override -w-r-xr-- root/wheel restricted for /System/Volumes/Data/macOS Install Data/Locked Files/Boot Files? y


rm: /System/Volumes/Data/macOS Install Data/Locked Files/Boot Files: Operation not permitted


override rw-r--r-- root/wheel restricted for /System/Volumes/Data/macOS Install Data/Locked Files/.disk_label.contentDetails? yes


rm: /System/Volumes/Data/macOS Install Data/Locked Files/.disk_label.contentDetails: Operation not permitted


override rw-r--r-- root/wheel restricted for /System/Volumes/Data/macOS Install Data/Locked Files/.disk_label? y


rm: /System/Volumes/Data/macOS Install Data/Locked Files/.disk_label: Operation not permitted


override -w-r-xr-- root/wheel restricted,hidden for /System/Volumes/Data/macOS Install Data/Locked Files? y


rm: /System/Volumes/Data/macOS Install Data/Locked Files: Operation not permitted


rm: /System/Volumes/Data/macOS Install Data: Operation not permitted

MacBook Pro 16″, macOS 26.2

Posted on Dec 13, 2025 4:45 PM

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Can't delete MacOS Install Data folder from hard drive. OS 26.2

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