unnecessary files on flash drive

Just click on the Trashcan & empty i.

I wonder, but can't remember if this stops the silly DS_Store files on a Flah drive...

To configure a Mac OS X user account so that .DS_Store files are not created when interacting with a remote file server using the Finder, follow the steps below.
Note: This will affect the user's interactions with SMB/CIFS, AFP, NFS, and WebDAV servers.
1 Open the Terminal.
2 Type: or paste...

defaults write com.apple.desktopservices DSDontWriteNetworkStores true

3 Press Return.
4 Restart the computer.

You're probably seeing those files because you're using the drive with a PC. As Niel says, those are files used as part of the OSX directory functions. You can delete what you want but realize then that when you put the drive back on a Mac some things may have changed. If you get rid of trashes you may have permanently deleted files you put in the trash. If you get rid of ds_store files you may have to re-adjust settings on a folder.

I usually take care of emptying trash on drives before I unplug them from my Mac. After that those odds and ends files are so small compared to the space on a drive that I usually just leave them.

For most drives, the Trash will be in the Dock Icon when they're mounted.

If not I'd get EasyFind...

http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/11076

Use it to search that whole flash drive for files & folders, case insensitive & show invisibles...

trash

trebber wrote:
all I see in the dock is the standard trash can, not one dedicated for the flash. Maybe I'll try the software.

That the one. The dock trash can combines all trash cans on your system into one display. When you empty the dock trash can, you empty all trash cans for you userid. So, the finder will empty the trash can on your flash drive(s). You have to have the flash drive mounted (appearing on your desktop).

Robert

The .DS_Store file stores information about the other items in that folder. The .Trashes folder is used for any items currently in the Trash which reside on that drive.

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