Operation Can't be Completed Because Backup Items Can't be Modified (Not a Time Machine Volume)

This was also driving me completely crazy, and there is no way even with the best step-by-step instructions in the world I wanted to mess with anything using Terminal.

The good news is what I found worked was simplicity itself. Put the Time Machine app in the Dock if you haven't already got it there. Now right click and choose "Browse other Time Machine disks..." and it will search all your hard drives, external and internal for old backup files. It will bring up a list of all the old backups called "Choose Time Machine Disk to Browse" and from there you pick the one you want to modify. Time Machine will then take over your desktop as usual, and miraculously will show your old backup. Now you can right click whatever files or folders you want to delete and choose "Remove all instances..." to delete them easily and safely.

Hey, have been reading this. I'm using SL operating system. I know that you can delete backups thru time machine itself. I'm sure it would be the same in Lion. ENTER TIME MACHINE. Navigate to the backup you want to delete and then click the ACTION button in that backup window. Click DELETE BACKUP. Best way because it's easy and theres no confusing the TIME MACHINE!

Chris

**EDIT** Lol, didn't understand that it WASN'T a Time Machine drive. Sorry for the posting. Just edit'd cause i cant delete the post!

Correction: I subsequently foud that I could not delete ANY file through the finder (after repairing permissions with disk utility). After a mild freak-out, I calmed down and rebooted. Problem solved. Thanks!

MattDawg wrote:

Both reboot and relaunching finder were to no avail for me. I experience this issue with my TC. Any idea ?

I had the same problem, had to use the "Secure Empty Trash..." command off the Finder menu to get my trash emptied.

Thanks for the relaunch Finder tip! In my case this bug seems to have been triggered because I was using diskutil to verify my Time Machine volume at the time I was trying to remove a folder from one of my non-Time Machine volumes.

Anyway, relaunching the Finder solved the problem even with the volume check still running, so all's well once more!

I have the same problem. Want to delete files of "tmb" time macjine backup. Relaunch finder and reboot nothing. Same error. Can't delete. Want to free space so more room for backups in the future and renoved it from desktop so it won't bakcup anymore. But I can't delete it. I got 3tb hd for future. Just need to delete time machine some folders in the backup and can't.

Suggestion: I found using the normal "Force Quit" (option-command-esc) feature does not always reboot the finder properly.

Best and reliable way is to go to Activity Monitor, get the process ID (PID) for the Finder, launch the TERMINAL utility, and type KILL [FINDER-PID]. Double check the Finder's process ID. You don't want to kill something else accidentally.

I keep both the Activity Monitor and the Terminal app running all the time, because this method corrects a variey of other recurring Finder dysfunctions. If the finder is dysfunctioning, you don't want to be unable to launch either one of these utilities.

Ever day I hate my mac, iphone and ipad more and more.

Be it from iphone/pad constantly asking me to log into itunes store or requireing passwords to download apps, to safari stopping 1/2 way when loading pretty much every web page, and chrome does not, to mail's search only letting me type 1 or 2 letters before it removes the cursor from the search box and forces me to type with one finger and move my mouse over search and click to type a 2nd character.

The cracks in the apply dike are increasing on a regular basis and Steve Jobs is rolling in his grave.

I should not have to do anything when I want to delete something. When will Apple fix this? I am very tempted to move to a PC, after using Apple products all my life and despising PCs.

None of the solutions in the thread solved my problem including the terminal kill which appeared to work as the finder box opened and closed. Still would;d not allow deletion of files on back up disks. Any other solutions please?

Same here...

Just wanted to add that I just experienced the same thing. A restart did fix the problem as well, but this seems to be a recurring glitch.

Rebooting is not necessary, a relaunch of the finder will also do the trick. Annoying little bug though.

@jamie80, Thank you. Relaunching Finder worked for me.

Both reboot and relaunching finder were to no avail for me. I experience this issue with my TC. Any idea ?