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

When attempting to move a file from an external disk to the trash, via the Finder, I receive the warning message "The operation can't be completed because backup items can't be modified." I can not move the item to the trash. I can delete the file using the rm command via Terminal. I would like to be able to delete items from this disk, using the Finder again.


I noticed this problem shortly after upgrading from OS X 10.7 to 10.7.1.


I did see the other discussions about similar problems on Time Machine disks. This external disk, which I am trying to delete from, has never been my Time Machine disk, nor has it ever been backed up via Time Machine. I do have another external disk that is used for Time Machine


There are no problems reported by the "verify disk" function in Disk Utility.


Thank you for your time.

iMac, Mac OS X (10.7)

Posted on Aug 23, 2011 8:36 PM

Reply
25 replies

Jun 30, 2012 1:16 AM in response to mike693

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!

Dec 21, 2012 11:33 AM in response to mike693

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.

Feb 2, 2013 11:09 AM in response to LaraCroft_NYC

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.

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

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