how do you delete files that say you can't delete them?

Move it to the desktop rather than copy it. Hold down ⌘ while dragging.

No there are no viruses of that type for Mac.

Do you know how to use Terminal? Try deleting it that way.

Open Terminal. Type

cd /Applications

to open the Applications directory. Type

ls

to list the contents of the Applications directory. Identify the file you want to remove and type

rm -i filename

Obviously replace 'filename' in the command above with the actual name of the file which will probably be something like Skype.app. Remember commands are case sensitive. If the filename has spaces in it precede the space with the backslash character '\'.

Of course it is, oops my bad!

Type

cd Skype.app

to enter the directory, and

ls

to see the contents. If the contents are 'Contents', then

cd Contents

to enter that directory.

Type

rm -i filename

for each file in the directory. If one is a directory then use 'cd' to enter it and 'ls' to view the contents of it, as above. Repeat as necessary.

When a directory is empty type

cd ..

to exit it and go down a level to the enclosing directory. Type

rmdir directoryname

to remove a directory. Remember you can only remove empty directories this way, you cannot remove a directory that still has files or subdirectories in it using this method.

sudo rm -Rf ~/.Trash/*

Be very careful with this command

hi, Ive been having similar problems ( I have a Mac Air btw ) . Tried unlocking the icon, but it just locks again. I dont understand why, I have the permission to read and write , but unable to alter it even if I wanted to know. Im really confused. Anyway the problem arised when I tried to upgrade, it would install and then reach as far as telling me to relaunch and then say, "Skype was unable to install the update because the old application can’t be overwritten." And when I try to delete it, it says "The item “Applications” can’t be moved to the Trash because it can’t be deleted." . And then I saw your response to someone with a similar problem and it didnt work. Do you think you have another solution for me?? 😟

"Applications", the folder, can't be moved to the Trash. The Skype application should be able to be moved to the Trash (if you're trying to install a newer version of Skype, it should just overwrite the file or ask you if you want to replace the app).

Not sure what's going on - are there other files that you're not able to trash?

Clinton

Grab a copy of CCleaner from the App Store or from this link: Download CCleaner from Piriform

Open the Application then click on 'Tools' on the left side.

Under 'Uninstall', find Skype then click 'Uninstall'.

Don't know if it will work, but it's worth a shot. If it still doesn't install, reboot into Safe Boot and see if you can delete it from there. Here's how to safe boot: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1455

It is the skype application i was trying to move to the trash and No Im not having any problems removing any other files.

But still a problem with the Skype application? You might want to try Christopher B's method of using CCleaner (I have it but I've never used it) or download a free utility such as AppCleaner to see if you can get rid of the app and its associated files.

Clinton

rm -rf (drag app onto terminal window)

If that doesn't work 🙂 try adding sudo before the command.