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"there isn't enough free space" error

When trying to copy files to a flash drive, I keep getting an error message that says "the item "name" can't be copied because there isn't enough free space", when clearly there is plenty of disk space on both the hard drive of the computer and the currently empty flash drive. Is there a fix for this?

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.7.4)

Posted on Jul 14, 2012 2:58 PM

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Posted on Jul 14, 2012 3:00 PM

Agm95 wrote:


When trying to copy files to a flash drive, I keep getting an error message that says "the item "name" can't be copied because there isn't enough free space", when clearly there is plenty of disk space on both the hard drive of the computer and the currently empty flash drive. Is there a fix for this?

Have you emptied the trash with the Flash Drive plugged in?


Pete

16 replies
Question marked as Best reply

Jul 14, 2012 3:00 PM in response to Agm95

Agm95 wrote:


When trying to copy files to a flash drive, I keep getting an error message that says "the item "name" can't be copied because there isn't enough free space", when clearly there is plenty of disk space on both the hard drive of the computer and the currently empty flash drive. Is there a fix for this?

Have you emptied the trash with the Flash Drive plugged in?


Pete

Jul 14, 2012 3:44 PM in response to Agm95

Agm95 wrote:


Wow, I would have never figured that out, but it seems to be working. Thank you very much.

Hi, yes with any external device, when you drag something from it to trash, you need to empty the trash, or it will reappear in the trash can next time you attach it and you may think you have more free space, but in fact nothing has been deleted from it yet until the Trash is actually emptied.


God to see you are up and running.


Happy Computing.


Pete

Nov 7, 2013 5:23 PM in response to Agm95

I just ran into this issue moving around large VHD images. I found the cause to be local time machines backups. Time machine seems to keep backups on your local (i.e boot) drive by default, in addition to your nominated Time Machine drive. This is meant to be transparent and only consume free space, but clearly it's not smart enough to free the space when you actually need it.


If you launch the "System Information" utility, on the "Storage" tab you should see a large portion of your primary hard-disk consumed by "Backups".


To disable local time machine backups, run the folllowing at the terminal:


sudo tmutil disablelocal


This should immediately free up the space. If not, try running a Time Machine backup manually to kick it into gear. You may re-enable local Time Machine backups with the following:


sudo tmutil enablelocal


Hope this helps.


Tom

Dec 13, 2013 2:23 PM in response to Wardrop19

Hey guys,


None of this worked for me. I'm not sure if I'm doing it right. I know I'm not an idiot, but maybe I need detailed instructions. Been trying to copy very small video files (about 7-10MB each) onto a 2GB flash drive and I keep getting the error that says "The item cannot be copied because there is not enough free space." I've emptied my trash and tried the "Terminal" thing. Please help I've been at this all day and I want to throw my computer across the room!!!!!!!

May 30, 2014 9:55 AM in response to Agm95

I have a new SSD HD + my old HD in my mid 2009 MBP. Sudenly my old HD stopped working. I was told to erase it - and tried erasing it and getting the files back from backup. But I was also told that there was no enough space. This was an 500GB HD. I then bought a 1TB harddrive, but I'm told the same thing. There is not enough space. But then i notised that osx mavricks sees my harddrive as a "volume" folder under my SSD?!? I am now able copy the files back to my HD from the volume folder - so I have to get some GB's at the time for the backup, and then copy them to my HD ...


Attached is a photo of how osx backup sees the volume. User uploaded file

May 30, 2014 10:22 AM in response to Agm95

I navigated to /volumes - there was a folder called "Macintosh HD" and a HD with the same name. I deleted the folder. Now I'm able to transfer the files back to my new HD !! 😁 When I now tried to get files back from backup, it told me that the folder was there no more and asked me relocate the files. I chose "Yes" and chose the new HD .. and Wolah!! 🙂

Sep 24, 2016 1:21 AM in response to Wardrop19

What if the time machine is turned off and there is still this error of not enough space?

I want to transfer my pictures from the old mac (2 GB) to the new one (8 GB) where there is clearly more space as it is almost empty.

I have been trying different methods and it seems to copy originals (RAW) pictures from iPhoto, the best way is to use AirDrop but it still doesn't work. I have tried exporting pictures from iPhoto, connecting both macs to transfer all my files from the old one and Bluetooth.


I would appreciate your help on this as I am running out of ideas.


Many thanks,

Joanna

"there isn't enough free space" error

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