Orion W

Q: Files stuck in trash

I have several files stuck in my trash can, and emptying does not remove them. What can I do to make them go away?

Mountain Lion, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.1)

Posted on Aug 29, 2012 2:02 AM

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Q: Files stuck in trash

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  • by Brett@Userland,

    Brett@Userland Brett@Userland Sep 24, 2012 9:55 PM in response to Orion W
    Level 2 (155 points)
    Sep 24, 2012 9:55 PM in response to Orion W

    Try Plugging in a blank USB flash drive (there is stuff on it move it onto your computer), move the files onto the USB then either Erase or Reformat the USB (Disk utility/Select USB/Erase or Partition

  • by Orion W,

    Orion W Orion W Sep 24, 2012 9:58 PM in response to Brett@Userland
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 24, 2012 9:58 PM in response to Brett@Userland

    I was able to copy the files to the USB stick, but not move them

  • by Brett@Userland,

    Brett@Userland Brett@Userland Sep 24, 2012 10:54 PM in response to Orion W
    Level 2 (155 points)
    Sep 24, 2012 10:54 PM in response to Orion W

    When you move the files to the USB Hold Down The Command Key

  • by Imp68,

    Imp68 Imp68 Sep 25, 2012 3:14 AM in response to Orion W
    Level 4 (2,633 points)
    Sep 25, 2012 3:14 AM in response to Orion W

    Try it from safe mode.  Boot holding shift, and let go when you see the apple/gear/bar.

  • by OnMission,

    OnMission OnMission Feb 17, 2013 6:59 PM in response to Imp68
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 17, 2013 6:59 PM in response to Imp68

    Ok... so I have had lots of stuff stuck in the trash over the years, but never like this. Your mention of booting from "Safe Mode" to delete was never one I had thought of before. Heres what I had to do:

     

    1) Boot from Safe Mode using Shift Key --- Thank you "Imp69"!

    2) Locate the file in the trash. If you files does not contain "Package Contents" you can skip to "step 4."

    3) Control-Click (A.K.A. Right-Click or Two-Finger Click) the file and choose "Show Package Contents."

    4) Make sure any and all files have "Read & Write" permissions for everyone.

    4.1) Select each problem file and hit "comand-i", or Control-Click and choose "Get Info."

    4.2) Unlock the little lock icon at the bottom-right corner under "Sharing & Permissions"

    4.3) Make sure everyone listed under the Name column under "Sharing & Permissions" has "Read & Write" preivilege. (Don't worry... your trashing it anyway).

    5) Once all potential-problem files have had their privilage/permissions changed to "Read & Write," Control Click the Trash icon, hold down the Option key while choosing "Empty Trash".

     

    Finished!

     

    This had been stuck for so long I said "Thank you Jesus!" when it worked, and rather quickly I might add. Terminal Comands didn't work, moving the files did work... nothing worked, except the directions above.

     

    I hope these steps help keep a lot more hair on our heads! Thanks team for the help!

  • by YYR123,

    YYR123 YYR123 Oct 6, 2013 7:09 PM in response to OnMission
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Oct 6, 2013 7:09 PM in response to OnMission

    I like it...thanks.

  • by jemfromparkville,

    jemfromparkville jemfromparkville Apr 30, 2015 4:22 AM in response to boisebimmer
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 30, 2015 4:22 AM in response to boisebimmer

    Thanks. This did the trick.

  • by PeterNSteinmetz,

    PeterNSteinmetz PeterNSteinmetz Aug 18, 2016 8:40 AM in response to Orion W
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Aug 18, 2016 8:40 AM in response to Orion W

    Directory not empty looks a lot like the -f option was not included. That option forces deletion of non-empty directories.

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