Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

I accidentally removed the trash can from the dock. Where do I find the trash app to put back on the dock

I accidently removed the trash can from the dock. Where do I find the trash app to put back on the dock?

I-Mac, Mac OS X (10.5.6)

Posted on Mar 3, 2013 10:36 AM

Reply
Question marked as Best reply

Posted on Mar 3, 2013 11:07 AM

The first thing you can try is to reset the Dock settings file to default settings, so the Trash should appear again on the Dock.


First, open Finder, select Go menu > Go to Folder and type ~/Library/Preferences. Then, delete "com.apple.dock.plist", open Terminal and type:


killall Dock


Finally, the Dock will reopen and the Trash should be there. If not, you may need to reinstall OS X

12 replies
Question marked as Best reply

Mar 3, 2013 11:07 AM in response to Robert Hodson

The first thing you can try is to reset the Dock settings file to default settings, so the Trash should appear again on the Dock.


First, open Finder, select Go menu > Go to Folder and type ~/Library/Preferences. Then, delete "com.apple.dock.plist", open Terminal and type:


killall Dock


Finally, the Dock will reopen and the Trash should be there. If not, you may need to reinstall OS X

Mar 4, 2013 3:06 AM in response to Robert Hodson

I accidently clicked moved the trash that caused it to be deleted.


I don't understand what that means. You should not be able to move the trash can icon on the Dock. It is always at the right side of the Dock (or bottom if you have the Dock on the side of the screen), and cannot be moved, nor can it be dragged off the Dock in the same manner as other Dock icons. There is also no "Remove from Dock" item in the contextual menu that appears when you control-click the trash icon, unlike other Dock icons. So what, exactly, did you do? What exactly did you click? Details are important.

Apr 17, 2013 6:43 AM in response to Robert Hodson

See if this helps.


1. Quit all running applications.

2. Click on the Desktop.

3. Select the word 'Go' from the mfinder's menu bar (while holding down the 'option' key) and select 'Library'.

4. In the Library Finder window select the word "Preferences'.

5. In Preferences find the files with 'com.apple.dock. In their names, highlightly them and riright click to 'Move to Trash'.

6. Reboot and see the Trash can is back into your Dock.


Good Luck.

Apr 17, 2013 6:54 AM in response to tabazzzco

tabazzzco wrote:


There is also no "Remove from Dock" item in the contextual menu that appears when you control-click the trash icon, unlike other Dock icons.


That must have changed with ML because it happened to me too. Instead of clicking on "Empty trash", I accidentally clicked on "Remove from Dock", and I have no clue how to get it back.


No. I am running Mountain Lion 10.8.3 and cannot drag the Trash icon out of the dock, nor do I get the Remove from Dock option when I right click the Trash icon. I am also running as an administrator. Something else is goin on with your system.

Jun 4, 2013 6:48 PM in response to Robert Hodson

I know this is pretty old but I wanted to add this for anyone else who might come across this thread.


I have PathFinder on my system and there is an option to add the "Remove from Dock" contextual menu items to the Finder and Trash. I accidetally removed the Trash icon, and to get it back do this:


1. Open Terminal.app from the "Utilities" folder in the main Applications folder. Or simply open Launchpad or Spotlight and start typing Terminal.

2. Copy and paste the below command exactly, be very careful with Terminal as it can cause terminal damage to your computer if used incorrectly.


killall Dock


Your Desktop background may flash and the Dock will disappear and will repear after a short pause.

You should now have your Finder and Trash icons back.


Hope this helps,

xeni

I accidentally removed the trash can from the dock. Where do I find the trash app to put back on the dock

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple ID.