Can't Empty Trash

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Level 1

0 points

Can't Empty Trash

Hello,

I am currently using a 2009 Mac mini, and recently whenever I go to empty the trash, I keep getting this error: "The operation can’t be completed because you don’t have permission to access some of the items." This prevents me from emptying the trash and I can't delete anything at all. Has anyone experienced this problem and found a solution? I have tried restarting my computer many times, so don't give me that lame old response. Thank you to all that can help me.

Mac mini, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8)

Posted on Apr 25, 2013 12:38 PM

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Answer 1

Best reply

MiiCK

Level 1

120 points

Apr 25, 2013 12:42 PM in response to U4iA

Few ways you can do it..

Right click (or CTRL-click) the trash icon - Hold down the ALT key and click the Empty Trash

If that doesn't work, boot your mac into Safe Mode (Hold down SHIFT and turn your mac on) when you see a progress bar, let go of shift. Log into your user account and click the trash can to open it in Finder, then click the word Finder at the top left of the screen and select Secure Empty Trash.

Let us know if those work 🙂

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Answer 2

Paul_31

Level 6

14,160 points

Apr 25, 2013 12:58 PM in response to U4iA

Also useful info here on solving trash problems:

http://www.thexlab.com/faqs/trash.html#Anchor-About-47857

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Answer 3

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,547 points

Apr 25, 2013 3:19 PM in response to U4iA

1. Triple-click the line below to select it:

~/.Trash

2. Right-click or control-click the highlighted line and select

Services ▹ Show Info

from the contextual menu.* An Info dialog should open.

3. The dialog should show "You can read and write" in the Sharing & Permissions section. If that's not what it shows, click the padlock icon in the lower right corner of the window and enter your password when prompted. Use the plus- and minus-sign buttons to give yourself Read & Write access and "everyone" No Access. Delete any other entries in the access list.

4. In the General section, uncheck the box marked Locked if it's checked.

5. From the action menu (gear icon) at the bottom of the dialog, select Apply to enclosed items and confirm.

6. Close the Info window and test.

*If you don't see the contextual menu item, copy the selected text to the Clipboard ( command-C). Open a TextEdit window and paste into it ( command-V). Select the line you just pasted and continue as above.

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Answer 4

U4iA Author

Level 1

0 points

Apr 25, 2013 4:48 PM in response to U4iA

The problem somehow magically increased. I now cant transfer things on and off my hard drive. I have checked my Macantosh HD settins in the "Get Info" menus and all permissions are set to read and write. Should I just reformat my computer?

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Answer 5

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,547 points

Apr 25, 2013 6:49 PM in response to U4iA

It's normal to be prompted for a password when making changes to most folders outside your home folder. Inside your home folder, it's not normal. If you have changed the permissions of any system files, you should repair them in Disk Utility.

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Answer 6

Sep 6, 2013 9:07 AM in response to MiiCK

Thank you sir,

I finally erased my trash can.

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