can I selectively empty trash on usb stick without emptying desktop trash?

"Empty trash does not work on all memory sticks" Really?

Care to back that nonsense up with some examples?

Other posters here (petermac87, Barney, Old Toad) did not understand the OP's question and need to be more careful in posting.

No, we understood it completely, especially the part about not wanting to use Terminal.

I posted a link to a very viable solution that uses Automator to create a service which allows a simple way to selectively remove things from the Trash.

You should try reading for comprehension next time.

There is a simple, but slightly risky, way to do this. The Disk Utiity can format an external drive. It has the advantage that you can rename the stick and that you can choose the security level of the format. The times I want to clear the trash on a usb are when I want to send it off site or when it's getting fragmented and losing space to trash, the format works perfectly for these.

If you have files you want to keep, back them up to your Mac and put them back when you are done.

Luke Miller: So easy! Thank you! Great instructions! The drag n' drop makes it super fast and reduces risk of rm-ing wrong files. Wish I'd known this earlier. So many things you have to be able to do in Terminal! I have to get better at that.

I can only assume those who have replied with vitriol don't actually understand the issue, I thought it was a fair question.

I see it as a design flaw. Let's look at the steps.

> Plug in a a USB stick with 1000 files.

> Drag 1000 files to the trash

> USB stick shows no files

> Eject USB Stick

> Plug in USB stick

> OSX still shows no files

To assume those files have actually been removed from the USB stick is logical; but alas we all know Apple screwed this one up and they are still there, just hidden from view.

If this isn't a problem, then can someone explain the logic behind this design?

To the OP or anyone else who sees this as a handicapped way of doing things; the easiest method is to 'move' files from the USB stick to your desktop by dragging the file while holding down the cmd key - this will effectively delete the file from the USB drive and you can then drag it from your desktop to the trash.

Or you can just empty the trash, no 'workarounds' needed.

No.

The OP wants his external drive to behave the exact same way as his internal drive, which isn't possible with the current OS so actually a workaround is needed.

OP wants to move 1 file to the trash, it's no simpler than that. Your solution involves an extra step and involves an infinite number of other files.

Now that really is illogical. But if it works for you, that's great. For everyone else there's the option to move a file.

If you are one of those who use the trash can to store things I can only suggest that you examine your workflow a little more comprehensively.

"OP wants to move 1 file to the trash, it's no simpler than that. Your solution involves an extra step and involves an infinite number of other files"

Re: can I selectively empty trash on usb

stick without emptying desktop trash

You should also read the subject of this post again, maybe you will get it right after further study.

I don't think you understand how the trash can works and why it's designed that way. I would suggest brushing up on usability through design but I think it'd be over your head in all honesty.

The OP wants to know how to take things out of the trash and you think that the "OP wants to move 1 file to the trash"

A complete waste of time.

I'm guessing English is not your first language...

This is coming from the man who does not understand that taking something out of the trash and putting something in are not the same thing?

Thanks for the laugh.

Do you even know what day it is sir? Lol

jerboalegs wrote:

Do you even know what day it is sir? Lol

So far, Csound1's English has been better than yours. If you want to help people, fine. But impugning the intelligence other people who are trying to help is not acceptable. Adding a ridiculous "LOL" at the end doesn't make a comment any less rude. It just sounds puerile.

Lol @ meg