Can't move files - The operation can’t be completed because the item is in use.

Have found an easy way to move files from computer to external drive: using ForkLift, FTP app, to move files. No problems whatsoever with "items in use" issue.

So far the forced stop on DiskUnmountWatcher has worked for the first files!

But I never realized it was something within Apple. I have formatted my harddisc and everything.

Please Apple fix this so we do not have to work around it anymore! Cause this is annoying to say the least!

The solution of Johnny with the temp folder is unclear to me. Can you Elaborate on it please? as the previous solution is not working anymore.

There is a workaround that does actually work, albeit it it is painful...

I have no idea why Apple hasn't fixed this.

I use SAMBA shares from a QNAP and if you try and copy multiple files to the QNAP then it fails pretty much every time.

the workaround is to create a folder in the location where all your local files are.

Then, move all the files into the folder.

Lastly, drag the folder itself over on to the share where you want to copy it.

Obviously when its gone across you can move the files out of the temp folder you created.

Not ideal but it works every time for me.

This is interesting. I don't have a "DiskUnmountWatcher" process running (OS X 10.10.3 / "Yosemite")

DoeJM, what version OS X are you running?

Thanks

I am running Yosemite 10.10.5 at the moment.

Plus downloading Forklift FTP as we speak, see if that helps.

This seems to be working for transfer from one external hard drive to another. I did have to change the sync settings to "update" after the first attempt failed when I simply unchecked the the files going the opposite direction. Thanks!

Hi Guys, try turning off the icon previews in the original location and the destination disk, I have had some success with this, in the case of mp4s finder is creating preview I think it maybe finder it self that is using the file (1st Frame) causing this issue, it should be noted this is just a theory at this point but it is an easy try and if all give it a shot and prove it, apple may be able to track a fix, this has been in the last few OS releases.

In my case, "Show icon preview" was already turned off in Finder. I also turned off "Show icons" but that didn't help either.

The only reliable way I've found to copy large files and/or many files FROM a local disk TO a mounted network share is to use the "cp" command in the terminal.

Hi Truthskunk

I guess that is the end of that theory, though it is working for me most of the time only once in awhile I get a fail, usually big files (1 gig plus) and also happens on photos though this is much rarer, some other stats, the drives I copy to are fat 32 format on a WD nas, is this consistent with others? this does not happen at all for me between other Mac formatted devices and drives on my network, also does not seem to happen to files not edited on the source device, also is this consistent with others?

All my network shares are formatted Reiser3 and shared via SMB so they're supposed to "smell like" Windows shares. I do this because they're consumed by both Windows and Mac machines.

It's interesting that you don't experience this issue with volumes shared by other Macs. I supposed these are formatted MacOS and shared via AFS. My NAS only supports Reiser3 formatting but I can share different ways (SMB or NFS with the current version). In order to share via AFS and "smell like" an Apple, I'd have to upgrade Slackware on my NAS. But I've been looking for an excuse to do that anyway so I'll give it a try when I get time and report back.

Good tip - something I haven't tried yet - thanks.

Hi truthskunk

No problems interested to see how this plays out we may be able to sort issue ourselves just need more input, I have shifted my NAS drives formatted fat 32 onto a mac mini as a server, I have left them as is just changed the host machine from WD to apple. Keeping in mind I have not had issue on apple equipment and apple formatted drives (HFS) Next step would be to change drives format (lot of effort) have tested putting file inside a folder and copying this seems to work, (not a lot of evidence though as have now changed conditions cant verify) pointing finger back at finder preview as previous theory.

I don't know if this will help or not. I have been suffering the same problem copying images to a Buffalo Linkstation Duo. During the process to try and sort it out, I happened to copy the files from my Mac Internal SSD to myAirport Time Capsule and back again. Following this the files then copied to the NAS with no problems at all. I still haven't figured out why. It may be a contributory factor, but I am suffering the "unknown user" in the permissions section of GetInfo on the Time Capsule.

Hope this helps some or all of the sufferers.

Following on from my previous post, I tried again, this time checking permissions at each stage. The interesting thing was that before I copied the files from my Mac HD My account had Read+Write, Staff had Read only and Everyone had read only. After copying to the TimeCapsule and back. All three accounts had Read+Write and again copied to the NAS with no problem. A quick experiment where I simply changed the permissions of a file on my MAC HD for Staff and Everyone to Read+Write showed that this solved the problem without needing to copy to the TimeCapsule and back.

Been fighting this issue primarily with MP4 and MKV files. I did not have either of the programs mentioned running, so that wasn't the issue. I was getting ready to try using CP in Terminal, but another post caught my eye.

I just moved the files into an untitled folder, then copied the folder over and finally removed the files from the folder at the other end. Not glamorous, but it seems to work and I can avoid Terminal.

Thank you Ombilgo1you are my hero! This did the trick when nothing else did.

<Edited by Host>

Hi

I've had the same problem but only since I upgraded to the latest El Capitan version. Tried about everything anyone suggested to no avail and guessed it had to do with one of the programs I recently bought. Still a nuisance. The programs concerned were quit, the files closed and saved, everything as it should be.

Finally found an easy solution.

Open trash, ctrl click on the offending file and on "delete immediately". Should this line be grayed out, first ctrl click on "put it back", pull it once again into the trash and then ctrl click on "delete immediately".

Still a bother to use a work around but at least it's easy and quick.