Q: Trash application is locked.

Try using Disk Utility and running Verify Disk Permissions.

I had a similar issue and doing a Repair Disk Permissions resolved it.

The Trash folder you are having a problem with is local to your user account. A Permissions repair will not touch it. Before you try this, try just restarting and see if that fixes it. Also try holding down the Option/Alt key while emptying the Trash

If the above doesn't work, this should fix it. Read the following very carefully:

You must be 100% certain you have entered the command below EXACTLY as written. One typo and you could lose all the data in your user. Copy/paste only and TRIPLE check it's entered properly in Terminal.

The -f option will force empty and delete immediately. No questions. (rm is remove/delete, -r is everything inside the folder, -f is force, no questions)

Copy/paste this command into Terminal, in Utilities. You will be asked for your admin password, which won't appear as you type it in. (If you have never used sudo before in Terminal, you will get a warning. Proceed anyway.) Then hit return.

sudo rm -rf ~/.Trash

There is a single space between sudo and rm

                                          "          rm and -rf

                                          "        -rf and ~/.Trash

NO SPACES IN ~/.Trash

It may take a while, depending on how many items are being deleted. You'll know it's done when you get a new $ sign prompt. Then log out and back in in order to get a new Trash folder.

Please carefully read Solving Trash Problems article and follow each step until the problem is resolved.

First, never use the shell (Terminal) to delete files. That's the worst of all the dangerous, irresponsible, computer-illiterate fake advice that circulates on this site, and it usually doesn't work.

There is not, and never was, a Trash application. The Trash is emptied by the Finder.

Relaunch the Finder, then from the Finder menu bar, select

          Finder ▹ Preferences... ▹ Advanced

and uncheck the box marked

          Empty Trash securely

Try again to empty the Trash.

Not sure if it'll work in your given situation, but I've had great luck with TrashIt:

http://mac.brothersoft.com/trash-it.html

BS to everything you've written, especially

and it usually doesn't work.

I have never seen it not work.

There is not, and never was, a Trash application. The Trash is emptied by the Finder.

Who ever said it was an application? There is an invisible Trash folder in the User (~/.Trash). I wrote folder, not application. Put your glasses on and, while you're at it, get off your high horse. You're ready to fall off.

If the OP follows my directions carefully, there should be no problem. I gave sufficient warning and went to great lengths to make it crystal clear exactly how to do this so there will be no data loss.

Who ever said it was an application?

The original poster, in the topic of this thread and in the first sentence of the first post. Check your local community college for adult literacy classes.

Linc Davis wrote:

 

Who ever said it was an application?

The original poster, in the topic of this thread and in the first sentence of the first post. Check your local community college for adult literacy classes.

Vastly more important: you should try looking in the mirror sometime. Skip it; your head is too big for that.