mumakins

Q: Since upgrading to El Capitan I am not able to put items in the trash, I can only permanently delete them.  Help!

Since upgrading to El Capitan I am not able to put items in the trash, I can only permanently delete them.  Help!  When I right click on an item the only option is to move to trash (permanently delete is not even on the menu as promised it would be), and when I choose to put in the trash I get the warning that it will be permanently deleted ok or cancel.  Even when I try to drag and drop in the trash I the only option is the warning to permanently delete.  From all that I have read on the support discussions this is not supposed to happen and no else has posted a similar issue.  Please advise on how I can fix this problem.  There are many items I choose to leave in the trash for a time before emptying.  Thank you!

MacBook Air (13-inch Mid 2012), Other OS, OSX 10.11 El Capitan

Posted on Oct 8, 2015 5:05 AM

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Q: Since upgrading to El Capitan I am not able to put items in the trash, I can only permanently delete them.  Help!

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  • by Linc Davis,Helpful

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Oct 8, 2015 12:06 PM in response to mumakins
    Level 10 (207,926 points)
    Applications
    Oct 8, 2015 12:06 PM in response to mumakins

    Are the items you're deleting in your home folder? If not, where are they?

  • by VikingOSX,

    VikingOSX VikingOSX Oct 8, 2015 11:20 AM in response to mumakins
    Level 7 (20,618 points)
    Mac OS X
    Oct 8, 2015 11:20 AM in response to mumakins

    The Secure Empty Trash menu item and functionality have been removed from El Capitan. There is no assurance or time estimate when, or if it will return. There is a command-line, Terminal command that also can perform a secure empty erase, but in the wrong hands or skill set, could introduce more damage than solution.

  • by Topher Kessler,

    Topher Kessler Topher Kessler Oct 8, 2015 11:28 AM in response to mumakins
    Level 6 (9,866 points)
    Oct 8, 2015 11:28 AM in response to mumakins

    Here is how to fix this problem:

     

    1. Open the Terminal (in Macintosh HD > Applications > Utilities)

     

    2. Run the following command (copy and paste the entire line from here):

     

    sudo rm -rf ~/.Trash
    

     

    3. Supply your password when prompted (it will not show when typed).

     

    When done, try trashing the files again. If all is good, then you should be squared away. This approach will delete the hidden Trash folder in your account that is used to store trashed items. If its not accessible, the system will delete files immediately rather than store them in the trash. By removing this folder, the system will recreate it, which will have it in a state that makes it usable again.

  • by Linc Davis,

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Oct 8, 2015 12:01 PM in response to mumakins
    Level 10 (207,926 points)
    Applications
    Oct 8, 2015 12:01 PM in response to mumakins

    Never use the shell (Terminal) to empty the Trash. It's dangerous and unnecessary, and it usually doesn't work.

  • by mumakins,

    mumakins mumakins Oct 8, 2015 12:08 PM in response to Linc Davis
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 8, 2015 12:08 PM in response to Linc Davis

    Hi, thank you so much for responding.

    The items are on my desktop.  (If there is any way to avoid using terminal, I would prefer not to attempt going that route). 

     

  • by leroydouglas,

    leroydouglas leroydouglas Oct 8, 2015 12:21 PM in response to mumakins
    Level 7 (22,894 points)
    Notebooks
    Oct 8, 2015 12:21 PM in response to mumakins

    Create a new trash directory:

     

    http://www.thexlab.com/faqs/trash.html

  • by Linc Davis,

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Oct 8, 2015 1:33 PM in response to mumakins
    Level 10 (207,926 points)
    Applications
    Oct 8, 2015 1:33 PM in response to mumakins
    If there is any way to avoid using terminal, I would prefer not to attempt going that route

    Very wise. There are legitimate uses for the shell, but this isn't one of them.

    1. Triple-click anywhere in the line below on this page to select it:

    ~/.Trash

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

              Services Show Info in Finder (or just 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 by pressing the key combination command-C. Open a TextEdit window and paste into it (command-V). Select the line you just pasted and continue as above.

  • by mumakins,

    mumakins mumakins Oct 8, 2015 4:37 PM in response to Linc Davis
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 8, 2015 4:37 PM in response to Linc Davis

    Hello again,

    Ok I followed the instructions, although I had to use TextEdit to complete the task.  Unfortunately #5 "action menu" doesn't offer the 'apply to enclosed items" my only option is to revert.  I tested the trash and it still doesn't work.  I pasted a screen shot below.  Without that function how can I 'apply to enclosed items'.  Your information is appreciated!!  Thank you!Screen Shot 2015-10-08 at 7.32.05 PM.png

  • by Linc Davis,

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Oct 8, 2015 5:34 PM in response to mumakins
    Level 10 (207,926 points)
    Applications
    Oct 8, 2015 5:34 PM in response to mumakins

    You selected a file on the Desktop, not the Trash folder. If the instructions are unclear, please specify what you don't understand.

  • by mumakins,

    mumakins mumakins Oct 8, 2015 7:13 PM in response to Linc Davis
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 8, 2015 7:13 PM in response to Linc Davis

    I am unclear as to where the text edit file should reside.  I cannot put files in the trash folder because my only option is to permently delete it. 

     

    I completed the steps as follows:

     

    Performing #2 showed no results, so I opened text edit and pasted as instructed.  Where should I have saved the text edit file if not on the desktop?  From there I opened the info and followed the instructions except for #5, which I did not have the option for. 

     

    Did I follow something incorrectly? 

     

    I apologize if I missed or misunderstood the instructions.  Thank you for your time.  

  • by Linc Davis,

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Oct 8, 2015 7:38 PM in response to mumakins
    Level 10 (207,926 points)
    Applications
    Oct 8, 2015 7:38 PM in response to mumakins

    Please select the icon representing your home folder in the sidebar of a Finder window (a house with your name next to it.) Open the Info window. What does it show under Sharing & Permissions?

  • by mumakins,

    mumakins mumakins Oct 9, 2015 3:31 AM in response to Linc Davis
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 9, 2015 3:31 AM in response to Linc Davis

    Here is what the home folder get infoScreen Shot 2015-10-09 at 6.30.52 AM.png window says:

  • by Linc Davis,

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Oct 9, 2015 9:04 AM in response to mumakins
    Level 10 (207,926 points)
    Applications
    Oct 9, 2015 9:04 AM in response to mumakins

    Please read this whole message before doing anything.

    This procedure is a test, not a solution. Don’t be disappointed when you find that nothing has changed after you complete it.

    Step 1

    The purpose of this step is to determine whether the problem is localized to your user account.

    Enable guest logins* and log in as Guest. Don't use the Safari-only “Guest User” login created by “Find My Mac.”

    While logged in as Guest, you won’t have access to any of your documents or settings. Applications will behave as if you were running them for the first time. Don’t be alarmed by this behavior; it’s normal. If you need any passwords or other personal data in order to complete the test, memorize, print, or write them down before you begin.

    Test while logged in as Guest. Same problem?

    After testing, log out of the guest account and, in your own account, disable it if you wish. Any files you created in the guest account will be deleted automatically when you log out of it.

    *Note: If you’ve activated “Find My Mac” or FileVault, then you can’t enable the Guest account. The “Guest User” login created by “Find My Mac” is not the same. Create a new account in which to test, and delete it, including its home folder, after testing.

    Step 2

    The purpose of this step is to determine whether the problem is caused by third-party system modifications that load automatically at startup or login, by a peripheral device, by a font conflict, or by corruption of the file system or of certain system caches.

    Please take this step regardless of the results of Step 1.

    Disconnect all wired peripherals except those needed for the test, and remove all aftermarket expansion cards, if applicable. Start up in safe mode and log in to the account with the problem.

    Note: If FileVault is enabled in OS X 10.9 or earlier, or if a firmware password is set, or if the startup volume is a software RAID, you can’t do this. Ask for further instructions.

    Safe mode is much slower to start up and run than normal, with limited graphics performance, and some things won’t work at all, including sound output and Wi-Fi on certain models. The next normal startup may also be somewhat slow.

    The login screen appears even if you usually log in automatically. You must know your login password in order to log in. If you’ve forgotten the password, you will need to reset it before you begin.

    Test while in safe mode. Same problem?

    After testing, restart as usual (not in safe mode) and verify that you still have the problem. Post the results of Steps 1 and 2.

  • by mumakins,

    mumakins mumakins Oct 10, 2015 4:34 AM in response to Linc Davis
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 10, 2015 4:34 AM in response to Linc Davis

    Hello,

    Step One:  After creating the new account the test was positive.  I was able to put a document in the trash no problem.

    Step Two:  After booting in safe mode the test was negative.  I was not able to put a document in the trash, same problem.

     

    What does this mean?

     

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