External HDD won't free up space.

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Level 4

2,167 points

External HDD won't free up space.

Hello,

I got my Macbook Pro back in 2014 and as part of the deal from Apple I got a 1Tb HDD to go with it. If I delete files on my Mac's internal HDD then I get that space back. If I delete files on the external HDD nothing happens, the files are trashed but the remaining space remains unchanged. The same happens with my memory stick. Have I set these two devices up wrong? How do I get them to free up space without formatting them and starting again?

Many thanks.

MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Mid 2014), OS X El Capitan (10.11.3), 16Gb, 256Gb SSD

Posted on Feb 12, 2016 10:03 AM

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Answer 1

Best reply

KimUserName

Level 4

1,900 points

Feb 12, 2016 10:23 AM in response to One Brain Cell

Hi One Brain Cell:

Plug the external drive back into the computer, then empty the Trash bin.

Then check to see if space is free up.

Same for USB stick.

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Answer 2

One Brain Cell Author

Level 4

2,167 points

Feb 12, 2016 10:25 AM in response to KimUserName

Thank you so much Kim. Ugh, I feel so stupid! All this time I've been sending files to the trash, but not emptying the trash at the time! Then I would shut down the computer or disconnect the external HDD (and memory stick) and wonder why there had been no change!

Again, thank you. That's one less thing I need to worry about now, I shall trash away (and empty at the same time)! 😁

I think I got it into my head a long time ago that a memory stick couldn't have its contents removed, you could only add to it and then reformat if you wanted to get that space back. When I saw my external HDD acting similarly I figured the same thing. Funny how such blind spots can warp you!

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Answer 3

Feb 12, 2016 10:26 AM in response to One Brain Cell

I have come across that a few times as well.

Delete some stuff from the memory stick to make room for some files and wonder why they would not fit.

Then remember about the trash. Anyway, glad I could help.

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Answer 4

One Brain Cell Author

Level 4

2,167 points

Feb 12, 2016 10:41 AM in response to KimUserName

Oh definitely. I do a regular fortnightly procedure where I have to send a few hundred megs to three memory sticks, two are just small back-ups & they fill quickly. This'll make the procedure a lot less of a drag!

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