Small trivial customisation query here. Using OS X 10.11.4, what's the easiest way to create a trash can on the desktop? I have already tried the terminal command to place the alias but I am unable to change the icon. Given that I with this method, how can I change the folder icon image so that it represents a trash can? I would find it rather useful, to be honest.
Thanks in advance.
Mac mini, OS X El Capitan (10.11.4)
Okay, second attempt at opening it got me what I'm seeing there. I'm unclear how it should be used.
Automator is an application that allows you to "automate" things - create little scripts or applications without having to "write code".
Here are more detailed instructions for creating this trash item on the desktop.
1) Open Automator
2) Press Command N (or go to File->New)
3) Select "Application" and click "Choose"
4) On the left click "Files and Folders"; locate "Move Finder Items to the Trash" in the center pane and drag it to the right pane. It will look like this:
5) Press Command-S to Save this. Name it "Trash" and save it to the Desktop.
You now have an application on your desktop called "Trash". The icon will look like this:
All that is left is to change the icon to a trash icon.
Let me know if you need help with that part.
That is absolutely bloody fantastic! Thank you very much. 🙂
Well, actually, it's not just being able to make a trash can - but the possibilities this suggest to me for other workflows. I could probably have field day with this. I didn't even know it existed. So I've learned something new, which could come in extremely useful in the future. Very elegant indeed.
All that is left is to change the icon to a trash icon.
Let me know if you need help with that part.
Well, I know how to do that (using copy and paste on the 'get info' pane) but it hasn't actually changed the icon - yet. I trust that it will appear after I've rebooted the machine... as you suggested earlier.
Well, blow me down. That works like a dream. 🙂
Glad to be of service 😁
Meg St._Clair wrote:
Thank you very much for satisfying my curiosity. I am always interested in the why behind questions as I often learn useful things. I have my dock pop up when necessary and mostly use full screen apps so, this probably wouldn't help me.
Best of luck.
My pleasure, Meg. 🙂
What's the easiest way to place a trashcan alias on my desktop?
