Cannot drag files to trash and download software cannot create file

Fix permissions on Trash folder

Select your Home folder and press COMMAND-Ito open the Get Info window. Be sure you have "read & write" privileges in the Sharing & Permissions panel. Check under "General" panel to be sure it isn't locked. If that is correct, launch the Terminal on the Utilities' folder, and at the prompt copy and paste this command:

mkdir ~/.Trash

Press RETURN.

If you get a message that the folder already exists, copy & paste this command:

sudo chown $UID ~/ .Trash

Press RETURN. Enter your admin password (it will be invisible) Press RETURN.

Then copy and paste this command:

chmod u+rwx ~/.Trash

Press RETURN.

Log out and back in, or restart.

You are using third-party downloading software. You need to contact their support for help. Or stop using it since it isn't really needed.

There is something odd about your installation that I cannot explain. The instructions to create a new Trash folder with the proper permissions certainly work on an otherwise operational Mac unmodified by the usual "cleaning" and / or "anti-virus" scams, so assuming yours is not, I have no explanation. You might try downloading the following program, and then running it and posting its results here. I don't know if it will show anything remarkable:

https://etrecheck.com/

At your option please Contact Support. Explain what you did to solve the problem and see if they have anything else to suggest.

1. I cannot put anything into trash.

You should be able to fix that problem with the procedure below. I am assuming that you are attempting to delete items on that Mac's startup volume, and not on some externally mounted volume or partition or network-connected drive. If that's not the case please let me know.

If you haven't already done so, it would be a good idea to back up your Mac prior to making any changes to its file system. To learn how to use Time Machine please read How to use Time Machine to back up or restore your Mac - Apple Support. You ought to be doing that anyway, even if everything were working perfectly well.

First, just restart your Mac in the usual manner. If restarting your Mac does not solve the problem, proceed as follows:

Go to the Finder - click anywhere on your Mac's desktop, and choose File > New Folder.

If a folder appears on your Desktop then continue reading. If not, stop reading and ask for further instructions.

Open Terminal - it is in your Utilities folder and looks like this

You can find Terminal by using the Finder's Go menu and choosing Utilities, then double-click the Terminal icon.

Copy (drag or triple-click to select the line) and Paste — do not type — the following commands into the Terminal window, each one followed by the Return or Enter key:

mkdir ~/.Trash

If you get the message "File exists" you can ignore it.

Next:

Copy and Paste the following line, followed by the Return key:

sudo chown $UID ~/.Trash

This time Terminal will ask for your Admin password—the same one you use when you log in to your Mac. Type it and then press the Return key. What you type will not appear, not even with •••• characters.

Next:

Copy and Paste the following:

chmod u+rwx ~/.Trash

To summarize the above you will be doing this:

Last login: Wed Feb 12 03:21:53 on ttys000

Johns-iMac:~ john$ mkdir ~/.Trash

mkdir: /Users/john/.Trash: File exists

Johns-iMac:~ john$ sudo chown $UID ~/.Trash

Password: <this is where you type your password and press Return>

Johns-iMac:~ john$ chmod u+rwx ~/.Trash

Johns-iMac:~ john$

You will be typing the entries in red exactly as shown.

Quit Terminal.

Drag the empty folder you just created to the Trash, confirm that it actually appears in the Trash, and that you can empty the Trash without requiring your password.

2. One of my download software cannot start download at all.

If the download location lies outside your Home folder, it might not work. If there is a way to specify the download location, be sure it is in your Home folder or one of its subdirectories. The instructions you followed affect only the Home folder and its contents.