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Can't delete an image from MacBook Pro

Hope so much that you can help me!


I can't delete an image from my MacBook Pro. When I try to drag it to trash it won't go, and when I click on the image in finder it doesn't show the option move to trash. When I dubble click on the image it says : The alias “IMG_2404.PNG” can’t be opened because the original item can’t be found. then I have the option delete/fix alias or to click on OK. I've tried all 3 options none of them let me delete the file.... This might also be helpful but I can't see the image it's just a white cube. Hope you can help me! other wise I have to reset my macbook.. 😟

MacBook Pro TouchBar and Touch ID

Posted on Mar 16, 2018 1:52 PM

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5 replies

Mar 16, 2018 2:25 PM in response to Emmma19

Do you have another computer handy that you might connect to using Firewire and/or Thunderbolt? If so, then you might try booting your computer into Target Disk Mode then accessing your disk drive from the other computer's Desktop. This may allow you to remove the image. Otherwise, I think you have one of those "ghost" icons that stick on the Desktop. You can try working through the following. Hopefully, you won't have to try them all. I'm hoping it will get fixed by the time you get to Item 7 or 8.


A Troubleshooting Procedure that may Fix Problems with macOS El Capitan or Later

You should try each, one at a time, then test to see if the problem is fixed before going on to the next.


Be sure to backup your files before proceeding if possible.


  1. Shutdown the computer, wait 30 seconds, restart the computer.
  2. Disconnect all third-party peripherals and remove any support software like drivers and plug-ins.
  3. Resetting your Mac’s PRAM and NVRAM
  4. Reset the System Management Controller (SMC)
  5. Start the computer in Safe Mode, then restart normally. This is slower than a standard startup.
  6. Repair the disk by booting from the Recovery HD. Immediately after the chime hold down the Command and R keys until the Utility Menu appears. Choose Disk Utility and click on the Continue button. Select the indented (usually, Macintosh HD) volume entry from the side list. Click on the First Aid button in the toolbar. Wait for the Done button to appear. Quit Disk Utility and return to the Utility Menu. Restart the computer from the Apple Menu.
  7. Create a New User Account Open Users & Groups preferences. Click on the lock icon and enter your Admin password when prompted. On the left under Current User click on the Add [+] button under Login Options. Setup a new Admin user account. Upon completion log out of your current account then log into the new account. If your problems cease, then consider switching to the new account and transferring your files to it - Transferring files from one User Account to another.
  8. Download and install the OS X El Capitan 10.11.6 Combo Update or 10.12.6 Combo Update or Download macOS High Sierra 10.13.3 Combo Update as needed.
  9. Reinstall OS X by booting from the Recovery HD using the Command and R keys. When the Utility Menu appears select Reinstall OS X then click on the Continue button.
  10. Erase and Install OS X Restart the computer. Immediately after the chime hold down the Command and R keys until the Apple logo appears. When the Utility Menu appears:
  1. Select Disk Utility from the Utility Menu and click on Continue button.
  2. When Disk Utility loads select the drive (out-dented entry) from the Device list.
  3. Click on the Erase icon in Disk Utility's toolbar. A panel will drop down.
  4. Set the Format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.)
  5. Click on the Apply button, then wait for the Done button to activate and click on it.
  6. Quit Disk Utility and return to the Utility Menu.
  7. Select Reinstall OS X and click on the Continue button.

Mar 16, 2018 2:08 PM in response to Emmma19

What happens when you try deleting it? You haven't clearly stated. Are you also trying to drag it to the Trash? What happens if you choose to fix the alias? What happens if you reboot the computer?


You might try: Open the Terminal in the Utilities’ folder. Copy and paste into the Terminal window: rm - rf leaving a space like so, "-rf ". Now drag the image's icon into the Terminal window. Press RETURN.

Can't delete an image from MacBook Pro

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