removing items from right side of dock

So are you referring to windows (of apps or browsers) that you've minimized by clicking the yellow little button in the upper left corner of the window? Those aren't aliases, they are simply the window of an open app or file which, when you choose it in the dock will re-open. See this article re. the dock functions:

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201730

In order to remove an item, it has to be simply an alias of an app or file/folder that isn't open/running.

Hi 'jicms'

Apart from the Trash bin, all I have is my Downloads folder beyond the bar on the far right of my dock.

To remove the downloaded items 'en masse' click on Finder and then select Downloads. You can then click on individual items and right-click to delete them (+ other actions too) or click on the top item, hold down the 'shift' key and select the bottom item of the listing (it will highlight all items in blue) and again right click to see the options again.

You can delete all items 'at a stroke' if you wish.

I hope this helps you.

D.

There is something out of order in your mac.

1. click the Apple icon (top left) select ForceQuit, select Finder, then click "relaunch Finder" (this will also relaunch the Dock).

If that does not help:

2. Restart the mac while holding the Shift key: it starts slow, login and see if it works correctly to remove the item on the right side of the Dock (tell us), then restart the mac normally. still no joy?

3. restart while holding the CMD+R keys, it starts very slow, when started select 'install OS' from the main menu: this will reinstall the complete OS, while not touching your user data: it will take some time and needs a good internet connection.

When ready it restarts on its own.

"Thanks Macjack.

I just ctrl clicked on my trash box in the dock and didn't get an option though I did on all the left hand items.

You live and learn."

Indeed you live and learn: the Trash folder is the only one that you cannot remove such.

Ah! Sorry. I was reading between the lines - It appears I read it wrong! :-(

Out of interest, if you now click on your Downloads folder on the right hand side of the Dock bar, have all your 'downloads' disappeared?

I suggest you follow Lexiepex's advice now and restart in Safe Mode.

D.

Thanks, Lexipex,

I'm going to sit on the sidelines here and see what develops. I know I once had something next to the trash and to the right of the line that was the very devil to remove.

I know jicms is in good hands with you.

Seems you are right, Lexiepex.

Sorry about that.

Btw, I see the same as you when I right-click the icons. 😎

😎The OP's profile says he has 'OS X Yosemite (10.10.1)' - Perhaps things were different back then?

D.

Not according to your picture.

If you don't have a downloads folder in your dock, you can not move it from the dock obviously. The Trash you can not remove in the standard way. If you want to remove items in the Trash, you select the trash and click "empty trash".

You can easily put the Downloads folder on the Dock right side by holding the downloads folder in your Finder side bar or in your Home folder and drag it to the Dock right side. Note: Items in the Dock are alias (pointers to the item).

I don't believe this method has been mentioned here which I've used for some time:

Simply click on the icon and drag it to about the middle of the screen - release when it says "remove". Works anywhere with dock icons.

You do it wrong: you have to click on the item in the Dock that you want to remove, not just on the Dock.

Hi seventy one, not so modest, you deserve an important persons seat there !!

If you "right" click you should see a menu list: choose "options" and choose "remove".

Normally you can rightclick and hold, then move the item from the Dock and hold until you see "remove".