When you delete any files or folders on your Mac, they aren’t permanently removed. They find their place in the Trash bin, which needs additional clicks to delete them permanently. Sometimes if any file is locked or being used by another app, then it won’t be deleted. Hence, you can’t delete any file on your Mac.
We have listed down some of the fixes that should help you empty Trash on your Mac. The last fix is the ultimate one, and I would recommend you to go step-by-step so that you don’t delete something important and then left with a malfunctioning app. Let me walk along with you through the guide!
For Mac is a basic program that forces the trash can to completely empty, but has no additional features and is not a useful program. For Mac is available as a free application. Why Can't I Empty My Trash? The trash bin is often referred to as the easiest folder to manage on. Often, your Mac’s Trash won’t empty because certain files inside are still in use. Another app, or some kind of background operational process, might be using them. Either way, you’ll know this is the case because a popup will tell you something like The operation can’t be completed because the item is in use.
Can’t Empty Trash on MacCheck if the file is in use by any app
If you get an error about “File in Use”, then try closing the app that is using the file (in case you know the app). Alternatively, you can also close all the running apps to make sure that the file is no more being used by any of the apps. Now try to empty trash, if it still doesn’t clear the dump, keep reading.
Force Empty Trash in Mac OS X When File is Locked or in Use
In case you are getting a Locked file error, then press and hold the Option key, go to Finder → Empty Trash. This should have surely helped you in clearing Trash. The Option key signals macOS to bypass the locked files. Anyways, even if this didn’t work out for you, keep reading for more fixes.
Use third-party utilities
There are many third-party utility apps to forcibly empty the Trash folder. If you have them installed, give it a try. I would personally not recommend downloading and using them. That’s because they ultimately flash Terminal commands to delete Trash files, which we have given below, so have a look.
Empty Trash on Mac Using Terminal
This is the ultimate step you should take, only if all of the above have failed. As these commands will delete locked files without alerting you anything. Make sure you do exactly as it is written below.
Step #1. Open Terminal on your Mac.
Step #2. Now type,
sudo rm –R followed by space. Leaving a space is mandatory, so do not miss that step. And yes, DO NOT HIT RETURN AFTER YOU ENTER THE COMMAND.
Step #4. It’s now time to open the Trash folder from the Dock.
Step #5. Select all the files and folders from the Trash folder, drag and drop them into Terminal window. Doing this will add the path of each file and folder to the “Remove” command we entered at Step #3.
Step #6. Now you can hit Return and then enter your administrator password to continue the operation.
The deleting process will begin and might take a couple of minutes, depending on the size of files and folders you are deleting.
Try out this trick as well, if nothing seems to be working for you.
Step #1. First off, turn off your Mac. Then, you need to hold down command+R when starting your computer. Keep holding the keys until Apple logo appears on the screen.
Your Mac will enter into recovery mode.
Step #2. In the top menu bar, you have to click on utilities. In the drop down, you need to click on terminal. Next, it will open up a terminal in order to run a command.
Step #3. Next, you will have to type in the command cs0util disable and press return.
Then after, you have to click on the Apple on the top left and click restart.
Step #4. Next up, empty your trash as usual.
Wrap up
Assuming you have been able to empty the trash on your Mac. As these solutions have worked for many users, I’m expecting they have clicked for you as well. It would be really nice if you share your feedback and let us know whether you have found success using these fixes.
You might want to catch up with these troubleshooting guides as well:
The founder of iGeeksBlog, Dhvanesh, is an Apple aficionado, who cannot stand even a slight innuendo about Apple products. He dons the cap of editor-in-chief to make sure that articles match the quality standard before they are published.
Empty Trash Mac Mail
/Mac Cleaner /How to Secure Empty Trash on Mac | Quickly Work
Scientific calculator mac app. Do you have any unneeded and unwanted files on your Mac? Would you want to empty trash on Mac? If your answer is Yes, then this is for you.
You can actually remove all unneeded and unwanted files and documents on your Mac just by dragging them on your Trash bin.
However, even if you delete them they will still remain in your Trash bin. So, the tendency for this is that you may want to know how to empty Trash on Maccompletely.
Keep in mind that once you have put an item on your Trash, this just means that the item is only marked for deletion. It will just stay there. You will know if your Trash is full if you see a crumpled paper icon on it.
So how to empty trash on Mac that won’t delete? There are ways to free up space by completely deleting all the files that are actually stored on your Mac Trash.
Sound good? Let's dive right in..
Article GuidePart 1. How to Secure Empty Trash via Finder Part 2. How to Force Empty Trash on Mac via TerminalPart 3. How to Empty Trash on Mac CompletelyPart 4. Conclusion
Part 1. How to Secure Empty Trash via Finder
If you need to completely remove some of your sensitive information which is inaccessible, then you will be needing to do this with the “Secure Empty Trash” feature on your Mac PC. This feature will overwrite and completely remove your data which only means that it will be permanently deleted.
Here is how to empty Trash on Mac with Finder:
Tip: Cleaning up your Trash completely will actually take some time than normal. This is because there is an overwriting process that is taking place. Remember that the more files that you are trying to remove from your Mac, the longer the time for the deletion process will take.
After doing the steps above, you will then be able to see that your Trash is completely empty. You will also have more of your storage space in your Mac as well.
Sometimes you tried to delete some unneeded files on Mac but failed. Because these files are locked and you can't empty your trash. In this case, you can make Mac in Safe Mode to get rid of them. Just turn to here to get more information.
Part 2. How to Force Empty Trash on Mac via Terminal
Do not open and use the Terminal just follow your willing because there's maybe a lot of trouble once you typing the wrong command.
Be careful to use this method on how to empty Trash on Mac:
If you don't want to have any risk in cleaning your files, checking another way below.
Part 3. How to Empty Trash on Mac Completely
One more option that you can actually do for you to completely delete all the files that you have on your Trash is by using a professional Mac software that is intended for cleaning.
This software is no other than the iMyMac Mac Cleaner, which is designed for all Mac users for them to be able to maintain and speed up their Mac PC:
How to Use the iMyMac Mac Cleaner to Empty Trash on Mac:
Step 1. Download and Launch iMyMac Mac Cleaner on Your Mac
First, you have to download the iMyMac Mac Cleaner from the official website at www.imymac.com and then have it installed on your Mac PC. Go ahead and launch it.
Step 2. Scanning Your Trash
For you to start cleaning up your Trash on your Mac, click on the Master Scan module located at the left side of your screen. Then click on the Scan button and then patiently wait. Once that the scanning process is complete, the Mac Cleaner will show you all of your junk files.
Empty Mac Trash App Mac
You can as well click on the Rescan button for you to be able to scan again your Mac PC if you wish.
Step 3. Choose the Files on Trash to Remove
Once you have selected the desired file that you wish to empty, which in this case is your Trash, go ahead and click on the Clean button. Then all the selected files on the Trash will be removed.
Step 4. Empty Trash on Mac
Once that the program is done cleaning up your trash, you will be able to see there an indication that says “Cleanup Completed”.
Empty Mac Trash Securely
However, there are some files that do not have this indication. This only means that the file is an auto recreated folder.
People Also Read:How to Clean Mac for FreeHow to Speed Up Mac
Part 4. Conclusion
Now you have learned ways on how to empty Trash on Mac via Finder, Terminal and iMyMac Mac Cleaner.
As we all know, it is always best that you clean up those files that you have on your Mac for you to save some storage space on your hard disk.You can remove these unwanted files by dragging them on your Trash Bin.
However, once an item is put on the trash, this means that they are not yet completely removed from your Mac. They just sitting there on your Trash. Having your Trash empty is actually easy.
But if you would want to use something to top up all other performances to delete or empty your Trash completely, then you can free try the iMyMac Mac Cleaner, it will surely give you more storage space and as well as boost the performance of your Mac PC.
ExcellentThanks for your rating.
Rating: 4.6 / 5 (based on 78 ratings)
Secure Empty Trash Mac
How to uninstall apps from a mac. People Also Read:
PowerMyMac
A powerful all-in-one App for Mac
Free Download
Empty Mac Trash App Download
Comment ()
Janyfo2019-04-16 12:04:24
I have had some deep system files stuck in my Trash, but I don't even remember how they got in there, and they have been there for over a month. Thanks for your tips, now there are gone!
Lary2018-09-23 21:06:36
Have a question, if you don't use 'secure empty trash' but you restored the Mac to the factory, then can the files still be recovered?
iMyMac2018-09-24 14:30:47
You can try the ways mentioned in this post to recover your files: https://www.imymac.com/mac-cleaner/how-to-recover-deleted-files-mac.html
Clean up and speed up your Mac with ease
Free Download
Comments are closed.
|
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |