Jun 08, 2020 • Filed to: Recover & Repair Files • Proven solutions Best home design software free mac.
- The command line is not only powerful, it can also be dangerous. Learn how to use commands for deleting files and folders correctly to make sure your time with Terminal is a productivity godsend.
- How to use delete file command line feature. Removing files from your Mac forever using Terminal is deceptively simple: just use the rm command followed by the name of the file. Here’s how it works in practice: Launch Terminal from your Utilities folder in Applications. Check which directory you’re in.
There are a number of times when it becomes necessary to delete folders like delete downloads folder from one device. Mostly this happens when the contents of the folders become useless and are just sitting around taking up valuable space on one’s computer. But the road that leads to freeing up space on one’s device is not as easy as it seems.
IObit Unlocker performs well in solving “cannot delete files”, “access is denied”, “The file is in use by another program or user', or 'There has been a sharing violation” problems. With IObit Unlocker, you can manage all your files the way you want. May 17, 2019 Delete Mac files immediately bypassing Trash. If you have OS X 10.11 El Capitan or a more modern macOS, Apple introduced a quicker way to delete anything you don’t want immediately. Highlight the file or files you want to delete, then hold down the Option-Command-Delete key. Caution: there’s no way back! More shortcuts for deleting files.
Problems related to deleting folders on Windows/Mac
- At times there is a pop-up that tends to appear the moment you press the delete button. This pop-up usually states that the folder cannot be deleted because it is in use. This is a cause of head ache but not much to worry about. All you have to do is to close the folder and then delete the folder by pressing the delete button.
- There are times when the folders cannot be deleted because the users deny the access to modifying the folder. A pop-up opens up and informs the users that access to the folder has been denied and that the users need permission to delete the folder. This usually happens when the user who is trying to delete the folder is not the one who has created it.
- Sometimes on Mac, even after you have deleted the relevant folder, it still stubbornly remains on the device and eats up space. Deleting files on Mac is a far more complicated process than deleting files on Windows. At times the new software needs to be installed to forcefully remove the folder under concern.
How to delete folders on Windows. (3 ways)
Method 1
First method, you go to the folder that you want to delete and right click on it. A list of options will appear. From those options you have to click on the tab marked as “Delete” to delete the folder from its current location.
The important thing to note is that using this method the folder will only be deleted from its current position. To delete the folder for good, the folder must also be deleted from the recycle bin. Once it is deleted from the recycle bin, then it is gone from your device for good.
If the folder was present in a usb drive, then upon following the above mentioned method, the folder will be deleted from the system for ever and you do not have to worry about deleting it from the recycle bin also.
Method 2
Install mac os 9 software cd. Sometimes, when the folders are very big in size that is they contain thousands of files or documents then they can take a lot of time to delete. In the world of business, such delays are just not acceptable. So if you have ever suffered from such a setback and want to make sure that you do not suffer from such a setback ever again, then you need to use the following command prompt:
This is an excellent method to delete files, otherwise that can take hours to delete.
A thing that one needs to be careful about when using this method is that this method is permanent. Once you insert the command prompt, that is it, there is no going back. The folders do not go to an external place like the recycle bin and they are simply deleted for good.
So, know for sure whether you want to delete all the files in the folder before you give such a final statement.
Method 3
The third and the simplest method to get rid of a folder is to click on the folder and then press the delete key. The delete key is usually similar to the one shown below:
By using this method, the folder goes into the recycle bin where the folder must also be deleted so that people can get rid of the folder forever.
How to delete folders on Mac
Method 1
The first method is quite simple. It begins by finding the folder that you want to delete using the Control+F combination. Once you have found the folder from your collection of folders, you are done with half the job. Finding folders on Mac is not as simple as finding folders on Windows. There isn’t a file manager software that works on Mac as it does on Windows. Thus, you need to go about finding the items that you want to delete manually. Once you have found the folder you want to delete, you can simply drag the folder into the trashcan. But just like in Windows, this is not the permanent way to get rid of folders. To ensure that the folders cease to exist completely, you need to remove these folders from the trash can too.
All you need to do is to press command+shift+delete and you can get rid of the files for ever.
Method 2
There is a very powerful command in the Mac that is used to delete folders frequently. It is known as the “rm” command, it is short for the work remove. This command is quite simple and can be used to delete both files and folders. For deleting files all users have to do is to insert the command as “rm file name” for folders. Also known as directories in the Mac world, the command prompt should be “rmdir folder’s name”. The following screenshot shows the command prompt used to delete a folder marked Archives.
Method 3
At times, due to the complexities in the Mac operating system there are a lot of empty folders that can be created and these can take up a lot of space. These empty folders are usually hidden from sight and can be found easily by first opening the finder and then pressing control+F. This opens the search box that helps to find items on the Mac, and then the search kind needs to be specified. It is set to Folder. In the number of items, the number is set to less than 1. The folder with 00 at the bottom indicates an empty folder. The next step is fairly simple, and the folder can be dragged to the recycle bin.
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Jun 22, 2020 • Filed to: Solve Mac Problems • Proven solutions
“Agh! Why I can’t delete a file?” is a common frustration with most Mac users. Usually, you find yourself having no clue on what to do next. Well, this article will guide you to your next and final step.
There are various reasons to delete a file. However, whatever reason you might have, your Mac might not agree with you.
Since the creation of on-screen technologies, terms such as 'delete', 'erase', and 'format' has been the go-to options in situations where somebody wanted to get rid of a file or application. Also, to safeguard a system in terms of freeing up space or easy removal of malware, the delete key has been beneficial.
However, in recent versions of operating systems, we have been unable in some cases to delete files from our computers. You have probably faced warnings such as ‘folder in use, cannot delete.’
So, how to delete files that won’t delete in Mac?
Well, we shall explain why you can’t delete a file and also the solutions in the sections below:
Part 1. Why I Can’t Delete File on Mac?
You have often wondered why you can’t delete an app on Mac. The presence of a Trash bin on Mac has always made it easy to sort out what you don’t need. However, this is not true.
There are underlying obstacles that can hinder you from clearing your system of specific files. At times these hindrances save us from deleting sensitive data, probably those required by the system to run.
However, the obstacles can, at times, go overboard. It is when you are unable to get rid of the average local files that you know are not useful to you and the system.
So why would the system or anything else keep you from doing so?
Well, some of the reasons include:
- Your Mac system locks the file: Mac locks sensitive system files that are a must for its operations. When deleted, their absence can cause your Mac OS to ‘break.’ It might not even be able to boot up.
- The file or folder is in use and can’t be deleted: Mostly happens when a file, e.g., a word document is opened and is in use. It prevents the disruption of your ongoing work. You might have wanted to delete the data accidentally.
- An app has locked the file: When an application is developed such that its files cannot be tampered with, e.g., to prevent them from being edited or copied, they might be locked. It is thus a security measure for the program with regards to copyright restrictions.
- The file is not available: Sometimes files are visible but cannot be accessed for one reason or the other. These could be music, documents, or a folder. Usually, they are ‘ghost files.’ You can’t delete such files because they are not there in the first place. It could be a thumbnail left behind.
- Presence of a Finder bug: A bug, in this case, is a glitch of some sort that prevents the system or an app from carrying out its normal operations.
Part 2. Can't Delete Files? Go to the Finder
Usually, the most natural solution to cannot delete files is by dragging them to the Trash. In case you'd want the data back, command + Z would automatically undo your action. To empty Trash, you can access Finder by either double-clicking the Trash icon on your dock or go to the top left section on your Mac and select 'Finder.'
From the Finder menu, you can click on Empty Trash. Also, from the Trash icon at your dock, you can right-click and select Empty Trash.
But that doesn’t always work. An error “file can’t be deleted” may pop-up to alert you of this. In such a scenario, you can do the following:
Solution 1. Relaunch Finder
- Simultaneously press Command + Shift + Escape.
- On the menu that pops up select Relaunch
Make sure that the Finder loading is complete before you can start deleting.
Solution 2. Force quit Finder
There are several ways to force quit Finder. From the Apple logo at the top right.
- Click the Apple logo.
- From the menu, click on 'Force Quit Finder'.
![Mac software for folder delete mac Mac software for folder delete mac](/uploads/1/2/6/2/126226072/558806429.png)
It is the general way of doing it.
Solution 3. Secure Empty Trash
Ios app simulator mac download. https://canadianhigh-power630.weebly.com/application-support-mac-propellerhead-software.html. If you are familiar with the Terminal, you can use the ‘killall’ command to force quit Finder. After the successful deletion of a file, you may not be able to empty Trash as the file can’t be deleted from the Trash.
- Go to Finder on the top left.
- If Empty Trash didn’t work for you, select secure Empty Trash under it.
You can also press command and right click the Trash icon to secure empty Trash.
Part 3. Cannot Delete Files? Fixes Without Finder
Where the Finder method of deleting apps has not worked out for you, try the following:
Where the item is a folder, delete each file manually to isolate the single erroneous file. If all files get deleted such that the folder is empty, try Trashing it.
Mac Delete File In Use
Change permissions to empty the Trash. This method makes use of the Terminal using the command ‘chflags’.
- Go to Finder on the top left.
- If Empty Trash didn’t work for you, select secure Empty Trash under it.
- Change the folder to that of the Trash. Type “cd ~/.Trash” without the quotes.
- Change permissions by using “chflags -R nouchg ” without the quotes.
The command line can also be used to forcibly empty the Trash using the command ‘sudo rm -rf’. Beware, this command erases everything in the Trash without warning.
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- Open the Terminal as described above. Also, you can use the spotlight to search for Terminal
- In the Terminal, change to the Trash folder as described above.
- Type “ls “to get a list of files in the Trash.
- Remove the specific stubborn file by typing “rm file.png,“ where the data is the item of your choice.
Using the sudo command erases everything in the Trash. Thus, you should only use it if you know what you are doing. You can also do a workaround.
- Create a file or folder with the same name as the file that can’t be deleted but in a separate location.
- Move this newly created file to the same location as the stubborn one and allow it to replace.
- The previous one automatically disappears. Now you can quickly delete the new one.
- Create a folder into which you then move the items you want to delete. The newly created folder will hopefully have permissions different from the previous one.
- Lastly, try to log in using an admin account. It will give you more power over your content.
If you accidentally deleted important files, just jump to Part 5 for the solutions or directly download Recoverit Data Recovery. It will help you recover all deleted files.
Part 4. Can't Delete File Because File Is in Use on Mac
When MacOS thinks the file you are trying to delete is in use by another process, emptying the Trash will not work. Therefore, the first thing to do is to quit all other programs to ensure no other application could use any of the files on your Mac.
To force quit apps on the dock:
- While pressing option on your keyboard, right-click on the app.
- On the menu that appears, click on force quit.
With this method, you’ll have to quit all apps one by one.
Using the Apple menu:
- Click on the logo on the top left.
- On the drop-down menu, select Force Quit.
- On the next menu of available apps, select the app, you would want to quit and click on the Force Quit button.
After force quitting all apps, now try deleting the file or folder.
If force quitting all programs doesn’t work for you, you can try restarting your Mac or even shutting it down then power it on.
Part 5. How to Retrieve Deleted Files on Mac
In the process of trying to delete one file, you can end up deleting several of them, and in extreme cases, you might get frustrated and accidentally format your drive.
However, that is not the end of the road. Wondershare offers you Recoverit Data Recovery Mac version 8.0. Recoverit data recovery software is a suitable comprehensive way to cater for recovery options irrespective of how data was lost.
The software has access to various storage devices including a corrupted Mac Hard drive, USB drive, iPod, SD card, etc. featuring compatibility with FAT 16/32, NTFS, and HFS+ file systems.
- A more organized main menu page: The main menu now displays drives that are both internal and external, including lost partitions.
- Enhanced precision: You can now choose the specific location on which to run a scan.
- Enhanced retrieval of files: Recoverit can now retrieve raw files from internal drives and other external devices that even the computer cannot recognize.
- Better preview of images: When scanning for images, recoverit data recovery software offers a sneak preview of images, videos, and documents in a larger window to enhance the experience.
- Allows for recovery of data from Drone camera and GoPro
- It’s able to recover files from more than ten drives.
So, how do you use Recoverit to recover lost files?
Step 1. Select a location where files are deleted
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Launch the software and select the drive from where the data files are lost. If you don’t know which drive to search, tap on the “I can’t find my partition” option and hit the Start button.
Step 2. Scan the selected location
Typically, the software will run an all-around scan and search for the lost and deleted files on the entire drive.
Step 3. Preview and recover deleted Mac files
When the scan completes, the files will be listed on the screen. The software will sort out the files according to format to make the search easier. You can select multiple files at a time and have a preview at them.
You also have the option of doing a deep scan of the files at the bottom.
Mac Software For Folder Delete Mac
Part 6. Tips Against 'Can't Delete Files on Mac'
Some of the issues that you face with deleting files on your Mac and end up believing that they can’t be deleted is false. “Why so?” You ask.
- 1. Settle your mind
First things, first, you needed to relax. Frustrations often lead to irrational behavior. When you feel like it’s becoming impossible and you have done everything don’t start throwing tantrums. Realize that some files can’t be deleted for a reason or you probably are yet to find out.
- 2. Research online on various methods
To find out what kind of files you should or shouldn’t get rid of, check on sites and articles such as this one. You can look at various methods of troubleshooting for an easy time.
- 3. Use past experiences
As a Mac user, you must have heard of similar cases from friends. Ask yourself what they did differently and try to follow their footsteps.
- 4. Seek assistance
When memory fails you, and you can’t remember what to do, call the right people. Reach out to online experts who can assist.
- 5. Be cautious
Finally, with all that you do, be cautious. While struggling to delete a file, you can quickly end up getting rid of something as important as a system file. Double-check on stubborn files when clearing your Hard drive.
![Mac Software For Folder Delete Mac Software For Folder Delete](/uploads/1/2/6/2/126226072/577768463.jpg)
Conclusion
Clearing your system is as vital as deleting files and emptying the Trash on your Mac, since with everyday use, your device accumulates unnecessary files. So, when a file error such as 'file in use, cannot be deleted' pops up, be careful. Also, you should double-check the kind of files you install, especially third-party apps.
However, when you or anybody else is stuck on how to delete files that won’t be deleted, direct them to check out this article. I am sure you have significantly benefited from it so, help others too.
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