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Sometimes the file(s) you are trying to delete may be in use by an application or system background process.
#FORCE QUIT SECURE EMPTY TRASH MAC MAC OS X#
NERD NOTE: Be sure to download a version that is compatible with the version of Mac OS X you are using. The apps, Trash It! and Cocktail are both great. There are several freeware utilities that will help force empty your trash for you. Sudo rm -rf ~/.Trash /Volumes/*/.Trashes 02) Trash App Utilities You may be prompted to enter your OS X user password.
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You can also copy and paste the text lines below into Terminal. Type one of the following lines below at the prompt and press Return. Open the Terminal application ( Macintosh HD > Applications > Utilities). If you’re not comfortable in a command line environment, then you should skip this step and try a 3rd party utility in the next section. It allows you to modify your computer in ways you can’t reverse. The Terminal application in Mac OS X can be scary.
#FORCE QUIT SECURE EMPTY TRASH MAC HOW TO#
Here’s how to force empty trash on Mac OS X and finally get rid of those unwanted files.Ġ1) How to Force Empty Trash on Your Mac Using Terminal If you cannot empty trash on your Mac desktop or laptop computer, then you are in the right place.
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Ever since I dragged and dropped a bunch of leftover Windows system files into my Mac’s Trash bin, no matter how many times I tried to empty it, there those trashed files stayed, staring at me in defiance. Sometimes the Trash on your Mac won’t empty – even when you tell it to.
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