How To Delete Files From Your Mac That Wont Delete

Deleting files on a Mac is generally straightforward, but sometimes files can become stubborn and refuse to be deleted. Here are several methods to help you overcome common obstacles and successfully delete files that won't budge.

File in Use Error

One of the most common reasons a file cannot be deleted is because it is currently in use by an application. To resolve this, you need to identify and close the application that is using the file.

1. Identify the Application:

   • Click the Apple logo in the top-left corner of your screen and select "Force Quit."
   • Review the list of active applications to find the one that might be using the file.

2. Close the Application:

   • If you find the application, close it normally or select it in the "Force Quit" window and click "Force Quit." Note that force-quitting an application will result in losing any unsaved work.

3. Delete the File:

• Once the application is closed, try deleting the file again. It should now be deleted without any issues.

The File Is Locked

If a file is locked, you won't be able to delete it. Here's how to unlock and delete it:

1. Check File Status:

   • Ctrl + click the file and select "Get Info."
   • In the "Get Info" window, look for the "Locked" checkbox. If it's checked, uncheck it to unlock the file.

2. Change Permissions:

   • If the file is still not deletable, you may need to change its permissions.
   • Open a new Finder window, select the file, and press Command + I to display the "Get Info" window.
   • At the bottom of the window, click the arrow next to "Sharing & Permissions" and ensure your username has "Read & Write" privileges.

Force Delete Using Terminal

If the above methods fail, you can use the Terminal to force-delete the file. This method permanently deletes the file without sending it to the Trash, so use it with caution.

1. Open Terminal:

   • Click the magnifying glass in the top right of your toolbar, type "Terminal," and open "Terminal.app".

2. Type the Command:

   • Type rm -f /path/to/file and replace /path/to/file with the actual path to the file you want to delete.
   • Press Enter to execute the command. You will be prompted to enter your administrator password.

Emptying the Trash When Files Are Stuck

Sometimes, files can get stuck in the Trash and prevent it from being emptied. Here are some steps to resolve this issue:

1. Close All Applications:

   • An application might be using one of the files in the Trash. Close all applications or restart your Mac to ensure no applications are running.

2. Check for Locked Files:

   • If the Trash contains a locked file, it can prevent the Trash from being emptied.
   • Ctrl + click each file in the Trash, select "Get Info," and unlock any locked files.

3. Force Delete from Trash:

• If a particular file is causing the issue, you can force-delete it from the Trash.
• Open the Trash, Ctrl + click the problematic file, and select "Delete Immediately".

Using Keyboard Shortcuts

There are a couple of keyboard shortcuts that can help when files won't delete:

1. Empty Trash with Option Key:

   • Hold down the Option key while selecting "Empty Trash" from the Trash icon's context menu. This can sometimes bypass issues that prevent the Trash from being emptied.

2. Alternative Empty Trash Method:

   • While holding Command, Option, and Shift, press the Backspace key. This will immediately empty the Trash.

Disabling System Integrity Protection (SIP)

In some cases, System Integrity Protection (SIP) might prevent you from deleting certain files. Here's how to temporarily disable SIP to delete stubborn files:

1. Restart in Recovery Mode:

   • Restart your Mac, then immediately press Command + R to enter Recovery Mode.

2. Disable SIP:

   • In Recovery Mode, select "Utilities" from the menu bar and open Terminal.
   • Type csrutil disable and press Enter.

3. Delete the File:

• After disabling SIP, you should be able to delete the file. Ensure you move the file to the Trash and then empty the Trash.

4. Re-enable SIP:
   • Restart your Mac in Recovery Mode again and type csrutil enable in the Terminal to re-enable SIP.

By following these steps, you should be able to delete files on your Mac that refuse to be deleted, ensuring your system remains organized and free of unnecessary files.