Files in Macbook Cannot be Deleted

Asked By James K Blevins 20 points N/A Posted on - 07/08/2012

I have a MacBook Pro and some of the files in my desktop are cannot be deleted or cut and moved. What to do to erase them?

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• Question Category: Apple Laptop

Best Answer by Peter franklin

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Answered By oliverpowell 50 points N/A #130255

Files in Macbook Cannot be Deleted

 

Have you checked if the files are not locked? Because locked files you won't be able to delete them. But if you use a third party software like the stellar wipe for Mac then you can even delete a locked file permanently beyond the scope of recovery.

Good Luck

 

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• Posted on - 07/10/2012
• Question Category: Apple Laptop

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Answered By Peter franklin 10 points N/A #130256

Files in Macbook Cannot be Deleted

 

Hi,

Make sure that you have administrative privileges and the files are not locked. If you don't have administrative privileges than login to the administrative account and then try deleting those files. Also make sure that the files are not set to read only. It should be set to read and write.

You can also consult this link for more info: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4239675?start=0&tstart=0.

I hope you find the solution.

Regards,

Peter franklin

 

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• Posted on - 12/03/2012
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Answered By Sharath Reddy 590495 points N/A #130257

Files in Macbook Cannot be Deleted

In Mac OS X, if you cannot delete or move a file to the trash, check if it is locked. If the file you are trying to delete is locked, you will probably receive this message: “The operation could not be completed because the item '[item name]' is locked”. To fix this and be able to delete the file, select the file you wish to delete then go to the File menu and select Get Info.

Verify if Locked is checked. If Locked is checked, uncheck it to unlock the file and then delete the file or move the file to the trash again. In case the item you wish to unlock is a folder, open terminal located in “/Applications/Utilities”. Type the following without quotes then make sure to put a space in the end: “sudo chflags -R nouchg ”.

Drag the folder you wish to unlock into the terminal window then hit Return. Enter your password then hit Return. You should be able to delete the folder this time.

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• Posted on - 04/07/2015
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