Can't Delete Files on Mac, How to Fix It?

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Have you ever tried to delete a file but were met with the error "The item > can't be moved to the Trash because it can't be deleted"? The file may be in use or locked, or you may lack the necessary permissions to make changes, all of which might cause this message. 

No matter the root of the issue, there is always a solution. Here, we'll discuss strategies for removing stubborn files on a Mac that won't go away when sent to the Trash.

Reasons to Forcibly Delete A Mac File

Sometimes when using a Mac, you'll encounter a file that won't go away no matter how many times you try to get rid of it. You've tried everything, including restarting your Mac many times, to get rid of that pesky file, but to no avail. The data is still present on your hard drive.

Technical difficulties prohibit the item from being removed when this occurs. Understanding the many factors preventing a file from being erased on a Mac is important before attempting a force deletion. Some possible outcomes are listed here.

• Item is locked.
• Another program or process is now utilizing this file.
• The file must be kept and cannot be deleted.
• Inaccessible due to a corrupt or destroyed file.
• It's annoying enough when you are using the file but even more annoying when you aren't, and it still says it's locked or in use.

Force Quit and Delete Files on Mac

Is there a message indicating why you are unable to remove the file? Common error messages include the following:

You cannot delete the item, so it cannot be sent to the Trash.

Due to the item's (name's) current use, the operation cannot be done now.

To delete a file after receiving one of the errors above messages, you must first force quit the application that is utilizing it. Since you probably won't know which program is using up the file, you might as well close them all. Here's how to delete the file and force-quit the app(s).

It's as simple as repeating those two procedures until no background processes remain open. The Finder can be terminated if it stops responding: When the Force Quit dialog appears, choose Finder and click Relaunch.

File in Use Error, Quickly Fix It

When a program depends on a file, deleting it is not an option. If you're getting a "file in use" message on your Mac, an application uses it somehow.

That may be as easy as rearranging your open windows if only a few programs run simultaneously. Another option is to use the "Force Quit" window, which displays a list of all currently running programs:

Now you can look at what programs are currently active on your Mac.

If you suspect a certain program caused the "File in use" issue, you can simply exit that program. Another option is to use the "Force Quit" pop-up, choose the app, and click the "Force Quit" button.

Fix The File Is the Locked message

A file cannot be moved to the Bin if it is locked. Here's how to get into a locked file and move it to the Trash:

• To open a file's properties, follow these.
• Select "Get Info" from the context menu.
• A new window will open; double-click the General tab to display its contents.
• Locate the "Locked" checkbox and clear it.
• If it doesn't work, try the Terminal app on your Mac.
• The Terminal can be accessed through the following path:
  The following command should be typed in:
  nouchg /path/to/file chflags
  When prompted for the file's name to delete, type "7 file."
• You can now access the locked file. You can now choose to "Move to Bin" the selected file.

How to Recover Permanently Deleted Files on Mac?

No matter how you delete the files on Mac and empty trash bin, the files are not lost forever. If you delete your files or documents by mistake, you can download a data recovery application to help you get the deleted files back.

Step 1. Download Donemax Data Recovery for Mac, a powerful data recovery application. Run it from Launchpad.

Step 3. Click on Scan button. This Mac data recovery software will deeply scan the hard drive and find all recoverable files including the deleted files.

Step 4. Once the scan is completed, check the recoverable files using Preview feature. Then select the wanted files and save them to a safe location.

Other Ways to Fix ‘Can Not Delete A File on Mac’

Conclusion:

When files on a Mac refuse to erase, it can be unpleasant, especially when you can't figure out why. Thankfully, a few options are available to delete files that won't budge. When everything else fails, the Terminal can resolve the issue. Be careful when executing this action since you may unintentionally remove some important files or directories. If you keep these things in mind, you should be able to get rid of any file on your Mac, no matter how hard it is to erase.