Jun 22, 2020 • Filed to: Solve Mac Problems • Proven solutions

May 17, 2020  I've been using the free app 'AppCleaner' for years and it's brilliant for deleting those you no longer require together with all associated system files. Whilst in Applications you simply drag and drop the app you no longer require onto the 'AppCleaner' logo, et voila!

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

1. Simultaneously press Command + Shift + Escape.
2. 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.

1. Click the Apple logo.
2. From the menu, click on 'Force Quit Finder'.

It is the general way of doing it.

Solution 3. Secure Empty Trash

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.

1. Go to Finder on the top left.
2. 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.

Change permissions to empty the Trash. This method makes use of the Terminal using the command ‘chflags’.

1. Go to Finder on the top left.
2. If Empty Trash didn’t work for you, select secure Empty Trash under it.
3. Change the folder to that of the Trash. Type “cd ~/.Trash” without the quotes.
4. 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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1. Open the Terminal as described above. Also, you can use the spotlight to search for Terminal
2. In the Terminal, change to the Trash folder as described above.
3. Type “ls “to get a list of files in the Trash.
4. 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.

1. Create a file or folder with the same name as the file that can’t be deleted but in a separate location.
2. Move this newly created file to the same location as the stubborn one and allow it to replace.
3. The previous one automatically disappears. Now you can quickly delete the new one.
4. 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.
5. 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:

1. While pressing option on your keyboard, right-click on the app.
2. 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:

1. Click on the logo on the top left.
2. On the drop-down menu, select Force Quit.
3. 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.

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.

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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Jun 08, 2020 • Filed to: Solve Mac Problems • Proven solutions

Mac App For Deleting Files Android

Uninstalling programs from macOS is one of the easiest ways to remove or delete programs from your Mac computer. Unlike in Windows OS where programs come with their own uninstallers, deleting Mac apps is generally as straightforward as dragging the app icon to trash from Application folder.

However, if you’re new to macOS, then it might be a little bit tricky to delete apps on Mac. That’s why we come up with this guide to help you learn how to uninstall applications on Mac.

Part 1. When to Uninstall APPs on Mac

There is no doubt that uninstalling Mac applications is an easy thing to do. But, have you ever wondered when it’s right time to remove apps from your Mac? So, let’s discuss the various situations when you may need to remove some programs on your Mac.

• If you’re Mac is showing low disk space, then it’s time you must consider to delete unwanted and useless applications from your Mac in an effort to free up storage space.
• If there are some third-party applications you’ve installed on your Mac, and they are causing lots of trouble in the proper functioning of your Mac system, then you need to delete those apps.

Keep in mind that by installing a lot of applications on your Mac can cause to slow down its performance. So, if you want to run enhance your system performance, you must install only necessary apps and get rid of ones that don’t use at all.

Part 2. How to Uninstall Applications on Mac?

Well, how to uninstall apps on Mac or MacBook? Check out following easy methods you can try to remove unwanted programs from your Mac.

1. Move to Trash

Those who are asking how to remove apps on Mac, the easiest and simplest way is to drag the app you want to uninstall into the Trash and afterward, empty the Trash folder. After emptying trash bin, selected app or program becomes removed from your Mac. It is a basic method of deleting Mac applications, and the method has been around since the existence of the Mac. Thus, this method works in all Mac versions from modern releases to earliest releases.

Here is a simple step-by-step guide on how to delete apps from MacBook Pro:

1. To start with, move to the Finder on your Mac and next, go to the Applications folder.
2. In Applications folders, you need to choose the app or program you want to remove from your Mac.
3. After that, you can either right-click on the application icon and choose “Move to Trash” option or you can simply drag the program icon to the Trash.
4. Finally, you need to right-click on the “Trash” can and choose “Empty Trash”.

That’s how you can uninstall programs from your Mac. If you are good at remembering keyboard shortcut, then you can also delete the apps using keystrokes. All you need to do is to choose the app icon, and press “Command + Delete” to transfer the selected application to Trash. Afterward, you can empty the Trash to remove it from your Mac.

2. Uninstall APPs with LaunchPad

There is also another easy way to remove the application from Mac, and it is using LaunchPad. Many users who are new to Mac OS or even those who aren’t have a habit of pinning applications to the Dock. If you’re one of those users, then you might be wondering what LaunchPad is?

Well, it is an application launcher designed for Mac OS and established in Mac OS X Lion. It provides users an alternative method to start programs in macOS besides other options, like Finder, Dock, Spotlight or Terminal. In LaunchPad, you will get to see applications that you have downloaded from the App Store or apps that are already present in macOS. Thus, it provides an easy way to uninstall applications downloaded from the App Store.

Here is the simple step-by-step guide on how to remove the software from Mac with LaunchPad:

1. To begin with the process, you need to first open the LaunchPad. For this, tap it in the Dock or launch it from the Applications folder.
2. After that, tap and hold down the icon of that app you like to uninstall.
3. Once the app begins to jiggle, all you need to do is to tap on the (x) icon you see.
4. Finally, tap on the “Delete” button to confirm you want to remove the selected app form your Mac.

That’s how you can immediately remove apps from your Mac. Applications that don’t show (x) icon either didn’t downloaded from the App store or included by your Mac. To uninstall an application that didn’t installed from the App store, you can use the above method i.e. Move to trash.

Part 3. How to Remove Leftover Files After Deleting APPs?

Uninstalling a program from your Mac isn’t as simple as you think. When you simply drag and drop program you want to delete into the Trash and then, empty Trash or delete a program with LaunchPad, the main program itself may be removed, but its associated files are left behind.

Thus, wondering how you can get rid of leftover files after you delete programs on Mac? Fortunately, macOS also provides a way to do this.

1. Reasons for Removing Leftover Files

Apps generally create various additional files that aren’t deleted even after the application itself is removed. These files are known as a leftover, and they are placed in hidden folders that are not visible to you by default. Thus, these files aren’t easy to locate, and they can be:

• Web-plugins
• Application caches
• Application preferences
• Temporary files.

There are a number of reasons why there is a need for deleting leftover files, which include:

• When you delete an app from your Mac, the app leftover files become useless and you don’t need them anymore.
• Leftover files take up some storage space on your Mac and that’s why it is required to delete them to free up space on your Mac. Plus, if you didn’t get rid of these files, then it becomes difficult for you to manage these junk files, and slow down Mac performance.
• In order to completely uninstall an application on Mac, deleting leftover files after removing an app is quite a necessary thing to do.

2. How to Remove Program Files on Mac?

Just like uninstalling programs on Mac, removing their leftover files is also an easy and straightforward process. If you have made your mind to delete left behind files, then follow the below steps:

1. To start with, open Finder and next, you need to choose “Go to Folder” option from Go menu.
2. Here, you need to type “~/Library” into the text field that appears on your screen, and it will open the “Library” folder.
3. After that, you can need to find folders that contain the program developer name or the program name. You can either browse it or you can use “Search” filed to do that.
4. Next, you need to select the located files. After selecting the files, you need to right-click or control-click on them and choose “Move to Trash” option.
5. Finally, you can empty the trash folder.

Important Notes:

Make sure to remove the files and not the folders in which desired leftover files are present in order to prevent accidental deletion of important files.

Part 4. How to Recover Accidentally Deleted Files on Mac?

Sometimes, many users delete some important files by mistake while they are attempting to remove the software from Mac or leftover files after uninstalling the app. If this sounds you, then there is no need to panic at all as you can still get back your accidentally deleted files using reliable data recovery software for Mac.

1. Free Download Mac File Recovery Tool

At present, there are lots of free Mac file recovery tools available out there. But, if you are looking for the most powerful and easy-to-use data recovery solution, then RecoveritMac Data Recovery software is the one. No matter how you lost or delete your files whether, by mistake or virus-attack or sudden power failure, this software can help you to recover your files under various data loss situations. Plus, it works on all Mac versions, which include the latest one macOS Mojave.

2. How to Recover Replaced Files on Mac in 3 Steps

With the help of Recoverit file recovery program, you can get back overwritten data with a high success rate using three simple steps. Get started by downloading and installing the software from its official site on your computer and then, follow the below step-by-step guide to recover accidentally replaced file on Mac:

Delete Files Off Mac

Step 1: Select a Disk

To begin with, run Recoverit file recovery and you need to choose a location from where you think files were overwritten or replaced. After that, click on the “Start” button to move forward.

Step 2: Scan the Location

Now, the software will begin with an “All-around” scan to look for the replaced files into the selected location. Here, you have to wait for a few minutes until you get scanned results.

Step 3: Preview and Recover

After the scanning, you will see all files listed in a well-categorized manner. You can preview files you want to get back and finally, click on “Recover” button.

Part 5. Tips for Uninstalling Programs on Mac

When you are attempting to uninstall or delete apps on MacBook, follow the below mentioned tips to uninstalling programs safely.

• Before you start uninstalling the application, ensure that the Trash folder is empty or doesn’t contain any files you might need to recover.
• When you dragging the icon of the app you want to delete, if you accidentally dragged the wrong app icon, then use “Command + Z” at the same time to undo the last action.
• After uninstalling the app with LaunchPad, the app moved to the trash folder and so, you also need to empty the trash.
• When you are deleting leftover files after uninstalling the app, make sure to delete only left behind files of the app you have uninstalled.
• If you’re unable to locate the leftover files, then you can use cleaner software for Mac that can help you to delete junk files on your Mac. A

Conclusion

Mac App To Delete Hidden Files

That’s all on how to uninstall programs on MacBook. Hopefully, the guide helps you to completely uninstall the desired applications on your Mac. If you’ve accidentally deleted some important files while deleting apps, then we have also provided a solution, Recoverit, to get back deleted files on Mac.

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