Can't delete files in use or locked? Get an error message when empting Trash? Here are all solutions to fix can't delete files or empty Trash issues. By making use of this application you can easily clear unwanted files, temp files, browsing history, uninstall applications safely on all versions of Mac OS X such as Mountain Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Lion, etc. And even helps in increasing system performance with few clicks of mouse. File Eraser for Mac is a powerful Mac file shredder. It can help you securely and permanently erase any file from Mac hard drive or storage device. MacClean360 - quickly delete files on Mac to prevent data recovery. MacClean360 is an all-in-one Mac system utility. It offers a tool - file shredder. The file shredder can help you permanently. Whenever you do this, the document saves itself to your Mail Downloads folder, hidden away in your Library file. Double-click sufficient files, and that folder can balloon in measurement. That is why I make sure to test it and empty it every year or so. How To Permanently Delete Downloads On Mac how to delete downloaded apps on mac.
One of the most basic computer functions — deleting files and folders — is also one of the most essential. If you never get rid of anything, soon enough all those extra gigabytes will take a toll on your Mac’s processing power, RAM, and hard drive, not to mention your digital life will resemble a dreadful episode of Hoarders.
Mac users often find their Downloads folder filled with disk images that they previously downloaded from the internet, files that. Installer files are easier to remove because they can be considered as.ZIP files. To move the installer to the Trash, however.
So deleting files is good and healthy. But how do you do that? Most people right-click on what they need gone and choose Move to Trash from the menu or use the File option in the menu bar. Others employ the ⌘ + Delete shortcut, which works across the system (even within dialog windows). Experts, however, often find themselves defaulting to the command line delete directory feature. Let’s see how and why you should learn it too.
How to remove directory with Terminal
Since macOS is a Unix-based system, nearly all system tasks you do every day with the help of its graphic interface can also be performed via the command line tool called Terminal.
Why delete file command line feature is important
With regards to delete file or delete folder command line functionality, Terminal lets you:
Note: The Mac command line delete file feature is final and irreversible. How to download macos mojave 10.14. While it lets you avoid any error messages, it also removes the files completely, without any possibility of retrieving them later on.
Tip: Delete unneeded system files on Mac
Some files are hard to delete in a normal way because they sit deeply in system folders. These are such files as logs, broken downloads, caches, remains of old apps, etc. Still, deleting them could give your Mac an extra boost — that's because they are outdated and clutter your macOS.
To dig these files out, try a free version of CleanMyMac X. Among other things, this app has an impressive System Junk detector. When you download CleanMyMac X (this free version is notarized by Apple), you need to click on System Junk.
Just take a loot at the sheer amount of files it unearthed. To delete them, click on Clean. How to use delete file command line feature
Removing files from your Mac forever using Terminal is deceptively simple: just use the rm command followed by the name of the file. Here’s how it works in practice:
Now all the files you specified after rm are gone for good. Navigate directories in your Mac and repeat the process as many times as you want.
Surprised there was no confirmation before your files were deleted? Luckily there’s a way to add one as a safeguard for not deleting the wrong file by accident. Just use -i after the rm but before the first filename, like this: rm -i [filename.extension]. Terminal will then ask you whether you’re sure you want to delete the file. Reply y or yes followed by Enter and the file will be gone. This also works for multiple files, but you’ll have to confirm the removal of each one separately.
How to make command line delete directory
Surprisingly, you can’t delete a folder using the rm command because it has its own: rmdir. Mac os x installation disc image download.
Otherwise, rmdir works exactly the same as rm:
Sadly, you can’t use the -i hack when you’re deleting folders, so be extra careful!
Another thing to keep in mind is that rmdir only deletes the directory, but can’t delete any files or folders located within that directory.
To delete a folder with everything in it, you need to use rm -r followed by the folder’s name. Using -i to create a warning here is possible and done like this: rm -ir [foldername].
When it’s too difficult to find a folder or file via Terminal, but you can detect them in Finder, simply drag and drop the file onto the Terminal window to generate its path.
Delete large and old folders using CleanMyMac X
As it happens with folders, they are easy to mess up and lose track of. That's why many apps provide an alternative interface for searching and deleting files which is more flexible than the Finder. For example, using CleanMyMac X (the app we've mentioned above) you can find massive folders that might have been evading you. You also can filter them by file type and other criteria.
The latest released version of this tool looks like this:
This app by developer MacPaw is available for a free download here. Using this app, files are removed for good, and as far as we know, it's irreversible. How to download macos sierra from mojave.
Other ways to delete files and folders on Mac
The shortcut combination
We are sure you know how to drag to your files to the Trash. But here is an alternative way which deletes files at once, bypassing the Trash. There’s one less step involved (you don’t have to empty the bin). And you cannot reverse this action.
Select a file, and press [Option + ⌘ + Delete]
Delete hidden folders on Mac
Some folders on your Mac are made invisible to protect them from accidental deletion. They are system and support files you would ignore most of the time. But what if a folder seems empty but still takes up space? You can apply another shortcut combination to highlight these unseen objects. Then, you can delete them at your own risk. To highlight hidden folders: [Press Shift + ⌘ + . dot key] This best works if you open some system folder, like Library
Again, delete these folders only if you are sure what they are.
That was how to remove files and folders on your Mac, shown in multiple ways. Want to know more? Explore our blog for a whole universe of Mac tips!
By Nathan E. Malpass, Last updated: August 27, 2019
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Quite a few times, I have found some users of Mac devices are confused about such a question: how to delete downloads on Mac device?
e.g. I have a MacBook Air that I use every single day. I use it for both work and recreational purposes. One thing I love to do with my MacBook Air is to download a lot of files. Mostly because I love watching series and movies. Now, I want to know how to properly delete downloads I don’t need anymore. Can you teach me how to properly do it?
Indeed, similar questions are full of different forums and floods of methods are given from friendly netizens. However, it is difficult for Mac users to tell which method is the most suitable one for themseleves. Therefore, this article is going to provide a complete guide on how to delete downloads on Mac devices.
Part I: Why Do You Need to Delete Downloads on Mac?
Apple’s Mac devices are very popular and useful for a lot of users. It has an interface that is user-friendly. Plus, it works fast and smooth.
When we use our Mac devices every single day, we usually accumulate a lot of downloaded files such as applications, music, videos, pictures, and even confidential data.
All of these downloaded files are kept within our hard drive or solid state drive (SDD). Specifically, if not modified, the downloaded file is kept within the Downloads folder.
This can take up a lot of space within your device. Plus, there might be confidential data that when leaked, can cause a lot of trouble for you, your business, or the company you work with.
That's why in this article, we will be showing you different ways or methods of removing your downloaded files.
We will also tell you how to remove your download history within different browsers in your Mac device as well as through a useful application. Hopefully, this will help keep your privacy safe and even free up more space within your device to boost its performance.
Part II: How to Delete Downloads on Mac With FoneDog’s Mac Cleaner
One thing you can actually do is to use FoneDog’s Mac Cleanerto help you clear up your browsers including the downloaded files thereof and even make your Mac work faster. It is the fastest and convenient way for you the Mac users to delete downloads on Mac with the help of a third - party application.
Here’s how to delete downloads on Mac using FoneDog's Mac Cleaner step by step:
Step 01 - Download the tool.
Step 02 - Launch it within your Mac device. The main interface will show a variety of the device’ system status.
Step 03 - Select Privacy, a tool Privacy under the ToolKit module.
Step 04 - Press Scan button. The tool will now do a comprehensive scan on your device.
Step 05 - Once the scanning is complete, click View to check scanned results.
Step 06 - Choose a particular category and the files involved in your downloads on Mac. For instance, Downloaded Files under Google Chrome browser.
Note: Move your mouse to the occupation information on the right side of the files in browsers, you can view more detailed information by clicking the Show button in grey.
Step 07 - Press Clean.
Step 08 - Confirm the cleaning operation.
Step 09 - Wait until the cleaning process is finished.
Part III: Manually Deleting Your Downloads On Mac
Here are the steps to manually delete your downloads within your Mac device:
Step 01 - Go to the Dock.
Download mavericks without app store. Step 02 - Finally go towards the fInder.
Step 03 - Go towards the Manage page.
Step 04 - On the left side of the screen, look for Downloads and click it.
Step 05 - Now, all the downloads will be shown on the pane on the right side.
Step 06 - If you wish to select every single downloaded data, press CMD + A. Or, you can choose specific download files one at a time.
Step 07 - Click the right mouse button.
Step 08 - Select Move To Trash.
Step 09 - Go to your Trash Bin and right click on it.
Step 10 - Select Empty Trash.
That’s it. Very easy right? Well, let’s get on with deleting your downloads history within different browsers.
Part IV: Deleting Downloads History Within Different Browsers
There are different steps to deleting your history within different browsers. Let’s check them out one by one.
Chrome: How To Manually Remove Downloads History
Here are the steps to help you manually clear up downloads history within Google Chrome:
Step 01 - Open the browser Chrome.
Can I Delete Download Files On Mac Windows 10
Step 02 - Press History. This is located within the menu bar.
Step 03 - Press Show Full History.
Can I Delete Download Files On Mac Google Chrome
Step 04 - Choose Clear Browsing Data..
Step 05 - Select the time range you wish to delete. If you want to delete everything, select The Beginning Of Time.
Step 06 - Check the box that states Download History.
Step 07 - Finally, press Clear Browsing Data.
Safari: How To Manually Remove Downloads History
In order to clear up your history for downloads within the Safari browser, follow the steps below:
Step 01 - Open the browser Safari.
Step 02 - Press History. This is located within the menu bar which is also at the top of the screen.
Step 03 - Choose Clear History And Website Data.
Step 04 - Select All History if you want to clear up everything. Or, you can select a specific time range that you want.
Step 05 - Press Clear History.
Firefox: How To Manually Remove Downloads History
Here are the steps to help you remove history of downloads within Firefox.
Step 01 - Open the said browser on your Mac device.
Step 02 - Go to the menu bar and select History.
Step 03 - Choose Clear Recent History.
Step 04 - Choose Everything if you want to delete everything. Or, select a time range that you want.
Step 05 - Press the arrow labeled Details.
Delete Files On Mac Desktop
Step 06 - Check the box that states Browsing & Download History.
Permanently Delete Files On Mac
Step 07 - Press Clear Now.
That’s how to delete downloads on Mac and doenload history from three different browsers manually.
People Also ReadHow to Delete iPhone Backup on Mac?How to View iPhone Backup on Mac?6 Ways on How to Copy Photos from iPhone to Mac.
Part V: Conclusion
FoneDog’s Mac Cleaner virtually excels in the field of how to delete downloads on Mac. Plus, its Privacy tool can help you delete downloads history and browsing history to make information confidential.
If you are serious about deleting data, you can also use the tool’s File Shredder tool. In this way, shredded files cannot be recovered even by advanced data recovery tools.
This all in one tool can help you get the space you need for your Mac device thus helping it perform faster and keeping your data safe as well.
>Clean up Mac >How to Delete Downloads on My Mac Device
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