how to force empty trash on mac external drives

Still stuck? You may have a startup or login item using the file. If it was in the background processes, you should successfully delete the file now. To clear up doubts, reboot your Mac and then try emptying the file again. In these cases, it may not appear in the background processes. Often, infected files hide their location and you may not know where it’s open. This means you’ll have to close these files before you can remove permanently. A pop-up will appear as follows “The operation can’t be completed because the item is in use”. Another app or background process might be using files. Mostly, Trash won’t empty if you have files still under use. Why my Mac says 'the operation can not be completed'? Can I Force Empty the Trash with Files in Use? People Also Read: Top 4 Ways to Teach You How to Format MacBook Pro How to Clean up Other Storage on Mac? Part 1. Other Ways to Force Delete the Trash with Files in Use The Operation Can’t be Completed because the Item is in Use Part 3. Can I Force Empty the Trash with Files in Use? Part 2. For advanced Mac users, we’ll walk you through Terminal to nuke the Trash contents.Ĭontents: Part 1. We’ll also dissect disk-related issues and how to fix it. It sheds light on how to check locked or active files in the background process. This guide exhaustively explores proven solutions to these issues. You can override the error quickly and easily but you have to know its root.

This prevents emptying the Trash folder and permanent deletion of certain files. Have you encountered the issue “ The operation can’t be completed because the item is in use” when you delete a file? Sometimes your Mac gets hyper-apprehensive if you attempt any action that would corrupt the software in use.

How to force empty trash on mac external drives