Can not "put back" file from trash

[photoman60]

Hello,

New guy here. I have an issue with the trash bin, in that I am unable to "put back" a file that is currently sitting in my trash bin. The file had some tems that could not be deleted so I decided to return it to where it was originally filed. However, the "Put Back" command is greyed out and as it sits, is effectively blocking any attempts to delete and additional files. I am at my wits end on this. So any help or tips would be most appreciated. I am running a 27in Imac with Sierra.

Thanks in advance.

 

[harryb2448]

G'day and elcome to the forums.

Try a reboot and see if that clears it.

 

[ferrarr]

Did you restart your Mac? Another option, is to hold "option" then select "Empty Trash".

 

[photoman60]

Hi Guys,

Indeed I did two reboots, to no avail. The file blocking my trash bin huge (hoping to free up some disc space), but would not delete due to several important files needed for the OS, so I decided to return it to it's home on the drive. However the "Put Back" function is not showing and greyed out in the finder menu, so now I have a huge file blocking my trash bin making any further deletions on my main Mac, impossible. I really need a work around on this, driving me batty.

Thanks for the feedback guys

 

[chscag]

Drag the file from the Trash and place it somewhere it can easily be found such as your desktop or your Documents folder. Then go ahead and empty the Trash as per normal. If you know where the offending file belongs, you can move it there. If you want to get rid of it for good, boot to safe mode and delete it from there.

 

[photoman60]

Thanks chsag, tried that earlier, did not work. I did find a work around and will be able to delete files around this "clog", still like to get it out of the bin.

 

[Rod]

Hi photoman60, you mentioned that you were unable to empty the trash because,"due to several important files needed for the OS"
As placing a file in the trash effectively disables it have you seen any changes in function on your device as a result?
If not they have either been recreated or were not essential in the first place.
Assuming you are willing to take that risk this site describes a way in which you can Force Empty the Trash. http://www.imore.com/how-force-empty-trash-your-mac-using-terminal
Please get back to us on the result as I have not tried this method myself.

 

[photoman60]

Hi Rod,

I've seen this demonstrated on YouTube, but frankly I am very hesitant about getting into the guts of my Mac. So much can go amiss leaving me with a bigger and costly headache than I currently have. Aside from the clog in my bin, everything is running normally, I'll wait it out and seek out a Mac Pro, besides I do have a MacBook Pro (road rig) as a back up should anything else go haywire in the interim.

Thanks fo the suggestion,

 

[IWT]

Assuming that emptying Trash is your goal and you accept the possible risks, there are other ways that are safe and do not include Terminal.

Open Trash, highlight all the items you want to delete. Now use Option + Command + Backspace (delete). This should bring up a small window saying are you sure etc with OK or Cancel. Click OK.

If that doesn't work, here is another:

This simply involves downloading OnyX, a much respected app on these Forums. Make sure you get the version for macOS Sierra. Install, Open, then choose "Clean" from the OnyX window and "Trash". Then hit Execute.

OnyX can be downloaded from here: http://www.titanium.free.fr/onyx.html (NB I tried this at 9am (GMT) today and found that the site was temporarily down).

I have found that my first suggestion nearly always works - and OnyX has never failed me, yet.

Ian

 

[photoman60]

Thanks Ian,

Gave OnyX a shot and it did free up a lot of space, however my problem remains. At every attempt to trash the file, I get the following error message ..."The operation can't be completed because one or more required items can not be found.."

Thanks agin for all the help and suggestions, very much appreciated.

Thomas

 

[photoman60]

Good News, the issue is resolved, just did a reboot
And viola, my trash bin is free and empty. Again, that so much to all for the assist , I can breath a bit easier now.

Thanks again..

THomas

 

[IWT]

Congratulations, Thomas.

Amazing what a reboot can do!

Ian

 

[photoman60]

Indeed Ian, indeed......

 

[RadDave]

Good News, the issue is resolved, just did a reboot
And viola, my trash bin is free and empty. Again, that so much to all for the assist , I can breath a bit easier now.

Hi Thomas - just curious, after you ran Onyx, did you reboot the computer (typically suggested w/ that app) - if not, then your reboot above may put the credit on the app? Thanks for any comments - Dave

 

[photoman60]

Hi Dave,
No, not immediately.After several failed attempts to delete the file, I decided to give a reboot another try and it worked, that annoying file was gone. Indeed, I am normally wary of using 3rd party software for obvious reasons, but OnyX seem to do the trick.

 

[IWT]

Ah, good point, Dave.

Normally requires and advises a reboot after it has done it's business. You're right, photoman60, OnyX often does the trick. We like it here provided you stick to the Automation tab or, in this case Clean. It's also great for rebuilding Launch Services and the like.

Ian