How to delete a file without moving to trash?

Killwin98 · Feb 5, 2013

Hello! I finally bought a mac, and I'm having some hard times adjusting to the system from windows. For example, how do I delete file with one click?
I searched around, and I tried fn+backspace, cmd+backspace, but they don't do anything..
Why can't I label some of the files?
Is there an auto-arrange function to arrange the icons like in windows?

Thanks!

GGJstudios · Feb 5, 2013

Killwin98 said:
Hello! I finally bought a mac,

Congrats!

Killwin98 said:
and I'm having some hard times adjusting to the system from windows.

This may be useful:

Helpful Information for Any Mac User
iMac Fast Start: The new user's guide to iMac

Killwin98 said:
For example, how do I delete file with one click?

You don't specify what you're trying to delete. If it's highlighted text, just use the delete key. If it's a file in Finder, use the Command-Delete key combination or right-click on the file and Move to Trash. If it's a song in iTunes, Option-Delete. It helps if you describe what, exactly, you're trying to delete and what app you're using.

Killwin98 said:
Why can't I label some of the files?

Label what files? And what do you mean by "label"? Do you mean change the file name?

Killwin98 said:
Is there an auto-arrange function to arrange the icons like in windows?

Many times Finder won't remember the arrangement if you leave and come back to a window. Just right-click and Arrange by. I rarely use icon view for this and other reasons.

Killwin98 · Feb 5, 2013

I was trying to delete a file from my external HDD, which is formatted in NTFS, so now I understand I can only read-only, which is a pity, since I want to use it normally. Which is the best way to format so it would fit both mac and pc, and would allow files larger than 2GB?

I meant labeling a file with color, but it was also a problem with the external HDD.

So there's no way to autoarrange the icons like they are autoarranged in the "utilities" window for example?

Another feature I'm missing from Windows is to zoom in and out a photo with the mouse scroll, and then navigate in the photo with the "hand" tool. Is it possible to do it in mac (in the native photo viewer)?

Thanks again! (by the way, it's the new imac 27!

)

GGJstudios · Feb 5, 2013

Killwin98 said:
I was trying to delete a file from my external HDD, which is formatted in NTFS, so now I understand I can only read-only, which is a pity, since I want to use it normally. Which is the best way to format so it would fit both mac and pc, and would allow files larger than 2GB?

Format A Hard Drive Using Disk Utility (which is in your /Applications/Utilities folder)

Choose the appropriate format:

HFS+ (Hierarchical File System, a.k.a. Mac OS Extended (Journaled) Don't use case-sensitive)

Read/Write HFS+ from native Mac OS X
Required for Time Machine or Carbon Copy Cloner or SuperDuper! backups of Mac OS X system files.
[*]To Read/Write HFS+ from Windows, Install MacDrive
[*]To Read HFS+ (but not Write) from Windows, Install HFSExplorer
Maximum file size: 8EiB
Maximum volume size: 8EiB
Mac OS X: Mac OS Extended format (HFS Plus) volume and file limits
You can use this format if you only use the drive with Mac OS X, or use it for backups of your Mac OS X internal drive, or if you only share it with one Windows PC (with MacDrive installed on the PC)

NTFS (Windows NT File System)

Read/Write NTFS from native Windows.
Read only NTFS from native Mac OS X
[*]To Read/Write/Format NTFS from Mac OS X, here are some alternatives:
- For Mac OS X 10.4 or later (32 or 64-bit), install Paragon ($19.95) (Best Choice for Lion and Mountain Lion)
- For Mac OS X 10.5 and later, including Lion, FUSE for OS X
- For 32-bit Mac OS X, install NTFS-3G for Mac OS X (free) (does not work in 64-bit mode)
- Some have reported problems using Tuxera (approx $36), which is an enhanced version of NTFS-3G with faster performance.
- Native NTFS support can be enabled in Snow Leopard and later versions, but is not advisable, due to instability.
AirPort Extreme (802.11n) and Time Capsule do not support NTFS
Maximum file size: 16 TB
Maximum volume size: 256TB
You can use this format if you routinely share a drive with multiple Windows systems.

exFAT (FAT64)

Supported in Mac OS X only in 10.6.5 or later.
Not all Windows versions support exFAT. See disadvantages.
exFAT (Extended File Allocation Table)
AirPort Extreme (802.11n) and Time Capsule do not support exFAT
Maximum file size: 16 EiB
Maximum volume size: 64 ZiB
You can use this format if it is supported by all computers with which you intend to share the drive. See "disadvantages" for details.

FAT32 (File Allocation Table)

Read/Write FAT32 from both native Windows and native Mac OS X.
[*]Maximum file size: 4GB.
Maximum volume size: 2TB
You can use this format if you share the drive between Mac OS X and Windows computers and have no files larger than 4GB.

Killwin98 said:
So there's no way to autoarrange the icons like they are autoarranged in the "utilities" window for example?

What do you mean by "utilities window"? The /Applications/Utilities folder is subject to the same view settings in Finder as any other folder.

Killwin98 said:
Another feature I'm missing from Windows is to zoom in and out a photo with the mouse scroll, and then navigate in the photo with the "hand" tool. Is it possible to do it in mac (in the native photo viewer)?

Using the Control key with the scroll wheel on your mouse will zoom your entire screen, regardless of its contents. If you're talking about zooming in on a photo in Preview, I don't know of any way to zoom with the mouse, but Preview has "+" and "-" icons on the toolbar for zooming. You can also resize photos in Preview.

Killwin98 · Feb 6, 2013

I have decided to use Tuxera NTSF. So far it works perfectly. Is there an advantage to Paragon?

Mountain Lion was preinstalled on my mac when I opened it. If I will ever want to format and start clean, how can I do it?

I managed by myself to rearrange the icons. Thanks for the help though!

After importing photos from my iphone using iPhoto, they appear to be gone from my iPhone (on iPhoto), but when checking my iPhone they are still there. It ask me if I want to delete the photos. Does it mean only the photos I imported? Because I didn't import all of them, and I wouldn't like it to delete all my photos!
Is there a way I can manage/copy/delete photos from my iPhone through my mac? (something that I used to do in Windows...) I just can't do it with iPhoto. Actually I can't even OPEN the photos on my iphone through my mac before importing them. All I see is their preview.

Using the Control key with the scroll wheel on your mouse will zoom your entire screen, regardless of its contents. If you're talking about zooming in on a photo in Preview, I don't know of any way to zoom with the mouse, but Preview has "+" and "-" icons on the toolbar for zooming. You can also resize photos in Preview.

Using control + mouse scroll doesn't zoom in and out anywhere. Should I enable it somewhere? I couldn't find it in the mouse settings.

Thanks again for all your help! I'm already in love with my imac!

GGJstudios · Feb 6, 2013

Killwin98 said:
I have decided to use Tuxera NTSF. So far it works perfectly. Is there an advantage to Paragon?

There have been fewer reports of problems with Paragon, and it's less expensive than Tuxera.

Killwin98 said:
Mountain Lion was preinstalled on my mac when I opened it. If I will ever want to format and start clean, how can I do it?

OS X: About OS X Recovery
How to Clean Install OS X Mountain Lion
Apple - OS X Recovery restores your Mac with a few clicks.
Hands on with Mountain Lion's OS X Recovery and Internet Recovery

Killwin98 said:
Using control + mouse scroll doesn't zoom in and out anywhere. Should I enable it somewhere? I couldn't find it in the mouse settings.

System Preferences > Mouse

ScreenCap 2013-02-06 at Wed, Feb 6,9.29.14 AM .PNG

ScoobyMcDoo · Feb 6, 2013

GGJstudios said:
If you're talking about zooming in on a photo in Preview, I don't know of any way to zoom with the mouse, but Preview has "+" and "-" icons on the toolbar for zooming. You can also resize photos in Preview.

I use the magic pad instead of a mouse - I can use pinch to zoom in preview. Since you are talking about a wheel on your mouse, I assume you are not using the mouse that came with your mac - not sure what is available in that case.

GGJstudios · Feb 6, 2013

ScoobyMcDoo said:
I use the magic pad instead of a mouse - I can use pinch to zoom in preview. Since you are talking about a wheel on your mouse, I assume you are not using the mouse that came with your mac - not sure what is available in that case.

No mouse came with my Mac.

ScoobyMcDoo · Feb 6, 2013

GGJstudios said:
No mouse came with my Mac.

That part was actually directed towards the OP - sorry I wasn't explicit. He said he has the iMac 27, which I assume ships with some sort of mouse. I bought an iMac a long time ago and it shipped with the mighty mouse - looks like they ship with the magic mouse now.

GGJstudios · Feb 6, 2013

ScoobyMcDoo said:
That part was actually directed towards the OP - sorry I wasn't explicit. He said he has the iMac 27, which I assume ships with some sort of mouse. I bought an iMac a long time ago and it shipped with the mighty mouse - looks like they ship with the magic mouse now.

Gotcha. It did look to me like you were talking about mine.

Killwin98 · Feb 6, 2013

I don't have that screen because I don't have a tracking pad I guess... So there's no option to zoom in and out with the mouse?

GGJstudios · Feb 6, 2013

Killwin98 said:
I don't have that screen because I don't have a tracking pad I guess... So there's no option to zoom in and out with the mouse?

That screen has nothing to do with a trackpad. It's a setting for the mouse, found in System Preferences > Mouse

Killwin98 · Feb 7, 2013

This is what I have:

So where do I click to see the other options?

GGJstudios · Feb 7, 2013

Killwin98 said:
This is what I have:

Image
Image

So where do I click to see the other options?

Ah, yes. Another thing they moved with Lion/ML. It's now on the Accessibility pane.

ScoobyMcDoo · Feb 7, 2013

Killwin98 said:
So where do I click to see the other options?

I'm guessing GGJStudios gave you a screen shot from an earlier rev of OSX. In ML, the screen zoom is now under settings->accessibility->zoom.

This is a screen zoom, though, so you will loose resolution as you zoom. If using preview for photos or PDF docs, you will get a higher res zoom if you use the zooming at the application level. Like ai said, with my magic pad, pinching in and out does zooming. I don't know what is available with your magic mouse. I see in your screen shot there is a double-tab to "smart zoom", however I have no idea what a smart zoom is - something you can play with I suppose.

Killwin98 · Feb 10, 2013

Thanks ScoobyMcDoo and GGJstudios! That worked!
If I will have more questions I will open it in a new thread since it's no longer related to the topic.

Thanks again!

Gregg2 · Feb 11, 2013

GGJstudios said:
Many times Finder won't remember the arrangement if you leave and come back to a window. ... I rarely use icon view for this and other reasons.

I don't find that to be true at all. I only use Icon View. I guess it all depends on how you have it set up.

Killwin98 said:
So there's no way to autoarrange the icons like they are autoarranged in the "utilities" window for example?

Sure there is. Just play around with Show View Options.

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How to delete a file without moving to trash?

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