Help deleting a old macOS install app?

[Imola Ghost]

I helped my sister format and refresh an old MacBook Pro and I used my newer MacBook Pro to create a bootable USB drive.

Now that I'm finished I cannot seem to get rid of this download. I've changed the name, its sitting in the trash bin but it won't delete.

Ideas?

It says when I try to empty the trash, "The operation can’t be completed because the item “stupid OS that won't delete.app” is in use."

You can see the name change. LOL

 

[Imola Ghost]

When I select delete immediately it says:

"The operation can’t be completed because some items had to be skipped. For each item, choose File > Get Info, make sure “Locked” is deselected, and then check the Sharing & Permissions section. When you are sure the items are unlocked and not designated as Read Only or No Access, try again."


It won't let me Put it back or Remove Download.


Help!

 

[DeltaMac]

Several steps you can try:
1. Restart your Mac, then try to empty the trash.
2. Restart into Safe boot mode, then try emptying the trash.
3. Move that installer app out of your trash. Make a new folder, then drag that app into that folder. Put THAT in the trash, and try emptying the trash now.
4. Use terminal to empty the trash.

How to force empty Trash on your Mac using Terminal

My Mac says an item can't be deleted. WTF? How do I fix it? There's a Terminal trick for that!

www.imore.com

 

[Imola Ghost]

1. Tried that and no luck
2. Tried that and no luck

3. Trying now!

 

[Imola Ghost]

3. Didn't work either. It at least allowed me to move the app out of the trash can.

4. Trying now

 

[Ritsuka]

Reboot from the recovery partition and use Terminal to delete the installer.

 

[Imola Ghost]

Here is the results of number 4 and it did not empty the trash. UGH!


todd@Todds-MBP ~ % sudo rm -R /Users/todd/Library/Mobile\ Documents/com\~apple\~CloudDocs/.Trash/stupid\ OS\ that\ won\'t\ delete.app


Password:


override rw-r--r-- root/wheel restricted for /Users/todd/Library/Mobile Documents/com~apple~CloudDocs/.Trash/stupid OS that won't delete.app/Contents/SharedSupport/InstallESD.dmg?


rm: /Users/todd/Library/Mobile Documents/com~apple~CloudDocs/.Trash/stupid OS that won't delete.app/Contents/SharedSupport: Directory not empty


rm: /Users/todd/Library/Mobile Documents/com~apple~CloudDocs/.Trash/stupid OS that won't delete.app/Contents: Directory not empty


rm: /Users/todd/Library/Mobile Documents/com~apple~CloudDocs/.Trash/stupid OS that won't delete.app: Directory not empty

 

[DeltaMac]

If that doesn't work, you probably will be successful after disabling SIP.

How to turn off System Integrity Protection on your Mac

System Integrity Protection exists to keep your Mac safe. If you absolutely need to turn it off, however, here's how you do it.

www.imore.com

You should then re-enable SIP when you have finally removed that app successfully.

 

[AlteMac]

i had the same issue. The only thing that worked was disabling SIP, rebooting and then emptying the trash

 

[choreo]

Same thing - twice. Only thing that worked for me was to download/install Cocktail app. That allowed me to delete the file in the trash.