Locked File/Folder Can't Delete

Discussion in 'iMac' started by hollowman82, Feb 6, 2016.

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  1. hollowman82, Feb 6, 2016

    hollowman82 macrumors newbie

    Joined:
    Aug 12, 2015
    #1
    Hi all

    I'm not really a OS X expert and would like some help please.

    I have a folder in my standard downloads folder called VIDEO_TS (I was ripping a DVD last week).

    For the life of me I can't delete this folder. I have properly closed all DVD ripping software etc and rebooted my mac. When I go to delete the folder, it asks for my system password, I enter it and press ok, then nothing happens, the folder/files just stay there.

    I don't know how to find out what process's are using the folder and how to kill it.

    Any suggestions would be appreciated.
     
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  2. redheeler, Feb 7, 2016

    redheeler macrumors 604

    redheeler

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2014
    #2
    Try using Terminal. "sudo rm -rf " and drag the folder you want to delete there. Hit return, it will prompt you for your password, and it should permanently delete the folder.
     
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  3. hollowman82, Feb 7, 2016

    hollowman82 thread starter macrumors newbie

    Joined:
    Aug 12, 2015
    #3
    ah you're a legend. That worked! ... THANK YOU!

    So the full command was;

    sudo rm -rf /Users/MYUSERNAME/Downloads/VIDEO_TS
     
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  4. macthefork, Feb 7, 2016

    macthefork macrumors 6502

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    Feb 2, 2013
    #4
    I'd be careful with that "sudo rm" terminal command. I've seen it used incorrectly with unintended forced deletion of necessary OS and other important files. One small typo can ruin your day, especially with that command used above.

    A safer and simply way to gain privileges to a file is to select the file without opening it. Left click (or go to file menu) and select "Get Info." Click on the lock at the bottom of the window and enter your password. Then make sure that you or administrator has Read and Write access. Then you can delete the file normally.

    Sometimes, simply using Secure Delete will also delete the difficult file.
     
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    santaliqueur likes this.
  5. hollowman82, Feb 7, 2016

    hollowman82 thread starter macrumors newbie

    Joined:
    Aug 12, 2015
    #5
    thanks for the advice macthefork, I'll keep that in mind next time something decides to lock itself.

    I've got time machine running anyway so if I ever run into serious trouble i can always go back to the future ;)
     
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