Can't Empty Trash Completely

[Skylamar]

Hi. I have four items in my Trash and when I chose Empty Trash, they
won't delete.

Three are older versions of software programs I'd updated with new
versions. I believe all three updates were done in-app.

The fourth is a folder of a software program I downloaded as a trial.

I use Pathfinder and the error I'm getting is OSStatus Error - 47,
saying the files are busy.

I tried emptying the Trash in the Finder as well and it also said the
files are in use, though did not provide the exact error number as
Pathfinder did.

I ran Activity Monitor and there are no processes related to any of the
programs.

I'm assuming restarting my Mac will solve the problem, but I'm just
wondering if there's anything else I can do.

Thanks,

Sky

[Michael Vilain]

Post by Skylamar
Hi. I have four items in my Trash and when I chose Empty Trash, they
won't delete.
Three are older versions of software programs I'd updated with new
versions. I believe all three updates were done in-app.
The fourth is a folder of a software program I downloaded as a trial.
I use Pathfinder and the error I'm getting is OSStatus Error - 47,
saying the files are busy.
I tried emptying the Trash in the Finder as well and it also said the
files are in use, though did not provide the exact error number as
Pathfinder did.
I ran Activity Monitor and there are no processes related to any of the
programs.
I'm assuming restarting my Mac will solve the problem, but I'm just
wondering if there's anything else I can do.
Thanks,
Sky

Try the Secure Empty Trash from the Finder menu. Sometimes that will
empty the trash for stuff like this. If that doesn't work, try
rebooting your system. That will clear the process that's opened the
file. Then you should be able to clean out the Trash folder. Yes,
this is the easiest way to do this.

Alternately, you can run the Terminal app and use lsof to list the files
that are open by various processes. Then you can kill the process and
empty the trash.

[Skylamar]

Post by Michael Vilain
Try the Secure Empty Trash from the Finder menu. Sometimes that will
empty the trash for stuff like this.

That worked. Thanks!

[nospam]

Post by Skylamar
Hi. I have four items in my Trash and when I chose Empty Trash, they
won't delete.
Three are older versions of software programs I'd updated with new
versions. I believe all three updates were done in-app.
The fourth is a folder of a software program I downloaded as a trial.
I use Pathfinder and the error I'm getting is OSStatus Error - 47,
saying the files are busy.
I tried emptying the Trash in the Finder as well and it also said the
files are in use, though did not provide the exact error number as
Pathfinder did.
I ran Activity Monitor and there are no processes related to any of the
programs.
I'm assuming restarting my Mac will solve the problem, but I'm just
wondering if there's anything else I can do.

logging out and back in is probably sufficient.

[Paul Sture]

Post by Skylamar
Hi. I have four items in my Trash and when I chose Empty Trash, they
won't delete.
Three are older versions of software programs I'd updated with new
versions. I believe all three updates were done in-app.
The fourth is a folder of a software program I downloaded as a trial.
I use Pathfinder and the error I'm getting is OSStatus Error - 47,
saying the files are busy.
I tried emptying the Trash in the Finder as well and it also said the
files are in use, though did not provide the exact error number as
Pathfinder did.
I ran Activity Monitor and there are no processes related to any of the
programs.
I'm assuming restarting my Mac will solve the problem, but I'm just
wondering if there's anything else I can do.

You could try logging out and in again instead of restarting.

[Király]

Post by Paul Sture

Post by Skylamar
I'm assuming restarting my Mac will solve the problem, but I'm just
wondering if there's anything else I can do.

You could try logging out and in again instead of restarting.

Before trying any of that I'd try holding down the option key while
emptying the trash.