Posted on 08/27/2011 6:47:03 PM PDT by library user
I am using a family member's Mac this weekend.
I have a bunch of stuff I moved to the trash that I want to delete.
However, they already had their own stuff already located in the trash.
So, both of our junk is in the same trash.
With Windows, it's very simple to delete specific files from the Recycle bin.
Is it even possible to delete only specific files from the trash on a Mac?
My googling tells me this is not possible. For real?
What the Mac forums tells me is this:
Create a new folder on the desktop to first separate their junk in the trash (which I don't want to delete, in case they need it back, at some point) from my junk (which I DO want to delete).
If you are a Mac user, you don't have the option to delete specific files from the trash, without first having to move files to a different location?
This is a serious question, as you would think you could just hold down the Control button on the Mac keyboard to delete select files from the trash. But, this doesn't seem to do the trick.
Thanks for any tips.
/johnny
Yes, that is what you said to do in a previous post without any explanation that you were being extremely cynical. Someone who didn't know anything about the Unix command line might actually do that. What pleasure would you get from seeing someone delete all the files on his or her computer?
You need to get over your self-rightous self.
And the joy I get is the kid learning how stuff really works, here, in this real world.
Great to be alive and here today, ain't it. Look around, pat your wife on her fanny, smile. Pat the kids on the head and smell the roses, cause you are going to die, soon enough.
But lots of folks don't get the lesson, and they die, grasping and whining all the way, demanding that others should 'behave'
I'm not playing your game. And you are too scared to play mine. So sod off.
/johnny
Well, that mythical someone would learn something about *nix, wouldn't they?
/johnny
Then tell your kids not to run a command that will delete all the files on their computer. That's good learning. It is unnecessary to actually delete all the files on your computer to know that is an extremely bad idea. Language will convey the knowledge.
/johnny
They would learn the lesson much better if you just told them not to run the command. They is no practical reason to trash you computer.
But I don't own anything on a file system that is worth getting my panties in a knot.
So... talk to me about midgets and ponies.... Is it true what they say?
/johnny
It is even simpler than the Windows way.
Just select the item in the trash and hit Cmd-Delete and that item disappears.
>> Deleting a file from the Trash window should send the file back to the folder where it came.<<
You’re right. Ignore my post #109
Man, I’m jealous!
MY shop teacher just kept staking me in the heart.
“What are you?! WHY do you keep coming back?! My soul isn’t that tasty!”
Then he’d cower and jibber in the corner.
What is it with some people not wanting to take out the trash. Picking threw the trash can to take out only theirs. Just be a kinda fella ( guys are the only one who take trash) and do everybody’s.
You tried but at this point it’s obvious that you’re casting pearls before swine. Some people seek to learn, some to teach, and some are just assholes ;-)
Yes, I tried. And some are just..., well I think you're right about that. I just hope nobody deletes all the files on their computer because of a sick and twisted joke.
Are you comfortable with the command line in a Terminal window? You can easily delete one or more files at a time. At the command line in a terminal window, first change to the Trash folder which is actually .Trash (the name begins with a dot):
cd ~/.Trash
To get a listing of of the files in the .Trash folder, use this command:
ls
Then use the rm (an abbreviation for remove) command on the files you want to delete:
rm "name of file"
Actually, it's quite easy to do if you don't mind typing. But once you use the rm command, the file is gone. So be certain you actually want to delete the file before using the command.
Thanks. I’ve been using Macs since the beginning and never knew you could do that.
It doesn't work in Lion (10.7) so I went back to make sure it was operating as I thought in Snow Leopard (10.6) and discovered instead of deleting the item from the Trash, the "Delete" toolbar icon is acting as a shortcut for the "Put Back" feature.
Instead of deleting the item it just moved it from out of the Trash back to its original location. You'll have to hunt it down again for removal.
What a terrible idea.
While it's true it'll be removed from the Trash, on Snow Leopard (10.6) the item will be moved back to where it was originally located.
It's the same behavior as if you'd chosen "Put Back" from the Finder's "File" menu.
The file is not deleted from the Trash, just moved safely out of it.
This bug (or "feature") is not present in Lion (10.7) or Tiger (10.4).
Apologies for the misdirection; I'm a bit stunned by the irrationality of the actual function.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.