When you delete a file on Mac, it doesn't disappear from your system immediately, but ends up in the Trash, a temporary area that allows you to recover it in case of an error. However, if you don't empty it regularly, the Trash can take up valuable disk space, slowing down your device. In this guide, we'll discover the different methods to empty it correctly, from the simplest to the most advanced options, ensuring effective file management and a system that's always in order.
Why empty the trash?
The basket on MacOS serves as a temporary storage area for deleted files. When you delete a file, it is not immediately removed from your hard drive, but moved to the Recycle Bin, where it remains until you empty it. This system allows you to recover accidentally deleted files. However, it is important to regularly empty the Recycle Bin to:
- Free up disk space.
- Maintain order in the system.
- Prevent confusion caused by no longer needed files.
Methods to empty the trash
There are several ways to empty the Trash on Mac. We'll explore the most common methods: manual, automatic and forced.
1. Manual emptying
The easiest way to empty the trash is to do it manually. Here's how:
- Find the icon of the Trash can in the Dock (usually found at the bottom right).
- You do right click on the Trash icon and select “Empty Trash” from the drop-down menu.
- A confirmation window will appear. Click the button “Empty Trash” to confirm the operation.
You can also open the Trash by doing Double-click on its icon and then clicking on the button “Empty” top right of the window.
2. Automatic emptying
To make managing your Mac even easier, you can set the system to empty automatically the basket every 30 days. Here's how to enable this feature:
- Open the Finder by clicking on the corresponding icon in the Dock.
- In the top menu bar, select "Finder" and then "Preferences".
- Go to the tab “Advanced”.
- Check the box next to “Remove items from Trash after 30 days”.
With this setting enabled, MacOS will automatically delete files in the Recycle Bin that haven't been used in more than a month, freeing up space without you having to manually intervene.
Troubleshooting
Sometimes you may encounter difficulties in emptying the trash. Here are some common solutions:
- Files in use: If you receive a message that a file is in use, close any applications that might be using the file and try emptying the Trash again.
- Restarting your Mac: If you still can't empty it, try restarting your Mac and trying again.
- Safe Mode: start your Mac in safe mode can help you delete stubborn files. Press and hold the key Uppercase when turning on your computer and try emptying the Recycle Bin again.
Additional Tips
- To delete items from the Recycle Bin without displaying the confirmation window, you can use the key combination Option + Command + Delete.
- If you want to have more control over the files to delete, you can directly open the folder Trash can and select individual items to remove before emptying it completely.
Conclusion
Empty the trash on Mac It is a simple but essential operation to keep your operating system efficient. Whether you choose to do it manually, automatically or whatever you want to know How to force empty it on Mac, following these steps will help you to Manage storage space better of your device.
Always remember to be careful when deleting files, especially when using commands in the terminal. With good management of your files, you will be able to enjoy a smoother and more organized user experience on your Mac.