Unwanted Items on Desktop

duracell123duracell123
Posted:
in Genius Bar edited January 2014
Please help!



Sometimes downloads from the web have been interrupted and not fully downloaded to my desktop, (appearing like a faded grey Explorer 'e' in a box).



Each time I drag them to trash an error message comes up telling me the file is in use..



So now I have these download 'carcasses' that I can't get rid of. They don't appear in my 'Download Manager' so I can't canel then reload. If I try to replace the files and error message tells me I 'don't have the right privelidges'.



What can I do to get rid of them save re-installing the OS altogether?!



Many thanks for any advice



Chris

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 7
    maccrazymaccrazy Posts: 2,658member
    Quote:

    Originally posted by Duracell123

    Please help!



    Sometimes downloads from the web have been interrupted and not fully downloaded to my desktop, (appearing like a faded grey Explorer 'e' in a box).



    Each time I drag them to trash an error message comes up telling me the file is in use..



    So now I have these download 'carcasses' that I can't get rid of. They don't appear in my 'Download Manager' so I can't canel then reload. If I try to replace the files and error message tells me I 'don't have the right privelidges'.



    What can I do to get rid of them save re-installing the OS altogether?!



    Many thanks for any advice



    Chris



    quit all applications and then try putting them in the trash. Then restart and then empty trash. If not I don't know
  • Reply 2 of 7
    duracell123duracell123 Posts: 4member
    Thanks for that! I've tried it but still doesn't work...
  • Reply 3 of 7
    maccrazymaccrazy Posts: 2,658member
    Quote:

    Originally posted by Duracell123

    Thanks for that! I've tried it but still doesn't work...



    are the files locked? Did you use internet explorer?
  • Reply 4 of 7
    duracell123duracell123 Posts: 4member
    Yes I used IE but I don't know if the files are 'locked' - what does that mean??
  • Reply 5 of 7
    maccrazymaccrazy Posts: 2,658member
    Quote:

    Originally posted by Duracell123

    Yes I used IE but I don't know if the files are 'locked' - what does that mean??



    select the item then press apple(command)-I A dialogue box will appear it will tell you if the files are locked or not (in the general tab). You could also try changing the permissions if it isn't locked. Click on the arrow next to permissions (I think this is what it's called - I'm not with my Mac). You can change the owner to you - this will enable you to delete it.
  • Reply 6 of 7
    jwri004jwri004 Posts: 626member
    Have you considered using the terminal to destroy these pesky critters?



    Google for sudo rm and a possible solution should appear.
  • Reply 7 of 7
    duracell123duracell123 Posts: 4member
    Thanks for the advice! By following it i found an application called 'Force Delete' that worked a treat!



    Cheers

    Chris
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