#Mac empty trash command how to
#Mac empty trash command mac os x

If you have any feedback you would like to add, such as a comment or question, please leave it our discussion forum. Also, anything you do delete with this method may still be located in Time Machine or other backups. Just remember, secure erasing means your computer has to do extra work so it might take noticeably longer when performing larger delete operations. If youвЂ™re not comfortable in a command line environment, then you should skip this step and try a 3rd party utility in the next section. It allows you to modify your computer in ways you canвЂ™t reverse.

#Mac empty trash command mac os x

The Terminal application in Mac OS X can be scary.

#Mac empty trash command how to

Secure erasing does, however, add in just another layer of safetyВ that users may not have previously considered. 01) How to Force Empty Trash on Your Mac Using Terminal.

OS X has an entire preference panel for important options such asВ encryption, passwords, firewall, and more. Securely erasing the trash doesnвЂ™t absolve users of taking other security measures. Once theyвЂ™re open, click the вЂњAdvancedвЂќ tab and then check the box next to вЂњEmpty Trash securelyвЂќ.ДЇrom now on, whenever you empty the trash, it will not indicate it is a secure erase until you actually initiate it, whereafter it will display the previously mentioned warning. This is probably something you want to consider if you use a Mac with sensitive data or youвЂ™re just really privacy conscious, but for day-to-day erasures, it might be better to leave this option off.ДЇirst, open the Finder preferences from the вЂњFinderвЂќ menu or use the вЂњCommand + ,вЂќ keyboard shortcut combination. You should know however, that securely erasing data every time will take longer than not. If you donвЂ™t want to hold the вЂњCommandвЂќ key everyВ time you securely empty your trash, then you can enable it as the permanent default. Remember, hidden features and menus are normally accessible in OS X by using the вЂњOptionвЂќ key, but to access the hidden secure erase option, you need to use the вЂњCommandвЂќ key. Take note, however, if you do securely empty your trash with the intention of permanently erasing something, and you have Time Machine or another backup program running, then chances are thatВ the offending file or files will still exist. When you try to securely empty the trash, youвЂ™ll receive the following dialog warning you that this action is forever. You can also securely delete the Trash using the Finder menu. It would seem to follow logically that you can do the same thing with the Trash, however, when you want to securely delete files from your computer, you will need to actually hold down the вЂњCommandвЂќ key,В right-click, and then you can select вЂњSecure Empty TrashвЂќ.