How to Force Empty Trash on Mac External Drives

When it comes to managing files and folders, both Windows and Mac have their own ways of dealing with deleted items. On a Mac, the Trash can is a special folder where deleted files are stored temporarily before they are permanently erased from your hard drive. This allows you to easily recover accidentally deleted files if needed. However, sometimes you may need to force empty the Trash on an external drive connected to your Mac.

Forcing Empty Trash on Mac External Drives

To force empty the Trash on a Mac external drive, follow these steps:

1. Connect the external drive to your Mac.

2. Go to the Apple menu and select 'About This Mac'.

3. Click on 'Storage' and then click on 'Manage'.

4. Select the external drive from the list of storage devices.

5. Click on the 'Eject' button next to the Trash can icon.

Alternatively, you can use the Terminal command to force empty the Trash on an external drive. To do this:

1. Open the Terminal app on your Mac.

2. Type the following command: `rm -rf /Volumes/External\ Drive/Trash`

3. Replace 'External Drive' with the name of your external drive.

Tips for Forcing Empty Trash on Mac External Drives

* Before you force empty the Trash, make sure to check if there are any files in the Trash that you still need.

* If you're using an external hard drive, consider using a third-party app like Disk Cleanup or CleanMyMac to help you manage your files and free up space on your drive.

* Always back up your important files regularly to prevent data loss in case something goes wrong with your Mac.

Forcing empty the Trash on a Mac external drive can be a useful way to free up space on your drive, but it's essential to exercise caution when doing so. By following the steps outlined above and using the right tools and techniques, you can safely force empty the Trash on an external drive connected to your Mac.

How to force empty trash on mac external drives