Can I delete the files my Mac makes?

When i connect my iPod to my mac, I see files in my windows like ".DS_STORE" and ".iPodControl".
There are all small files and the type is whatever the name is. They're kinda annoying when you have 10 hidden files that seem to have no use.
Thanks in advance.

Since this is an iTunes question, you may have more luck posting in the iTunes for Mac forum. Make sure you post in the Mac forum, as you have posted in the Windows forum here.

Similar Messages

How can I delete the files .DS_store in Mac OS Yosemite?

How can I delete the files .DS_store in Mac OS Yosemite?

The .DS_Store file is normal. It holds certain settings related to the folder it is found in. Removing these files is futile, as they will come back, as you have observed.
If you are seeing them on your Mac, that means you have changed settings so that your Mac is showing invisible files in the Finder. To reverse that, run the following command in the Terminal:
defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles NO
This will hide them, and any other invisible files, from view.
If you are seeing them on a Windows machine, just ignore them. They're not doing any harm.
If you found a Terminal command that is supposed to stop them from being created, I would be extremely skeptical as to the wisdom of running it.

Can I delete the files/folders in 'Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup'?

Hi!
I have just tried to backup and update my iphone to iOS 5.1. The backup seems to have worked but when it came to restoring the iphone, I think the hard disk ran out of space and so it failed. I saw this and so I freed up around 3Gb of disk space and I tried it again. It again failed. Again I noticed that there was no space left on the hard disk. I assumed that to continue the restore it probably won't need that much more space (as it had already done most of the work) so I freed up a few more Gb.
Again it failed. When it fails, itunes leaves the partially restored elements on my hard disk meaning that my 'Apple Computer' folder is now 28Gb!! I cannot afford to delete anything else from the hard disk. I am using a PC by the way. I have noticed that in the folder 'Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup' has 5 folders in it which is the same amount that I tried to restore the iphone (before the last restore attempt there were 4 folders). These folders amount to 20Gb. From this I am assuming that the actual backup that I made is infact in 'Apple Computer\iTunes\Mobile Backups'.
Can I delete the folders in 'MobileSync\Backup'? This would free up 20Gb of disk space giving me enough to properly restore (in theory!).
Thanks for your time!!
Nick

your advice worked for me and saved me what ever evil lurked behind my thought to just delete the backup and get back my very lmited space on my 250GB Mackbook Pro using daisydisk pro https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/daisydisk/id411643860?mt=12
Why DaisyDisk?
DaisyDisk remains the tool of choice for film makers (including companies like Pixar), digital artists, IT professionals and hundreds of thousands of Mac users worldwide when it comes to disk space management. Constantly improving since its initial introduction, the app easily blows away competition in terms of speed, efficiency and user experience.
@wjostenMar 27, 2012 4:03 AM Re: Can I delete the files/folders in 'Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup'?
Re: Can I delete the files/folders in 'Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup'?in response to nickcrowney
Delete iOS backups this way: iTunes>Preferences>Devices...select the backup/backups...hit delete. Do not mess with your backup folder.

Once a movie is copied into iTunes, can I delete the file from the folder?

I've copied several movies into iTunes and then sync'd them onto my Apple TV.
My question is: Once I've copied a movie into iTunes, can I delete the movie from its original folder (e.g. the Movie folder) and still have the movie in my iTunes?
More specifically, does "dragging and dropping" the movie into iTunes make a new copy of the movie file so that I can delete the original file? And if I can delete the original file, should I?
MacBook Pro Mac OS X (10.4.9)

Thanks. I'll check and see when I get home tonight. My guess is that that's the setting since my disk space has decreased a lot when I started copying things into iTunes.
MacBook Pro Mac OS X (10.4.9)

I download confidential info & save to a secured flash drive; how can I delete the file from "downloads" after that?

I am a mental health professional. My supervisor emails me confidential information as Word documents, which I download using Firefox. When the download is complete, I open the document and save it to my secured flash drive. I would like to then delete the file from my computer, so the flash drive has the only copy, to protect my clients' privacy. The only directions I can find are for deleting the entry from the downloads list, but not the file itself.

There is technology known as RMS which you could set series of policies like only members in the company could access certain documents and if someone copy them and attempt to run them in another PC or outside company, it won't work. Take a look at:
http://blogs.technet.com/b/rms/archive/2013/08/29/the-new-microsoft-rms-is-live-in-preview.aspx
https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd277361.aspx

How to resume partial download of adobe CS6,can't find the file on mac

hi ,
i was downloading adobce cs6 purchased yesterday but could only download 4gb out of 4.8gb. when i am again trying to resume the same download i cant find the file on mac in downloads folder. dont want to download all over again. Any suggestions
regards
amit dave

The problem of tracks becoming de-linked between iTunes and the music files in your iTunes music folder happens for different reasons - this seems to come up fairly commonly in this forum.
The solution can be to locate each song in the iTunes library, as you mentioned - or, but wait, before I get to that...
trouble finding the original track in your iTunes music folder? maybe look for it under compilations, or if not using the 'group compilations preference' then look in the folder under the songs artist name, but what song artist name iTunes uses depends on what you have in the metedata tag spot for album artist or song artist. Any varyation in artist name spelling, in the menu item 'get info' metadata for any selected individual track will cause iTunes to create that as a separate artist folder in the library, even names like 'various' or any difference at all (even the word 'the' can change where in your iTunes music folder a track gets placed by iTunes). You can try to use the finder function of find file (finder munu item outside of iTunes) to locate hard to find items.
Back to how to re-link any de-linked tracks .
There may be scripts that can help re-link de-linked music files - or, at least provide you a list of such files, Scripts are easy to install and use...
at Dougs Scripts, there is one called iTunes Track CPR that might work
http://dougscripts.com/itunes/scripts/ss.php?sp=itunestrackcpr
or, if you just want a list of de-linked tracks, go to
http://dougscripts.com/itunes/
and find the script called List MIA's, this will create a text file listing all de-linked tracks
if you review the thread at
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3633708
also the thread at
https://discussions.apple.com/message/17513078#17513078
you may find more insight into dealing with this kind of issue there, although some of that thread may not apply to your case, aspects of it might help.
Good luck.

I can not delete the file!Help me please.

I use File.delete() to delete a file,
but it didn't work,
why?
OS is win2k.
Thanks

Hi All,
I have been chasing down the solution to this problem in more than one thread, and, for my situation at least, I have found it.
It was stupidity on my part... that was the problem. No, I did not carelessly fail to do a close() on the stream, or any similar thing.
No, I stupidly used the filename when I instantiated the File object with which I was to delete the file, rather than the entire path plus filename. Consequently, to the File object, the file didn't exist (you are allowed to create File objects in Java with bogus file names). This can be tested by using the exists() method of the File instance.
Here's some code that worked for me:
     private void deleteFiles(){
          //Your mission: delete all files in subdirectory "Output" of
          //"C:/Input/".
          File inputDirectory = new File("C:/Input/");
          String[] outputFiles;
          File outputDirectory = new File(inputDirectory.getPath() +
          "\\Output\\");
          outputFiles = outputDirectory.list();
          for(int i = 0; i < outputFiles.length; i++){
               File aFile = new File(inputDirectory.getPath() +
               "\\Output\\" + outputFiles);
               aFile.delete();
I hope that this is helpful.
I am,
Mike O'Connor
(the "power user", not the professional by the same name who also participates in this forum)

Firefox wont now start under Windows8 - it thinks it is open - I can not uninstall as it thinks firefox is running - I can't delete the files manually either

Firefox was working ok my wife's computer for the last month under Windows 8. We just had to reinstall MS Office and now Firefox will not open. I tried deleting it through Control Panel, but that fails - it thinks the application is running. I tried deleting the files manually, but again failed as it thought a file was open. Helper will not open either.

Have you tried shutting down and restarting Windows since this problem started? Problems with uninstalling can be caused by a backup of deferred updates that Windows clears when it restarts.
But... to return to the problem of Firefox not starting, what are you seeing: Does it display an error message? Does it crash immediately?

Udump directory ...can I delete the files?...PLz help me

hi guys,
I have disk space problem on my database server , 98% of my partition disk is used...checking the files I see that in my udump diectory there is a new 3GB trace file created by Oracle ...my questiions are :
1 - can i delete this file?
2- how can i know if oracle is still using it?
my os system is Linux and I' working on Oracle Database 10g Enterprise Edition Release 10.2.0.1.0 - 64bi
thanks a lot,

thank you... so these files are not necessary for Oracle?
below some lines from the big udump file
/u01/app/oracle/admin/aed01/udump/aed01_ora_11397.trc
Oracle Database 10g Enterprise Edition Release 10.2.0.1.0 - 64bit Production
With the Partitioning, OLAP and Data Mining options
ORACLE_HOME = /u01/app/oracle/oracle/product/10.2.0/aed01
System name: Linux
Node name: aed01.es6.foree.lan
Release: 2.6.18-53.1.14.el5xen
Version: #1 SMP Tue Feb 19 07:33:17 EST 2008
Machine: x86_64
Instance name: aed01
Redo thread mounted by this instance: 1
Oracle process number: 27
Unix process pid: 11397, image: [email protected] (TNS V1-V3)
*** 2009-11-13 00:05:54.880
*** ACTION NAME:() 2009-11-13 00:05:54.490
*** MODULE NAME:(SQL*Plus) 2009-11-13 00:05:54.490
*** SERVICE NAME:(SYS$USERS) 2009-11-13 00:05:54.490
*** SESSION ID:(913.14607) 2009-11-13 00:05:54.478
*********START PLSQL RUNTIME DUMP************
***Got internal error Exception caught in pfrrun() while running PLSQL***
***Got ORA-4030 while running PLSQL***
FUNCTION FREE_CLIENT.DB_FUNC_SEARCH_PARENT:
library unit=b9776680 line=1 opcode=84 static link=2aabac7768e8 scope=0
FP=2aabac776b88 PC=cea6769a Page=0 AP=2aabac776b88 ST=2aabac776cd8
DL0=2aaaacccd6a0 GF=2aaaacccd708 DL1=2aaaacccd6c8 DPF=2aaaacccd6f8 DS=cea67740
DON library unit variable list instantiation
0 b9776680 2aaaacccd708 2aaaaca4b3b8
1
2
3
4
scope frame
2 0
1 2aabac776b88
package variable address size
0 2aaaacccd710 328
version=43123476 instantiation size=432
exception id error DON offset begin end DID
0 1403 0 0 72 20 71
1 0 0 1 114 14 109
aed01_ora_11397.trc
Edited by: OracleJavaLinux on Nov 13, 2009 2:18 AM

Can I delete the files off of my MacAir after a Time Machine download to an External hard drive?

I need to free up space on my MacAir. Does doing a Time Machine to an external hard drive allow me to delete the files off of my laptop without worry? I have lots of pictures that I don't want to lose.
Thanks!

No. It is not an archival backup. It essentially is a mirror of what is on your hard drive. However, it will not delete those backups until it needs the space.
If you wish to archive them to other storage, you need to use something else (copying in Finder to an external would suffice).

I can't delete my files on mac computer or empty trash because it keeps saying certain file is locked

I can't delete my files on desktop. Also my trash won't empty because it says I have a locked file.
Thanks Michelle

Hi, first try holding option or alt key when selecting Empty Trash.
Solving Trash Problems...
http://thexlab.com/faqs/trash.html

If I backup, can I delete the files from my Mac?

I bought a external hard drive today...and I've never used TM before.
Basically, I want to back up everything on my computer to the hard drive. But, I'm running out of space on my Mac...is there any way to use Time Machine to back up my computer AND keep all of those files that are taking up all that extra space? I'm assuming it works like an iPhone backup (and deletes contacts, notes, etc. that you delete)...but from what I've read on this site, it seems like Time Machine backups work a little differently. Would it just be easier to partition my hard drive? Thanks guys!

If you delete your files from your main hard drive, TM will eventually purge them from the backups.
If a file existed for more than a week on your hard drive, then TM will keep a copy in its backups until the TM drive fills up, and then the file is at risk of being deleted.
If a file existed for only a few days, there is a chance that all the backups of it will be deleted within a week.
If a file existed for only a few hours, there is a chance that all the backups of it will be deleted the very next day.
All of the above assumes that the file existed *in the same place*. If you moved the file around to different places then there is even less likelihood of it being retained by TM.
If you can manage to keep your files on your hard drive in the same place for at least a week before you delete them, and you always ensure that your TM disk has plenty of space for new backups, then TM will be fine for retaining your deleted files.
If you can't keep your files in the same place for a week before deleting them, and you still want them archived in your backups, then Time Machine is not a good backup program for you to use. Retrospect would be better.

HT1526 still can't delete the files in my trash!

Folder in trash:
jojojo > 1 > 1;2;3;4
All folders have no files in them. I literally tried everything but can't get rid of these 6 empty folders. There seem to be invisible ePub files in these folders. Here's a screen shot. I'm sure I followed the steps correctly.
http://www.directupload.net/file/d/3604/ka69ecfv_png.htm
Please help!

none of these methods work. I tried:
rash utilities for eradicating troublesome files
You may want to download and install the freeware utility Trash It! or the shareware utility Cocktail. Using one of these utilities is often the fastest way to Trash recalcitrant files.
Note: Be sure to employ a version of the utility that is compatible with the version of Mac OS X you are using.
Force the Trash to empty using the Option key
This technique uses a hidden feature of Mac OS X to force the Trash to empty. Perform the following steps in the order specified:
Press and hold the mouse button on the Trash icon in the Dock. The context menu for Trash will display.
Press and hold the Option key or the Shift-Option keyboard combination,
Select Empty Trash from the context menu for Trash.
Release the keys pressed and held in step 2.
Empty and recreate an account's Trash
The following procedure will "kill two birds with one stone." It will both:
Empty the Trash of an affected account.
Create a new ~/.Trash directory, with correct ownership and permissions, for that account.
Perform the following steps in the order specified:
1.
If the affected account is protected by FileVault, log in to the affected account, then switch to and log in to your Admin account via Fast User Switching. Otherwise, log in to your Admin account.
2.
Open Terminal, located in the Macintosh HD > Applications > Utilities folder.
3.
At the Terminal prompt, type one of the following commands:
If the affected account is:
Then type the Terminal command:
Your Admin account:
sudo rm -ri ~/.Trash
Another user account:
sudo rm -ri /Users/user_name/.Trash where user_name is the short name of the affected account.
Note that:
There is a single space after each of the terms sudo, rm, and -ri in the command.
Assure you have typed the command exactly as specified before proceeding: typographical errors in this command can have dire consequences, including erasing your hard drive!
4.
Press Return.
5.
Type your Admin password when prompted, then press Return.
6.
Type y for yes in response to the subsequent prompts to delete each file in the trash and finally the affected .Trash folder itself. The prompts are finished when the Terminal prompt returns.
7.
If the affected account is your Admin account, log out. If the affected account was another user account that is logged in via Fast User Switching, log out of that account.
8.
Log in to the affected account. It will now have a new, working, and empty Trash.
Steps 1-6 remove all files in the affected account's Trash as well as deleting the hidden and invisible ~/.Trash directory for that account. The remaining steps result in recreating the affected account's Trash, with proper ownership and permissions.
none of these steps worked. i also tried both utilities. trash it! doesnt work and says i have to wait and nothing happens and cocktail says it removed everything but these folders are still there! i really dont know what to do, looks like i will have to reinstall everything to get rid of the folders. it's unbelievable. any ideas? the methods REALLY dont work, im not some oncompetent guy.

Can I delete the files in ~/Library/Preferences and have all preferences reset to factory default?

I have this folder inside my /Library folder called Preferences. I was wondering if I could delete all of the files inside this folder and have all of my preferences reset to the factory default?

First, why would you want to do this? I ask because all of the applications installed also have preference files. Some of the preference files store things like serial numbers. Some programs that use plugins that use serial numbers also store the serial numbers in the host program's preference file. RapidWeaver is an example of this.
So, If you deleted all of the files in your preference folder, you could have some major headaches for a while afterward.
If you are curious, there is a program called AppleJack that only runs in Single User mode. It can check preference files for you. There are several others available that cost money. AppleJack is a free open source application.
Hope this helps,
Craig

I can't delete the files in my spam folder

Spam email is existing in the spam folder. I can usually delete them. I click the box next to the spam items ad hit delete. Nothing happens. Is there a setting that has been changed?

Sorry, Firefox doesn't have a spam folder. Please see your webmail service provider for help with that issue.

Can I delete the files my Mac makes?

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