Deleting a locked file

Hello all,
I recently bought a Macbook Pro to replace my WinXP laptop. I'm really enjoying it so far, just one question:
I am using an external hard drive to transfer some files from my old machine to the Macbook. I dragged and dropped a folder full of pictures into the "documents" folder, and now I would like to delete it. When I drag it to the trash, it asks me to enter my password since it is a locked file. I enter the password, but the file won't go into the trash. Just looking for a way to delete this file, maybe the solution is easy, but this is my first Mac and I'm still learning the ins and outs of a new operating system.
Thanks!

Welcome to the Forums!
eixo wrote:
Folks: I've seen this solution offered a few times in this form(and the Help menu advises the same fixes) but the "hold down the option key" and "uncheck the locked button in Get Info" simply Does. Not. Work.
Well, based many my and Niel's many years of Mac use, the fact that it's recommended - as you point out - by the people who developed the OS, and based on the that kagreen awarded to Niel, I'd say that it Clearly. Does. Work. Just. Fine.
Perhaps you mean to say "it does not work for these files that I am trying to delete". In that case, you'll need to provide more information about those files.
Doubly problematic is that anytime I try to erase files from an external HD (I have two Western Digital units) they of course go to the Trash bin on the Mac -- thus filling up even more of my HD space with useless files.
No. When you delete files on a mounted external drive, they don't go to the trash on your Mac. They go into an invisible file (.Trashes) at the root level of the external drive. If you disconnect the external drive, they go away. When you reconnect the external drive, they come back. You need to empty the trash +with the external drive connected+ to remove those files from the external drive. (Note that this is true for USB flash drives as well.)
...I'm missing something...
It does seem that this might be the case...among other things, posting questions in topics marked "Answered" is not the best way to get your new question - related or not - answered.

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