I have inherited a Macbook from an ex-colleague and all his files are locked. I need to free up spaced

I need to remove files from a Macbook. Some of them are in locked folders. Some will simply not transfer to Trash. Some give a message about not finding an alias.
I am new to Macs and haven't a clue where to start.

Finstall wrote:
I need to remove files from a Macbook. Some of them are in locked folders. Some will simply not transfer to Trash. Some give a message about not finding an alias.
I am new to Macs and haven't a clue where to start.
Start here: MacOS, as a Unix based system, follow the concept of 'users' and 'permissions' (not legally, technical terms). Unlike a TV or car, you can not simply switch-on device - you have to permit before 'enter'.
A Mac is able to handle dozens of diff. users - but each user has diff. and own permissions. and only each user (or the 'super user', the admin) can change 'his/her' permissions, to files, to folders, to programs, to whole system.
so, if the ex-owner doesn't set YOU as the new admin on this Mac, only solution - and btw best practice - is to format the whole drive and re-install OS and programs from original installer disks.
do you have the disks? one or two grey 'dvds' ... ?

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I have inherited a Macbook from an ex-colleague and all his files are locked. I need to free up spaced

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