This operation can't be completed because the item is in use.

I have been researching this for months and no one seems to have an answer, lots of discussions but never a result.
1 - I have a MacBook Pro running Lion (I tried it with Leopard too)
2 - I have an external Iomega raid drive which is being used as a server (2T) attached to it via firewire. (Files are added and taken off daily with no problems via the network)
3 - I have a new 4T external drive attached to the same MacBook Pro via firewire. (new drive with no files on it, it's the second drive I have tried)
4 - I want to back up all the files on the Iomega raid drive onto the new 4T drive.
Simple! except it isnt, the problem is as follows;
1 - I can transfer some files, sometimes lots, sometimes not, but never enough. If I am dragging say 200mg with folders with files in it sometimes works, but I need to transfer 2TB of data and anything of a sensible amount just comes back with 'this operation can't be completed because the item xxxx is in use', which it is not.
2 - Every time I get the message it comes back with a different file thats in use, but the file 'is not' in use, nothing is in use.
I have tried many things
1 - changed the OS
2 - changed the drive I'm transfering on to.
3 - changed the cables
4 - restarted all the machines
5 - used a different machine
6 - changed to list view (read that that can be an issue)
7 - changed to AFP in system settings
8 - checked the Iomega drive (all fine)
We have been using the Iomega drive as a server for a few years and have had no problems (hundreds of individual files going on and off daily), but it has always haunted me for not backing up the files. But when I try to do it I get this issue, I keep then ignoring the issue as the drive is working fine but I simply cant back it up. However, I have had enough now, I have read a lot of forums discussing this issue, but no one seems to be able to resolve it. I need to back up the data, I have bought 2 different hard drives, changed the cables and updated the OS, I have paid for further cover for the Iomega drive but they don't know whats wrong but say the drive is fine. I have run out of ideas
Anyone have any suggestions before I go crazy??
Thanks
Joe

I see no one has addressed this issue. I'm having the same problem but no one seems to have an answer. Did you ever get this issue resolved Joe?

Similar Messages

Can't move files - The operation can't be completed because the item is in use.

Hi everyone,
I'm trying to move some files off an external hard drive to my macbook pro. These are mostly video files.
However, there's a handful of files which are causing the following error:
"The operation can’t be completed because the item “XXX” is in use."
I've no idea what's wrong but would appriaicte some help. All the previous threads I can find with the same error are related to moving items to the trash and I actually followed some of the advice (shutting down etc) but it still didn't help.
Thanks anyone and everyone for the assistance.
James

I was investigating this same problem on our iMac running OS 10.10. When I checked Activity Monitor for the DiskUnmountWatcher process, I noticed that with two users logged in simultaneously, there were two instances of most of the system processes, including that one. If I logged out of the other user account, and consequently only had one instance of the DiskUnmountWatcher process running, I was able to copy multiple files onto the network drive with no problem.
If I were to speculate, I'd probably guess that DiskUnmountWatcher is adding some metadata to new files when it detects them being added to a mounted drive. If there are two instances of the process running, they both try to modify the file's metadata simultaneously and generate errors.
TL;DR: If you encounter this problem, try logging out all users other than the one trying to move files.

The operation can't be completed because the item is in use

Fully functional NAS that more than not gets this error message when copying from one directory/share on it to another via SMB. A reboot does cure it but I cant' seem to find what process is getting stuck and locking these files. Spotlight doesn't scan network volumes so I'm stumped. Anyone know the root of this and has the new SMB2 implentation caused this for others?

Not practical
Some files will not delete

Can't copy file to network drive as "The operation can't be completed because the [Filename] is in use

Following upgrade to Yosemite I now can't copy files from iMac to my network HDD in external media center. I have iMac connected by wi-fi to airport extreme and media center connected to airport extreme by cable. I can see the HDD as a network drive on my iMac and can initiate the copy but right when copy process is finished I see "The operation can’t be completed because the [Filename] is in use". I am trying to copy different media files downloaded from internet which are not used by any program and stored on my hard drive. I actually can copy small files of 1mb and it works but anything above 20mb is halted. I can also move/copy/delete the file on iMac. Cant understand the nature of the problem. I tried to format external HDD as EXT2/EXT3/NTFS but same outcome.
OS X Yosemite 10.10.3 | iMac late 2009 | Apple Airport Extreme | Dune HD Base 3D mediacenter

Have you tried a restart or logging out/in?
Some more ideas.
Re: The operation can’t be completed because the item “ " is in use.

Trying to delete file from trash but get this: The operation can't be completed because the item "File name" is in use. All other files delete except this one. Please help

Trying to delete file from trash but get this: The operation can’t be completed because the item “File name” is in use. All other files delete except this one. Please help

Maybe some help here:
http://osxdaily.com/2012/07/19/force-empty-trash-in-mac-os-x-when-file-is-locked -or-in-use//

Firefox is unable to update to 7.0.1. I get an error that The operation can't be completed because the item "libsmime3.dylib" is in use. I found this is a Cisco folder, tried to trash it, but it won't leave. Maybe I need it?

The operation can’t be completed because the item “libsmime3.dylib” is in use.
This is the error message I get when i try to install the 7.0.1 update. I found a cisco folder on my MAC and tried to Trash it. It won't leave. Maybe I need it... Some of it did Trash, but what ever is left continues to prevent 7.0.1 from installing.

OK I looked at an old Apple forum and someone suggested Trash then Restart then Empty Trash, and it worked. Cisco is gone, Opt is gone, and I was able to load FireFox. I had to give admin passwords to do this too. Why an old weird game or library folder could cause such obstacles is a wonder. But I'd rather wonder about other things...

What does this message mean - The operation can't be completed because the item "12b" is in use.

The operation can’t be completed because the item “12b” is in use. What does this message mean. It appeared as I was attempting to clear my time machine backup?

Reboot your machine make sure Aperture doesn't start (as Lion is liable to do) and try it.

Trying to upgrade to FireFox 4 and getting this error: The operation can't be completed because the item "libsoftokn3.dylib" is in use.

I am using a new MacBook Pro. I click on the "Download FireFox 4.0" button. The file(s) download and the dialog appears to drag FireFox icon into the Applications folder.
I get a dialog that says "There is a previous version.. Ok to replace?" I click "Replace".
Then I get a Copy dialog that says: "The operation can’t be completed because the item “libsoftokn3.dylib” is in use."
The software is not updated and I am still on FireFox 3. I tried rebooting and doing it again - I get the same results. I also did a web search and was not able to find a solution to this error.

I had success by:
1- Quit Firefox
2- Go to the Applications folder and drag Firefox to the desktop
3- Install Firefox 5 (it installs successfully at this point)
4- Put old Firefox in the trash
5- Secure empty trash
It may be possible to just drag Firefox directly to the trash and use regular Empty Trash, but I did not try that. Some people on the net reported that they could not empty the trash after putting the old Firefox in the trash (got the same "libsoftokn3.dylib is in use" error), so I just tried Secure Empty Trash, which may be no different from a regular empty trash as far as this goes; not sure as I'm a bit new to the Mac.

Cannot delete file: The operation can't be completed because the item "DataReferences" is in use.

I have a My Book TB Drive where all of my Time Machine backups go to. I decided to delete some older version of backups. They ended up in my trash can. When I deleted the items in my trash can, all of them erased with the exception of one file. This file refuses to go! I have tried "Empty Trash", "Secure Empty Trash" and holding the Option Key + "Secure Empty Trash". Each time the I get the following error: The operation can’t be completed because the item “DataReferences” is in use.
If I unplug the My Book TB Drvie, the file dissapears from the trash can. If I plug it back in, it reappears.
I am not sure what to do anymore. Any suggestions?
Thanks!
MacMini
Mountain Lion (Error originated in OS X)
My Book TB (External Hard Drive)

I found an article on how to allow third party apps. Posted it below just in case if anyone is interested.
http://www.computeraudiophile.com/f11-software/your-security-preferences-allow-i nstallation-only-apps-mac-app-store-and-identified-developers-12789/
Anyhow, I was able to do the double click on the trash it.I tried the "fast" version and the "really stuck" version and unfortunately, none of the options worked.
Any other suggestions?

Iomega UltraMax 4Q PLUS the following message appears: The operation can not be completed because the item "FILE NAME" is in use. "

Help, I need to solve. No speculation please bomas or attempts to restart, confirm that the HD is formatted for MAC and etc. .....
Whenever I try to copy my files from my HDD Western Digital 2T for my new Iomega UltraMax 4Q PLUS the following message appears: The operation can not be completed because the item "FILE NAME" is in use. "
I can not stand it anymore ...
I need to work and not temnho more space on my machine.
Scenario - iMac11, 10.6.8 + WD + 2 + 2T 4T Iomega UltraMax Plus, formatted for both Mac and connected via Firewire 800
Trying to copy the message aborts the copy - "The operation can not be completed because the item" FILE NAME "is in use."

Hello,
As I said earlier, properly formatted for Mac.
Mac OS Extended (Journaled)
This HD is formatted for MAC factory, but I even did a few times in my attempts I can say that this is entirely correct formattingwith it - Mac OS Extended (Journaled)

Cannot empty trash: "The operation can't be completed because the item ...

I've been having trouble emptying the trash. I get the following error, "The operation can’t be completed because the item "_file name_" is in use."
I've tried unlocking the files, but the unlock doesn't seem to stick.
I'm not sure if this is related, but a couple of months ago, I had a repair done and since then some of my software have required me to enter my license information again; apparently it looked as if I was running the programs on a different machine.
Anyone have tips/solns?

Thank you!
I ended up sticking the startup disc in, restarting while holding down the "c" key, and "using the Reset Home Directory Permissions and ACLs function of the Reset Paswoord function of the Utilities menu."
It worked perfectly; I now have an empty trash can.

Operation can't be completed because the item "Database.sqlite3" is in use?

"The operation can’t be completed because the item “Database.sqlite3” is in use."
Every so often when I go to empty my trash I get this pop-up message from the Finder - any clues as to where this file is being generated? I can't figure out where this file is coming from - and google didn't have much on what that file even is. Is it something in the OS, or perhaps a third party app doing it? Anyone else ever have this message? Thanks.

The Database.sqlite3 file (SO related) is here:
~(yourUserName)/Library/PubSub/Database/
This link explains the purpose:
http://www.schollnick.net/wordpress/2009/05/what-is-pubsub-agent/
What is in your trash when you get this dialog?

The operation can't be completed because the item "iTunes Library Extras.itdb" is in use.

I am trying to transfer my iTunes from my PC to my new Mac. After reading through this forum a bit, I followed the instructions at: http://www.macworld.com/article/146958/2010/03/move_itunes_windows_mac.html
I backed up my PC's iTunes folder to an external drive after selecting to consolidate files, etc.
I connected the external drive to my Mac and did a copy and paste of the iTunes folder. I have not put any music into the iTunes on the Mac, so I just said Yes to overrite (it said there are 2 files that will be overwritten- I think they are apps I downloaded this weekenad i am fine to overwrite them). It starts to copy and then I get the error message: "The operation can’t be completed because the item “iTunes Library Extras.itdb” is in use." I verified that I do not have iTunes open on the Mac and made sure that when I backed up from PC, I did not have iTunes open there either.
Any ideas?
Thanks
Katie

I figured it out!
There was an iTunes folder on my new Mac. I may have installed it. I just deleted the whole iTunes folder under Music. I then tried copying and pasting from my External Drive again and now it is copying the data as I would expect.

The operation can't be completed because the item "PkgInfo" is in use.

When I try to replace an application in my applications folder with a new version that I have downloaded from the net by copying over the old one, I get the following message:
The operation can’t be completed because the item “PkgInfo” is in use.
I have the original application in my Apps folder, I drag in the new version and then get that message so I have to manually take the application to the trash and then I can put the new version in the Apps folder. This has happened on many occasions since upgrading to Snow Leopard.
Any ideas anyone on why this is happening and how to fix it?
Thanks in advance!

This is happening to me on 10.5.8 as well, so it's not a Snow Leopard thing.
Generally, the copy works on trying it a second time.

The operation can't be completed because the item "folder name" is in use

Hi everyone,
I think this is quite a common issue but I don't find it really easy to find a solution.
I have a folder containing a folder and no files on a server that I cannot delete, for the life of me.
Whether I use shortcuts or drag the main folder to the bin, I have the same result "The operation can't be completed because the item "secondary folder name" is in use". This folder is just 1 year old so, obviously, I have restarted the computer more than once since then which means that the folder is NOT in use.
I'd like to clean up a bit and remove some stuff and this is bugging!
Hope someone can help me.
Thanks in advance!

If you don't have other backup data on it, reformatting external drive could solve the problem.

This operation can't be completed because the item is in use.

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for