unable to delete files

[Imacer]

Hi trusted advisors; I am having a problem deleting files, especially in folders. If I "move to trash" a folder it's contents are not deleted, just the folder icon. This is especially prevalent in my USB flash drives where deleting a folder does not delete contents, nothing is visible on the screen when looking at the drive but after deleting a folder my available memory does not increase. The files are still occupying space but are invisible. I can clean the drive with disc utility or have to open the folder to pre delete the files, but that seems a bit ridiculous just to delete a folders contents. I keep thinking there must be an easy way to do this. Thanks in advance for the help.

 

[bobtomay]

You must empty the trash to gain your space back - even on flash drives.

 

[Imacer]

That's got it, my flash drive doesn't show a trash folder but it's there. Do you know how I can get it to show on the contents window?
Thanks, bobtomay.

 

[bobtomay]

Not really sure how it exactly works. Don't think it's possible to browse the flash drive and see what has been moved to the trash. That will have to be done via the Trash Can.

It's just different than Windows where you would have the Recycle Bin listed in every drive. On the Mac there is a single Trash Can that has the data info for all drives.

Some programs will delete and free the space, ex. Aperture. But, if you're using Finder to delete, they're all in the Trash Can sitting in the dock.