Can't delete Catalina install file

[taylesh]

Having had a few issues with the previous Big Sur Beta, I tried re-installing Catalina by downloading and installing it from the App Store. This didn't work (which is fine, the latest beta is behaving itself...), but I now can't delete the install file from my trash.

I keep getting the error message "The operation can’t be completed because the item “Install macOS Catalina” is in use."

It is 7.74GB so I am keen to free up that space - anyone got any ideas?

Thanks

 

[matram]

You could try "lsof" in terminal. That command will list all open files and the applications holding them open.

A simpler approach may be to just reboot which should release the file.

 

[DimaVR]

Yes I have same issue sometimes cannot empty my recycling bin also, in order to delete that file and also empty the need you need to be able to disable SIP in recovery mode via terminal! Google it, stupid sip protection locks the files for what ever reason! Trust me it will work

reply back after you try it

 

[taylesh]

Thank you! disabling SIP in recovery through terminal worked.

Much appreciated!

 

[DimaVR]

Thank you! disabling SIP in recovery through terminal worked.

Much appreciated!

stupid how that works right? This also happens when you put some files I to trash for some reason. I was stuck with an empty folder for 8 months in my trash till I figured this out lol! Spent a month trouble shooting almost formatted my drive I was sopissed.

good luck glad I could help

 

[Taz Mangus]

Thank you! disabling SIP in recovery through terminal worked.

Much appreciated!

Make sure to enable SIP again.

 

[MacBird]

Thanks, I had the same issue! Disabling SIP, deleting the Catalina installer and then re-enabling SIP did the trick.

 

[DimaVR]

Yeh it’s all sip related

 

[ccsicecoke]

This exact bug reproduces in Official release. Can't believe Apple. What's going on with their software quality?

 

[darngooddesign]

In the past when I've had a hard-to-delete file I just held down option for Secure Empty Trash. I also noticed that the keyboard shortcut changes when Option is pressed. Does this no longer work on hard-to-delete files?

 

[DimaVR]

Now you have to disable sip via recovery terminal

 

[FR4NCIZ]

Yes I have same issue sometimes cannot empty my recycling bin also, in order to delete that file and also empty the need you need to be able to disable SIP in recovery mode via terminal! Google it, stupid sip protection locks the files for what ever reason! Trust me it will work

reply back after you try it

Made a bootable Catalina installer for an older Mac the other day. And the file was stuck in Trash for days. Who knows the solution is this "simple" (still a hassle to boot in and out of Recover Mode twice.)

 

[dshess]

My approach:
- Open Terminal
- sudo mv /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Catalina.app /tmp/
- Reboot

On reboot, macOS clears out /tmp, and it appears to have worked on this directory.