Locating the Trash on a Mac
Discover the Mac's equivalent of the Recycle Bin, known as 'Trash' Learn how to efficiently delete files, remove items, empty the Trash, schedule Trash emptying, instantly delete files, and even recover accidentally deleted files on your Mac
Some Noticeable Information
The Mac equivalent of the Windows 10 Recycle Bin is called "Trash" or "Bin," and it is located in the Dock.
Deleted or dragged files will remain in the Trash until you "empty" it, allowing you to recover them before they are permanently lost.
To delete files using the Trash, you can either click and drag the item onto the Trash icon in the Dock or right-click the item and choose "Move to Trash."
If you are already acquainted with the Windows 10 Recycle Bin, which is used for deleting files, and you have recently transitioned to a Mac, you may be curious about the equivalent feature on a Mac. The Mac equivalent is known as the "Trash" and it can be found within the Dock. To learn how to utilize this feature, follow these steps.
The Recycle Bin Is "Trash" or "Bin" on a Mac
Since 1984, the Mac desktop operating system has consistently featured a trash can, also known as a waste bin. In the United States, it is formally referred to as "Trash" and in some territories, it is called "Bin." The concept of this feature originated on the Apple Lisa, where it was labeled as "Wastebasket."
How to Delete Files with Trash
Similar to the Recycle Bin on Windows, when you delete a file or move it to the Trash, it remains there until you "empty" the Trash by selecting the "Empty Trash" command in Finder. This feature allows you to have a second opportunity to restore a deleted file by simply dragging it out of the Trash before it is permanently deleted.
To delete a file or folder using Trash, click and drag the item onto the Trash icon in the Dock, and then release your mouse or trackpad button.
If the Trash was previously empty before you dragged an item into it, the Trash icon itself will change, showing crumpled papers inside of it.
The Trash icon displays crumpled papers to indicate the presence of files in the Trash. By default, files remain in the Trash indefinitely unless manually deleted, the Trash is emptied, or a schedule is set to automatically remove items after a specified time period (refer to details below).
Moreover, there is an alternative method to send files to the Trash without utilizing the Trash can icon on the Dock. In Finder, you can directly choose the "Move to Trash" option under the File menu in the menu bar, or right-click on the item and select "Move to Trash."
How to Remove Items from the Trash
The Trash functions as a designated folder, comparable to a special folder. In case you accidentally misplaced a file and wish to retrieve it, simply click on the Trash icon located on your Dock. This action will cause the "Trash" window to open within the Finder.
From there, you can either drag the items out of the Trash window and onto the desktop (or another folder), or you can right-click them and select "Put Back" in the menu.
You can also select items in the Trash and choose File > Put Back in the menu bar, and they will return to their original locations before you moved them to the trash.
How to Empty the Trash
To permanently delete all the files in the trash can, right-click on the Trash icon and choose "Empty Trash" from the menu. Keep in mind that once you empty the trash, retrieving the deleted files will require a backup or possibly unreliable third-party tools. Therefore, it's essential to have complete backups using Time Machine before deleting any data.
Or, with Finder in the foreground, you can choose Finder > Empty Trash in the menu bar at the top of the screen.
As with most things on the Mac, there's a keyboard shortcut alternative: Press Shift+Command+Delete on your keyboard to empty Trash with no clicks necessary.
How to Empty the Trash on a Schedule
If you'd like to automatically empty items from your trash after 30 days, Finder provides an option for that. To turn it on, focus on Finder by clicking it in the Dock.
To access the Settings, go to Finder in the menu bar and click on it. Alternatively, you can press Command+Comma on your keyboard. In the Finder Preferences window, navigate to the "Advanced" tab. From there, make sure to tick the box next to "Remove items from the Trash after 30 days."
Close Finder Preferences. Thirty days after you move an item to the Trash, it will be permanently emptied from Trash and deleted.
How to Bypass the Trash (and Delete a File Instantly)
To instantly delete a file or folder without sending it to Trash, you have a few choices. If you're using Finder or on the Desktop, simply select the item and then hold down the Option key on your keyboard. Next, select File > Delete Immediately from the menu bar.
Alternatively, you can choose the item and use the keyboard shortcut Option+Command+Delete. This action will prompt a warning message indicating the irreversible deletion of the items. Once you confirm, simply click the "Delete" button.
If you click "Delete" here, you will never be able to recover the item or items unless you have a backup!
After that, the file will be permanently deleted.
How to Recover Deleted Files on the Mac
If you've permanently deleted something by accident, it might be possible to get it back if you've previously enabled Time Machine or via a third-party tool. Be careful out there, and good luck!
Editor's P/S
As a Gen Z fan, I find the Mac's Trash feature to be a convenient and user-friendly way to manage deleted files. The Trash can be easily accessed from the Dock, and it provides a temporary storage space for files that I have deleted but may still need. I appreciate the fact that the Trash doesn't automatically delete files after a certain period of time, as this gives me the opportunity to recover files that I may have accidentally deleted.
Overall, I think the Trash is a well-designed feature that helps to keep my Mac organized and free of unnecessary files.
