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Mac suddenly deletes files to trash. They're un-organized, how do I re organize them?

I've already made a post regarding the sudden deletion of files on a mac to trash on a previous forum.

Mac suddenly deletes files to trash - Apple Community

I came here because a user, John Galt, replied, asking me to make another post on Mac OS X Technologies - Apple Community. So here I am.


A 2018-2020 MacBook Air suddenly deleted files to trash. It wasn't just a couple of files, it was thousands of files. I wanted to just "put back" all these files from the trash, but I couldn't. There was 15 gigabytes worth of files, and I only had 117 megabytes of storage space left. The reason I'm here isn't to ask "How did these files got into the trash" , I'm here to ask, "How do I re-organize these files that was put into trash?" more specifically, "How do I rebuild a folder hierarchy that seems to be lost?"

The problem is, that mac only had 117 megabytes of storage space left, and there was 15 gigabytes worth of files. I was planning to move all these files to another mac, but still they would be un-organized. I have moved all the files in the trash to an external drive, but of course, they were still all unorganized.


A reply would be much appreciated.

MacBook Air (2018 – 2020)

Posted on Mar 23, 2023 9:27 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Mar 24, 2023 5:02 AM

You should be able to "put-back" by opening the Trash Folder, highlighting a trashed file and then Command-Delete (which is the same as Control-Click and selecting "Put Back")

If this works, try highlighting a few files, and after a few tests, then select all (Command-A), and Put Back (Command-Delete)


But files don't 'just delete'. Were you using a (not advised) Cleaning App?


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2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Mar 24, 2023 5:02 AM in response to Raf03_A

You should be able to "put-back" by opening the Trash Folder, highlighting a trashed file and then Command-Delete (which is the same as Control-Click and selecting "Put Back")

If this works, try highlighting a few files, and after a few tests, then select all (Command-A), and Put Back (Command-Delete)


But files don't 'just delete'. Were you using a (not advised) Cleaning App?


Mac suddenly deletes files to trash. They're un-organized, how do I re organize them?

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