"Manage Storage" menu item has caused a problem - need some help

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39 points

"Manage Storage" menu item has caused a problem - need some help

I right clicked on my main system disk and selected the "Manage Storage..." menu item. While in that menu I used the delete function for a large (40 GB) file, expecting this to send the file to the Trash. But it did not.

The file is now gone from Finder, but Disk Info shows the 40 GB space still being used. Disk Utility also shows that the 40 GB space for the file is still used. That is, used disk space did not drop by 40 GB.

It appears the file was not deleted from the drive, but it is removed from Finder and no longer accessible. How can this be fixed? I want the file gone so the disk space can be used.

Posted on Jan 1, 2025 01:16 PM

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Answer 1

Jan 2, 2025 05:39 AM in response to VARanger1

Did you check trash and empty it?

Also, do you have Time Machine enabled? If so it may take up to 24 hours before the change actually takes place as Time Machine will keep a local copy for 24 hours.

If you are using Time Machine and want to recover the space immediately, you can delete the local Time Machine snapshots in Disk Utility by selecting the macOS - Data volume and at the bottom you will see the list of local snapshots. You can then delete all the local snapshots and regain the space immediately. The actual Time Machine backup drive will not be affected.

As an aside, the local Time Machine snapshots remade so you have some ability to recover files without having the primary Time Machine drive connected. Especially useful for laptops when files are accidentally deleted.

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Answer 2

VARanger1 Author

Level 1

39 points

Jan 2, 2025 08:31 AM in response to woodmeister50

Thanks! 24 hours later and the inconsistency is resolved as you indicated.

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"Manage Storage" menu item has caused a problem - need some help

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