Unable to move files from desktop to Trash on my Mac

SO there are three tings on my desktop and when i try and remove them the sustem just goes : "The item “Screenshot ... at ... .png” can’t be moved to the Trash because it can’t be deleted." help.


[Edited by Moderator]

Original Title: How do i delete ts

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 15.6

Posted on Oct 9, 2025 7:11 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Oct 9, 2025 7:41 AM

Reboot your Mac. If that doesn't correct the issue, boot the Mac in Safe Mode and try deleting it there, then reboot normally.


Start up your Mac in safe mode - Apple Support

2 replies

Oct 10, 2025 4:32 AM in response to Augyrn

Restart Finder with Option + right-click Finder > Relaunch. That should let you delete those files normally


Open Terminal and run sudo rm -rf ~/Desktop/* (be very careful—this deletes everything on your desktop).


If you only want to fix the permissions, right-click your Desktop folder > Get Info > under Sharing & Permissions, make sure your user has Read & Write access, then click the gear icon > Apply to enclosed items.

Unable to move files from desktop to Trash on my Mac

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