Mac help: how do I empty the trash?

What files are you trying to delete? If they’re locked and owned by root, maybe you shouldn’t be deleting them….

In any account you can do:

sudo rm -rf ~/.Trash/*
Then enter your root password when prompted. Always be very careful with your typing when using rm.

All user home directories contain the .Trash directory.

@wildflower: It’s nothing that will damage the system, I’ve made sure of that. A folder of old photos that are stored elsewhere, a program I don’t want, and some random files weeded out during a cleanup. I think this should be simple, I just don’t want to push the wrong button and delete half the OS!

@paulc: forgive the noob Q – would I enter that in the terminal window?

@PandorasBlocks, yes and it can also be used to target a specific user and not just the current one, eg:
sudo rm -rf /Users/usernamehere/.Trash/*

OK, just making sure…....but what paulc said should do the trick.

First attempt complete – now to log back in and see if it worked…

Trash is empty! Thanks for the help :)

Holding down Option while emptying the Trash can force it to delete locked items.

try using hazel. Its deletes it for you