Can't Delete - "file in use"? By what?

[straygull]

Often, when I try to empty the trash, I get the message that the file can't be deleted because it's in use. They almost always are NOT in use, to my knowledge. How can I tell what program is using a file, so that I can get rid of it????

Also, how can I get preview to NOT remember my recently opened files?

Thanks much for any help. I suppose it's no surprise that I'm transitioning from many years as PC/Windows (sometimes Linux) user. It can be frustrating to struggle with even the simplest things!!

 

[Kaveman]

Depends, the older version of Preview, held onto Files until it was quit.
This is a Good Thing™ as it stops you accidentally deleting a file while it is being used.

You may be able to Empty trash with the Option Key down to override this.

No you can't stop Preview or any other App from maintaining it's Recent menu. Use Quicklook or Finders Slide show if you don't want to leave tracks.

 

[Spawn_Dooley]

How can I tell what program is using a file, so that I can get rid of it????

I often get stuck with that message ... "the file can't be deleted or that drive can't be ejected because it's currently in use" and I don't know how to use Mac OS X's inbuilt functions to determine how to solve the issue, so I use the 3rd party solution below:

What's Keeping Me