Deleting files not freeing up space

~Chameleon~

I've just deleted approx 2GB of data from my (4GB capacity) USB stick yet it still says there's only 53Mb of space free

I had the same problem with an external HDD some time ago too, when it was getting almost full deleting files wasn't freeing up any more space but I never got to the bottom of why.

Does it mean these items have reached the end of their life or is there a tool I can use to access the space occupied by the deleted files?

TIA :beer:

Enterprise_1701C

Can you take everything off the drive and store it elsewhere while you format the drive?

~Chameleon~

Enterprise_1701C wrote: »

Can you take everything off the drive and store it elsewhere while you format the drive?

I can with the USB stick but not the HDD unless/until I buy a larger replacement one.

PS how do you format a USB stick on a Mac?

googler

You are emptying the Recycle Bin with the drives still connected, aren't you?

~Chameleon~

googler wrote: »

You are emptying the Recycle Bin with the drives still connected, aren't you?

I could kiss you!! :kisses3:

Thank you!!



ETA: whilst this has sorted out my USB stick, I can't recall which computer was used to remove files from the HDD to reconnect and empty trash bin so how do I go about finding the hidden files which have presumably been left behind if the marker is no longer there?

ETA2: Actually, don't worry, I've just plugged it into my Mac and discovered a temporary recycle file and deleting that plus emptying trash has freed up the space

John_Gray

~Chameleon~ wrote: »

I could kiss you!! :kisses3:

I say! Steady on, old chap!