Can't delete Matlab directory in MacOS because "directory not empty"

Asked Jan 21 '19 at 09:51

Active Jan 21 '19 at 09:51

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I have uninstalled Matlab with a software for deleting applications (AppCleaner), but I can't delete a directory in the Trash. The directory is "MATLAB_R2018b.app".

If I click on "empty trash" I get the error "The operation can’t be completed because the item “MATLAB_R2018b” is in use", even if it isn't in use and I checked that with the Activity Monitor.

Also I tried manually using the terminal. I tried with rm -rf MATLAB_R2018b.app and suto rm -rf MATLAB_R2018b.app, but I got the error rm: MATLAB_R2018b.app/toolbox/matlab/datatools/variableeditor/js/peer/release/dgrid/css: Directory not empty. The problem is that if I go that directory it is empty! Any ideas?

asked Jan 21 '19 at 09:51

Alessandro Peca

Hmmm that is odd. The error seems to indicate that the `toolbox` directory still exists inside of `MATLAB_R2018b.app` – Suever Jan 21 '19 at 11:22
Did you reboot? – Cris Luengo Jan 21 '19 at 13:56
@Suever yes, I can go inside `MATLAB_R2018b.app` directory. @CrisLuengo yes. – Alessandro Peca Jan 21 '19 at 16:42
Try to rename the directory by using the bash command mv originalName newName and then delete the directory – Mouse On Mars Jan 21 '19 at 19:24
@MichaelC. same problem with newName... – Alessandro Peca Jan 21 '19 at 20:52
Are there any hidden files that start with a dot? You could navigate to your directory with the terminal and type "ls -all". If you see only two entries (one with a single and one with double dot) then the directory is truly empty – Mouse On Mars Jan 21 '19 at 22:27
yes, I tried and the directory is empty... – Alessandro Peca Jan 22 '19 at 11:14
You might want to try using the MacOS recovery mode to start a shell and retry what you have tried so far. To do so, press command and R at the same time after you start your machine. In the menu bar, you can open a terminal, navigate to your folder and give all your previous attempts another shot. Good luck – Mouse On Mars Jan 22 '19 at 16:00
I have the same problem also in recovery mode... – Alessandro Peca Jan 22 '19 at 16:41

Can't delete Matlab directory in MacOS because "directory not empty"

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