MacOS – Deleted file on MacOS still occupying space

macos

  1. I download a large file, a 20GB DMG.
  2. Soon after, I ran out of space, I used the system information app to delete large files, including the 20 GB DMG.
  3. The System Information app crashed during this process, and I had to restart my laptop.
  4. Ever since, the System Manager still shows the DMG as occupying 20GB of space, but I cannot "open in Finder" or delete. Both the buttons do nothing.
  5. I tried searching for the said file, but found nothing.
  6. I have verified that the trash is empty.

I want to reclaim the 20GB of space that has been locked out, without having to format my disk again.

Storage Manager on Mac ( About -> Storage -> Manage ) still shows Dota 2 occupying 20.44GB

Selecting Dota 2 and clicking on "Show in Finder" does nothing.
Looking for the file via ls -la does not show the file.

Applications folder does not show the file
Applications folder does not show the file

Trash is empty
Trash is empty

File type has changed to APPS_APPLS after updating to Big Sur, but no resolution to the problem.

File type has changed to APPS_APPLS after updating to Big Sur, but no resolution to the problem.

Best Answer

You need to empty your Trash. When you delete a file that just moves it to the trash. To free up space you must empty the trash.

Then you have to suspect that your spotlight process that feeds these displays is stuck. Log out of your account and then restart the mac.

See if you can reveal in finder the app below the one in question.

If the app in question is stuck, rebooting to recovery and then running disk utility to check / repair the filesystem would be prudent. Making a backup also would be prudent if this is a sign of directory damage. You can fix that easily with an erase / install - then load back the apps from backup.

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