User level: Level 1 (88 points)Good morning. I have found a number of .avi container files that I'd like to remove to free up some space. When I select them, i can't get any info on them or send them to trash. Can someone help me understand what''s happening and how to remove them. Thank you.
[Edited by Moderator]
Posted on Nov 7, 2026 2:18 AM
User level: Level 10 (208,430 points)Nov 7, 2026 5:12 AM in response to G Martin
G Martin wrote:
Good morning. I have found a number of .avi container files that I'd like to remove to free up some space. When I select them, i can't get any info on them or send them to trash. Can someone help me understand what''s happening and how to remove them. Thank you.
https://discussions.apple.com/content/attachment/520ff566-53ba-4248-a922-64497b8bfc56
[Edited by Moderator]
You do not show or say— what is the complete path to these files...?
User level: Level 10 (208,430 points)Nov 7, 2026 5:49 AM in response to G Martin
G Martin wrote:
nope. those options are not available to me.
?
From the Terminal.app type
file
followed by a space, then drag & drop one of files from the selection directly on the terminal window to complete the path for more info...
ex.
User level: Level 10 (208,430 points)Nov 7, 2026 5:35 AM in response to G Martin
Finder>View>Show Path Bar (?)
alternative ex. In Spotlight —Control click
ex.
User level: Level 7 (27,833 points)Nov 7, 2026 6:49 AM in response to G Martin
G Martin wrote:
There is no path. that's the problem. see the 'path' at the bottom of the image here.
Your screenshot does not show a path. "All in The Familiy - 2x24 - Maude.avi" is one of the files but you must already know that. FWIW the files are old video files.
You say there is no path ... but how did you find these files in the first place?
User level: Level 1 (88 points)Nov 7, 2026 6:51 AM in response to MartinR
I did a search on the drive for '.avi' and all the avi files on the disk appear. Most of them are perfectly fine, but a number are these mysterious files. the file icon seems to look like a stuffit file or something similar.
User level: Level 1 (88 points)Nov 7, 2026 5:18 AM in response to leroydouglas
Thank you for the reply. There is no path. that's the problem. see the 'path' at the bottom of the image here.
User level: Level 1 (88 points)Nov 7, 2026 5:33 AM in response to leroydouglas
nope. those options are not available to me.
User level: Level 1 (88 points)Nov 7, 2026 5:49 AM in response to leroydouglas
thanks again. i click and drag but the 'file' won't move.
Originally posted at discussions.apple.com/thread/256390197