# How do I batch delete or move files from my hard disk on Mac? **URL:** \ **Category:** Mac\ **Created:** [May 2, 2023, 5:16pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/how-do-i-batch-delete-or-move-files-from-my-hard-disk-on-mac/60862 "2023-05-02T17:16:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![rejistry](https://community.mp3tag.de/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/r/e9c0ed/32.png) [@rejistry](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/rejistry)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2023, 5:16pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/how-do-i-batch-delete-or-move-files-from-my-hard-disk-on-mac/60862/1 "2023-05-02T17:16:43Z")
I am a premium user of mp3tag on Mac. However, I don't find functions like right click + move files or delete files (which seem like are exclusive only to the windows version). Currently I have a playlist of 1000+ tracks located across various folders - which I would like to move or delete permanently. How do you suggest that I go about achieving this feat?? ---
**Author:** ![Florian](https://community.mp3tag.de/user_avatar/community.mp3tag.de/florian/32/5759_2.png) [@Florian](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/Florian)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2023, 5:35pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/how-do-i-batch-delete-or-move-files-from-my-hard-disk-on-mac/60862/2 "2023-05-02T17:35:35Z")
> [@rejistry](#): > > I am a premium user of mp3tag on Mac. Not sure if such title exists, but it definitely sounds fancy 😃 > [@rejistry](#): > > which I would like to move or delete permanently You can copy files from within Mp3tag to a different location using drag&drop from Mp3tag to the target location in Finder (or **Copy** ⌘C and **Paste** ⌘V). To delete, you right click and press the option key ⌥ which changes the **Remove** menu item to **Delete**. ---
**Author:** ![rejistry](https://community.mp3tag.de/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/r/e9c0ed/32.png) [@rejistry](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/rejistry)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2023, 6:16pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/how-do-i-batch-delete-or-move-files-from-my-hard-disk-on-mac/60862/3 "2023-05-02T18:16:36Z")
Well I had to pay for the Mac version from the app store.... so doesn't it make me a premium user for this software that works in a more straight forward fashion on windows for absolutely free? FYI, I am looking to move or delete files. Not copy & paste. _To delete, you right click and press the option key ⌥ which changes the **Remove** menu item to **Delete**._ I tried this option that you suggested. First of all it REMOVES the file from the playlist. However, next I received an error message that the file "_couldn’t be moved to the trash because you don’t have permission to access it_." The message further continues stating "_To view or change permissions, select the item in the Finder and choose File \> Get Info_." Now mind you that it has removed the file already from the list on which I need to check permissions on. In any case, I have checked the permissions of the file and it indicates that I can read & write. Also imagine now doing this entire process on 1000+ tracks. What am I doing wrong here? ---
**Author:** ![MotleyG](https://community.mp3tag.de/user_avatar/community.mp3tag.de/motleyg/32/440_2.png) [@MotleyG](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/MotleyG)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2023, 6:58pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/how-do-i-batch-delete-or-move-files-from-my-hard-disk-on-mac/60862/4 "2023-05-02T18:58:58Z")
To MOVE files, you can use an Action like `Format Value`, and update the field `_FILENAME` with an absolute location like `D:\Music\$left(%albumartistsort%,80)\$left(%albumsort%,80)\$ifgreater(%totaldiscs%,1,$left(%discnumber%,1)-,)$num(%track%,2) $left(%titlesort%,80)` or similar, using the context and fields you choose for your preference. The details for the Mac version can be found here. > [@Quick Actions and Action Groups](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/quick-actions-and-action-groups/51882): > > Mp3tag for Mac provides a variety of Actions, which can be used on filenames and tags. The actions can be applied individually via Actions → Quick Actions ⌥⌘ 6 or be grouped into named and reusable Action Groups via Actions → Actions ⌘ 6. Action Groups serve as repeatable workflows in Mp3tag for Mac. When using Quick Actions you can select one of the different available action types from the list. This action will be applied to the selected files and the changes are saved immediately. Tip 1… As for your request about deleting tracks... > [@rejistry](#): > > Currently I have a playlist of 1000+ tracks located across various folders - which I would like to move or delete permanently. How do you suggest that I go about achieving this feat?? Are you looking to remove the tracks from the playlist only? Or are you trying to permanently delete the actual file from your drive? These are two very different things. ---
**Author:** ![rejistry](https://community.mp3tag.de/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/r/e9c0ed/32.png) [@rejistry](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/rejistry)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2023, 7:34am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/how-do-i-batch-delete-or-move-files-from-my-hard-disk-on-mac/60862/5 "2023-05-03T07:34:36Z")
Hi. Thanks for your help. I am looking to permanently delete the actual files from my drive. These files are on an external hard disk, scattered across various folders. ---
**Author:** ![rejistry](https://community.mp3tag.de/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/r/e9c0ed/32.png) [@rejistry](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/rejistry)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2023, 7:54am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/how-do-i-batch-delete-or-move-files-from-my-hard-disk-on-mac/60862/6 "2023-05-03T07:54:27Z")
To MOVE files, you can use an Action like `Format Value`, and update the field `_FILENAME` with an absolute location like `D:\Music\$left(%albumartistsort%,80)\$left(%albumsort%,80)\$ifgreater(%totaldiscs%,1,$left(%discnumber%,1)-,)$num(%track%,2) $left(%titlesort%,80)` or similar, using the context and fields you choose for your preference. The details for the Mac version can be found here. I tried this MOVE action as recommended by you. However, after running the action I get a message saying "_cannot access file via secure bookmark_" Any solution for this? ---
**Author:** ![Florian](https://community.mp3tag.de/user_avatar/community.mp3tag.de/florian/32/5759_2.png) [@Florian](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/Florian)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2023, 8:52am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/how-do-i-batch-delete-or-move-files-from-my-hard-disk-on-mac/60862/7 "2023-05-03T08:52:46Z")
> [@rejistry](#): > > I tried this MOVE action as recommended by you. However, after running the action I get a message saying "_cannot access file via secure bookmark_" > > Any solution for this? The issue you're experiencing is due to Mp3tag being a sandboxed application. Sandboxed applications require explicit access to files and folders provided by the user via - an open panel, e.g., with ⌘O - Drag & Drop - Services Mp3tag tries to remember once the permission is given via a "secure bookmark". This allows for editing the same files without subsequent requests for permission. If you drag&drop or open _individual_ files, e.g., via a playlist, Mp3tag only gets permission to edit those files. Renaming (and, thus, moving files) also requires permission to the enclosing folder. The good thing is, that those secure bookmarks apply to all included files and folders or a folder for which the permission is given. So if you choose a more general folder (e.g., the root folder of the files on your external drive in the open panel, or your home directory at ⇧⌘H if you have this on local files too), you can prevent future prompts for any of the containing files and folders. You can also cancel the reading process if it takes longer than acceptable — Mp3tag will store the bookmark no matter what. ---
**Author:** ![rejistry](https://community.mp3tag.de/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/r/e9c0ed/32.png) [@rejistry](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/rejistry)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2023, 1:21pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/how-do-i-batch-delete-or-move-files-from-my-hard-disk-on-mac/60862/8 "2023-05-03T13:21:21Z")
Thanks!! That helped. Much appreciated!