Opening a TRASHES File

The TRASHES file type is primarily associated with Finder (macOS).

TRASHES	File extension: TRASHES
	File type:	Trash metadata

What is a TRASHES file

TRASHES files mostly belong to Finder (macOS). .TRASHES files store metadata about files moved to the Trash on macOS systems. These files, named .Trash on volumes formatted with HFS+, and .Trashes on volumes formatted with APFS, are located within hidden .Trash or .Trashes folders at the root of each volume. These folders maintain the original directory structure of deleted files, allowing for restoration to their original locations. Importantly, .TRASHES files themselves do not contain the actual deleted data; they act as pointers to the original files, which are renamed and moved to the appropriate .Trash or .Trashes directory. When the Trash is emptied, both the .TRASHES files and the associated renamed files are deleted. The internal structure of .TRASHES files is proprietary, but they essentially contain information like the original file path, deletion date, and potentially other metadata used by the Finder to manage the Trash functionality.

How can I open a TRASHES file?

You need a suitable software like Finder (macOS) to open a TRASHES file. You need a suitable software like Finder (macOS) to open a TRASHES file. Without proper software you will receive a Windows message "How do you want to open this file?" or "Windows cannot open this file" or a similar Mac/iPhone/Android alert. If you cannot open your TRASHES file correctly, try to right-click or long-press the file. Then click "Open with" and choose an application. You can also display a TRASHES file directly in the browser:. Just drag the file onto this browser window and drop it.

Online TRASHES Text Viewer

Choose your .trashes file to analyze

or drag and drop it here

Online File Viewer

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Unable to Open a .TRASHES File? Quick Solutions:

While .TRASHES files typically contain system data, they can occasionally come from different programs and aren't universally openable.

Identify the Source: These files usually appear on USB drives connected to Macs (suggesting macOS Finder Trash metadata) or from system backups.
Check the Header: Open the file in a text editor or hex viewer to inspect its first bytes. You might see:
- Binary data indicating proprietary macOS system structures.
- "PK" if it's unexpectedly a renamed ZIP archive.
Use the Original Software: The original program is usually required; try macOS Finder, Apple Terminal, or a data recovery tool, but if uncertain, ask the sender.
Use this Webpage: Drag and drop the file into our viewer to detect the format, extract readable metadata, and preview when possible.

Technical Data for TRASHES File Extension

File classification:

System

a trashes Trash metadata is a special file format and should only be edited and saved with the appropriate software.

How to solve problems with TRASHES files

Associate the TRASHES file extension with the correct application.
Update your software that should actually open trash metadata files. Because only the current version supports the latest TRASHES file format. Search, therefore, e.g. on the manufacturer website after an available Finder (macOS) update.
To make sure that your TRASHES file is not corrupted or virus-infected, get the file again and scan it with Google's virustotal.com.
Click here to open your .TRASHES file online - secure, fast, and no downloads needed.