Not every MacBook owner manages their data efficiently. As a result, they end up with just a few gigabytes of free disk space, and that leads to subpar computer performance.
If the problem sounds familiar and you would like to find out how to free up space on a MacBook’s drive, the tips in this blog post should be of good use.
1. Analyze Disk Space
You may want to start by analyzing disk space. Check what types of files are consuming the most space and whether your MacBook’s drive is in good condition. If you have tech-savvy friends, why not ask them for a piece of advice? An opinion of someone with experience may go a long way to help you come up with the best possible strategy.
2. Get Cleanup Software for Temporary Junk
Temporary system junk, such as app extensions, caches, plugins, and system backups, are the first files on the list. It is recommended to get a cleanup utility tool that can remove this type of data automatically.
After all, getting rid of it manually is monotonous and time-consuming. If you plan (which you should) to delete temporary system junk regularly, cleanup software is a good investment.
3. Check for Unnecessary Applications
Look at the list of applications and think which ones you can remove. Even if an app takes little space, you should remove it because the goal is to free up as much disk space as possible. And in case you need to use an application again, there is an option to download and install it later.
It is also worth mentioning that some applications have support for more than 50 languages, and such support files take quite a bit of space. Check if you have any of these files as well because you only need the English version most of the time to use an application, right?
4. Discard Old Downloads and Email Attachments
Go to the downloads and email attachment folders and see whether there are some old files there. You may be surprised, particularly with the email folder. Email attachments are saved on the Mac automatically when you open them.
While the files in download and email folders may not be that large, it would still be beneficial to get rid of them regularly.
5. Remember to Delete Data Permanently
There are a couple of ways to delete files permanently. And remember that dragging your files to the Trash Bin and leaving them there is not one of them.
The first way is to click the “Empty Trash” button after putting the files in the Bin. The second is to enable the feature that removes data from the Trash Bin permanently after 30 days.
Finally, you can skip the Bin and use the Option + Command + Delete keyboard shortcut after selecting the file and confirming the pop-up.
6. Scan the Computer for Malware
There are various kinds of malware and viruses, so do not be surprised to encounter one that is slowly eating your hard drive’s space.
Scan the computer using reliable antivirus software. In case the scan finds any corrupted files, get rid of them. Make sure that your antivirus is running in the background all the time. Also, enable the firewall and avoid shady websites if you want to improve the overall MacBook security even more.
7. Transfer Data to External Hard Drives
There is no need to delete every file. You can transfer some data to external hard drives or memory sticks. These devices are quite cheap, and you can get an even better deal by waiting for a sale or getting ones that are second-hand.
8. Keep Files on Dropbox and iCloud
Similar to external storage devices, cloud services also provide an opportunity to move data back and forth between the MacBook and another location. And when it comes to safety, iCloud and Dropbox are among the best.
You will get a few gigabytes of storage for free, and if you like what you see, upgrade your plan for even more space. The monthly fee is relatively small and worth considering what you get in return.
9. Watch and Listen to Media on Streaming Sites
Streaming platforms eliminate the need to keep large media files on your Mac. Movies, TV shows, and music are available with just a few clicks, and you do not have to download the data to consume your favorites.
Spotify, Netflix, Hulu, Disney+ and torrent websites are just a few examples. And given the popularity of streaming services and the competition, we can expect to see even more of these platforms to appear in the future.
Salman is a prolific environmental writer, and has authored more than 500 articles in reputed journals, magazines and websites. He is proactively engaged in creating mass awareness on renewable energy, waste management, sustainability and conservation all over the world.
Salman can be reached on salman@cleantechloops.com
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