Steps to Free up Hard Drive Space on Macbooks
Are you struggling with hard drive space on a Macbook? Macs are great in how they perform in addition to their reliability. However, some users are frustrated with the lack of available storage on a hard drive.
This frustration usually stems from a lack of data management experience. Tendencies to hoard files on a computer can get out of control, and it is important to understand that you need to be more careful and take a different file management approach.
This article provides solutions on how Macbook users can clear up space on their hard drives. Create a proper file management strategy by taking the steps below.
Step #1 – Delete Unnecessary Applications
Look at your list of applications and see which of them can be removed. It is not efficient to keep apps you no longer need, especially when looking to free up disk space.
It is also possible that some of your applications are running in the background and consuming system resources. Reducing the number of applications would also free up system resources and improve computer performance in addition to freeing up disk space.
Step #2 – Get Rid of Temporary Junk
Buy cleanup utility software and use it to regularly remove junk files, like old system backups and app extensions. The sheer number of temporary files is a hindrance to the system’s performance. And since these files are invisible and can be accessed by changing the system’s settings, having a cleanup utility tool that automatically does the work is a more efficient option.
Removing junk data regularly will give you more free drive space and enhance the overall performance of the Macbook.
Step #3 – Scan for Malware
Check your computer for potential malware. A virus may be eating away drive space without you even realizing what is happening. If you notice fewer gigabytes of free space every time you check the hard drive status, the chances are that a cybersecurity threat is behind the problem.
Scan the system and eliminate any infected files. If the problem repeats itself in the future, get a better antivirus, and change your browsing habits – switch to a virtual private network and avoid clicking on questionable URLs.
Step #4 – Remove App Language Files
Language pack files come with some applications, and it may surprise you how much space language data needs. If an app supports more than 50 languages, then these files can be as large as one gigabyte.
In most cases, people need only the English version, meaning that there is no real reason to keep the other 50 or so language files.
Step #5 – Check Duplicates, Email Attachments, and Downloads
Redundant files like duplicates could also be taking a portion of your hard drive. Make it a priority to get rid of them. And speaking of priorities, download and mail folders might also have more files than you expect. Check these two regularly and delete files that you no longer need.
Step #6 – Transfer Data to Clouds
Dropbox and iCloud offer free storage services. And if you are happy with the services, there is an option to expand available storage and upgrade your plan for a monthly subscription that costs a few dollars.
You can access data in clouds on multiple devices that are synced. Moreover, you can view text documents or pictures directly – there is no need to copy them to a computer. Lastly, Dropbox and iCloud are known for their safety, so you can rest easy knowing that your data is in a good location.
Step #7 – Get External Storage Devices
External storage devices like DVDs and flash sticks are relatively cheap. For example, you can even purchase second-hand flash sticks because they still work and are fine for keeping files. Some people might find transferring data from external storage to computer bothersome. Still, if you want to keep files without deleting them, external storage devices are one of the best options.
Step #8 – Reinstall the Operating System
A fresh start is what your computer and hard drive might need. Reinstalling the operating system can be a bit problematic when you lack experience, but there are plenty of guides for it online. As a last resort, you can ask someone to do the work for you, or take the Mac to a service store and ask the staff there to reinstall the OS for you.
Step #9 – Consume Media on Streaming Services
Streaming services have become the go-to method to consume media. Many different platforms allow people to watch movies, TV shows or listen to music with just a few clicks. And the best part about streaming services is how they eliminate the need to keep large media files on a computer. Therefore, if you subscribe to services like Netflix or Spotify, you can rest easy knowing that there is no need to keep movies, TV shows, or music on your Macbook’s hard drive.
