Whether you like it or not, there will come a time when you begin to notice that there is not enough space on your hard drive. When it comes, you will likely be bombarded with warning messages and all that.
Is that good enough to start panicking? Well, probably to some extent. But it does not mean that you need to look for a new computer or anything along those lines. Only that there is a problem that you should put at the top of your priority list.
So what are the best ways to actually go about and solve the issue at hand? It may come as a surprise, but there are quite a few ways to free up that space. If you are interested in this topic, make sure to continue reading.
Removing Certain Applications
It may be a bit difficult to fathom, but there are a few applications that come as the default and take the storage even when you do not really need them. A good example could be Mackeeper.
While the app has its purposes for some, most people would be better off by simply getting rid of it. The MacPaw website has a great article on how to remove mackeeper, so it may be worth checking that one out.
Unused Applications
Continuing with the topic of applications, there are bound to be some apps that you have installed a while back but have not used them for many months. Is there any point in having them around? Definitely not.
Do not hesitate and simply delete them. After all, there is always the option of downloading them again in case you ever need that.
Anti-Virus Software
Some people claim that Macbooks do not need anti-virus software in the first place. It is difficult to fathom why these claims exist in the first place and where they come from, but they exist nonetheless.
How is this relevant to the hard drive space? Well, there are quite a few viruses and malware that gobble up your disk storage without you even realizing it. And that is certainly not all. Plenty of other types of malware exist, so why be at risk when you can have an anti-virus that will take care of business?
Large Files
Finder is the best option if you are looking to look for large files. Filter everything by its size and you will see everything in front of you. Of course, it does not mean that you will be able to delete every single file out there, but you ought to find one or two that should not be there in the first place.
Useless Media Files
Keeping all your pictures, videos, music, etc. on a computer is not necessarily the best course of action. Especially when it comes to music when you have services like YouTube or Spotify.
As for the rest, you should look to get a separate hard drive or a simple USB memory stick and put everything there. This will ensure safety as well as provide you with more space on the computer.
Cloud-Based Software
Dropbox and iCloud are somewhat underrated in the sense that quite a few people still fail to realize how much it has to offer. For starts, you get gigabytes of space for free, and if you want, there is always an option to upgrade the plan. In the case of iCloud, it is as little as one dollar every month.
Cloud-based software is one of the safest options and anything you transfer there will be intact. No need to worry about anything at all, in fact.
Clearing Caches and Duplicate Files
Caches accumulate from browsers, applications, and plenty of other sources. Duplicate files may also become a problem even if you are not proactively creating them.
The biggest problem with this one is the fact that you will not be able to take care of everything manually which leaves you with one option – using specific software. There are quite a few alternatives, but it does seem like CleanMyMac X is one of the best at the moment. Download it and see whether it will do a good on your computer as well.
Empty the Trash Bin
With all that said, never forget to click that button to empty the recycle bin. Even if you delete something, it does not mean that the file is gone from the computer for good. Quite a few still end up in the trash and are idling there.
Reinstalling the OS
Giving Macbook a fresh start might be the best suggestion yet since a complete OS reinstallation means that every little bit of junk will not be there once you are finished. Not only does this solve the problem of drive space, but it also helps to improve the overall performance. The feeling will be reminiscent of buying a brand-new laptop again.
