The problem of running out of hard drive space on a Macbook might not seem like that big of a deal at first. However, if you tend to hoard files on your computer, you will most likely have to encounter this issue sooner rather than later.
Despite all of its advantages, a Macbook is not the best when it comes to available storage. Having only a few gigabytes of free space will leave you with a slow computer. Some people might not like it, but it is what it is.
Thankfully, there are ways to free up the Macbook’s drive space. If you want to know you can do it, read the suggestions below.
Suggestion #1 – Take Care of Temporary Junk Data
Temporary system junk can get out of hand. The sheer number of files is a headache for the computer to process by themselves. Add the fact that they take up drive’s space, and you have a serious problem.
Removing the temporary system junk manually is an option. However, you would be better off getting a cleanup utility tool. Software that automatically deletes unnecessary system junk will save you the time and effort that you would have to put into monotonous work.
Suggestion #2 – Discard Old Applications
You may not have installed too many applications during the time you had the Macbook, but checking the app list should still be one of the first things you need to do.
Some apps do not take that much space themselves. It is files that come with these apps. For example, extensions, plugins, and even language pack support which is more or less redundant.
Deleting apps might free up more drive space than you expect. And, if you ever need to use an application you have deleted, you can download and reinstall it later.
Suggestion #3 – Memorize Ways to Delete Files Permanently
It is important to note that removing files from the Macbook permanently is not as simple as it may sound to some. Plenty of people drag files in the Trash Bin and think that doing so is enough.
The reality is quite different. You need to empty the Trash Bin each time you put a file there. Or, at the very least, enable the feature that removes data from the Bin automatically after 30 days.
If you want, you can also use the Option + Command + Delete keyboard shortcut. Select the file(s) you want to delete from the computer, hit the sequence, and confirm the pop-up.
Suggestion #4 – Use Cloud Services
Dropbox and iCloud are two of the go-to cloud services for those who want to transfer their files to another location instead of deleting them.
You will get a few gigabytes of free storage. However, if you find that cloud services are great and are worth the money, you can invest in a monthly plan and receive additional space.
One of the biggest advantages of clouds is that you can access files from multiple devices so long as they are synced with the cloud account. Not to mention how safe of a location Dropbox and iCloud is.
Suggestion #5 – Confirm the Computer Is Malware-Free
Malware comes in different forms. People should not be surprised about malware that eats away computer space. If you find that there is less free storage each time you check the Macbook’s drive, scan the system.
Reliable antivirus should find corrupted files and eliminate them. Also, note that running custom disk scans is also a good piece of advice. While having antivirus in the background should prevent most threats, custom scans would help with the malware problem as well.
Suggestion #6 – Buy External Storage Devices
External storage devices like memory sticks and hard drives are similar to cloud services. You get a place to store your data and access it when necessary.
Not everyone is keen on buying external storage devices because they can be quite expensive. However, finding a better solution might be hard if you have multiple files you want to keep.
If you lack the budget, wait for the holiday season and buy an external hard drive during sales. This way, you will not have to spend as much money.
Suggestion #7 – Check Downloads and Email Attachments
Keep an eye on email attachments and downloads. PDF files and other types of files in these folders may accumulate files faster than you expect. And if you feel like it is something you could forget, make the Macbook’s desktop the default location for both downloads and email attachments. You will see files and can remove them once they are of no use to you.
Suggestion #8 – Consume Media on Streaming Sites
Large media files should be a thing of the past. There is no need to keep movies, TV shows, and music on your computer, thanks to all the available streaming services.
Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Spotify, and other platforms provide hours of entertainment. Not only are they convenient to use, but they also eliminate the need to hoard computers with large media files.
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