kiwionwheels
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: How to remove GB from Hardrive memory?

I have around around 65GB of used memory on my hard rive - 35ish GB I know is used on Programs - and have no clue where 30GB is being spent. I've had people look with no result? How can I find what is using this memory and how to delete it?

MacBook Air, OS X Mavericks (10.9.5)

Posted on Jun 9, 2015 7:47 PM

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kiwionwheels

Q: How to remove GB from Hardrive memory?

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  • by BobHarris,

    BobHarris BobHarris Jun 9, 2015 8:24 PM in response to kiwionwheels
    Level 6 (19,292 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 9, 2015 8:24 PM in response to kiwionwheels

    OmniDiskSweeper (free download)

    <http://www.omnigroup.com/more>

     

    DO NOT delete files in your Home Folder -> Library tree as there are things like your iPhone backups, your email messages, your application preferences, etc…  If you think you have found something in your Home Folder -> Library that can be deleted, you should ask first.

     

    DO NOT delete files outside your home folder, as you may end up deleting something essential to Mac OS X, and turn your Mac into an expensive “Door Stop”.

     

    I will point out that you will find some very large files in private -> var -> vm (these are the Mac OS X virtual memory paging files (swapfiles) and where Mac OS X stores the copy of RAM when your Mac is put to sleep).  The swapfiles get deleted on reboot, and the sleep image is just going to be created again when you put your Mac to sleep.

     

    If you think you have found something to delete outside your home folder, it would be best to ask first before deleting.  There are many examples of people deleting files outside their home folder, or renaming files, or changing the ownership or permissions of files, and then their Mac stops running.  Do not be one of those people.  Ask first.

  • by kiwionwheels,

    kiwionwheels kiwionwheels Jun 9, 2015 8:38 PM in response to BobHarris
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 9, 2015 8:38 PM in response to BobHarris

    I havent deleted anything in my library and the only thing I have taken off my laptop are the ones that I can always replaced, as I was the one whom put them on there in the first place.

  • by BobHarris,

    BobHarris BobHarris Jun 9, 2015 8:47 PM in response to kiwionwheels
    Level 6 (19,292 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 9, 2015 8:47 PM in response to kiwionwheels

    My point is that when using a utility such as OmniDiskSweeper, you will be shown files that are normally hidden and you should be careful about what you choose to delete.

     

    But OmniDiskSweeper will show you where just about every file is on your system and how much storage it is using.  It is a very handy utility for cleaning up your disk.  It just has to be used carefully.

  • by kiwionwheels,

    kiwionwheels kiwionwheels Jun 10, 2015 12:38 AM in response to BobHarris
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 10, 2015 12:38 AM in response to BobHarris

    Than you so much

    and I shall be very careful, so I won't start now cause I don't want to delete anything while being tired

    Hope you have a great day or evening ^^