pfisher112
Level 1 (14 points)
Desktops

Q: Startup Disk Full

I work for a school district and teachers all have MBAs.  They use the MBAs for personal and school use. Many teachers are still on Mavericks but some are on El Capitan. Occasionally, a teacher will tell me that there MBA startup disk is full.  I am trying to put together a document that will outline some suggestions on how to manage the hard drive space and how to free up space. I am trying to make this document user friendly and easy to follow.  I find it easier to create documents that highlights some suggestions and send it to them than type out suggestions.

 

Besides the obvious steps ie. Empty the Trash, Delete anything in Downloads folder, Move iTunes and Photo libraries to external drive, Delete Dropbox Local Cache, did I miss anything?  What other suggestions can I include in this document that is relevant to freeing up hard drive space?  I am trying come up with the common places on the hard drive to look for to help free up space. I am sure there is other things that can be deleted as well. 


I am trying to avoid suggesting 3rd party apps except for maybe Disk Expert or Disk Wave.  Again, I am trying to make this document easy to follow and I want to keep it up to date. 

 

Any help would be appreciated.

MacBook Air, OS X Mavericks (10.9.5)

Posted on Jun 16, 2016 7:27 AM

by FoxFifth,Apple recommended
FoxFifth FoxFifth
Level 7 (26,330 points)
iPhone
A:

The following information on locating large files may help: OS X El Capitan: Increase disk space

Posted on Jun 16, 2016 7:59 AM

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pfisher112

Q: Startup Disk Full

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  • by FoxFifth,Apple recommended

    FoxFifth FoxFifth Jun 16, 2016 7:59 AM in response to pfisher112
    Level 7 (26,330 points)
    iPhone
    Jun 16, 2016 7:59 AM in response to pfisher112

    The following information on locating large files may help: OS X El Capitan: Increase disk space

  • by pfisher112,

    pfisher112 pfisher112 Jun 16, 2016 8:57 AM in response to FoxFifth
    Level 1 (14 points)
    Desktops
    Jun 16, 2016 8:57 AM in response to FoxFifth

    I will start with that article but I need more suggestions from this community to include in the document.  Also, I know some teachers don't know what "Other" means when looking at Storage.  I have to include some information about "Other" and how to reduce "Other".  I have to breakdown what is included in terms of "Other".

     

    Again, the more suggestions, that I receive from this community, the easier it is to create this document.

  • by macjack,

    macjack macjack Jun 16, 2016 9:01 AM in response to pfisher112
    Level 9 (55,694 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 16, 2016 9:01 AM in response to pfisher112

    Omni DiskSweeper can show you the precise size and location of all your files. It will inventory your disk starting from the files that take up the most space. It can also give you a more accurate read of disk space than Finder or Storage Tab of About this Mac. If you want you can even delete files from OmniDisk Sweeper. But be careful some of the items may be important to your system.

  • by pfisher112,

    pfisher112 pfisher112 Jun 16, 2016 12:11 PM in response to macjack
    Level 1 (14 points)
    Desktops
    Jun 16, 2016 12:11 PM in response to macjack

    I am aware of Omni Disksweeper.  However, I want to steer the car back on to the road.  I don't want to make this thread about 3rd party software and what is good to use and not good to use.

     

    Again, what are the common places on the hard drive that a teacher can SAFELY delete stuff without causing havoc on the MBA? I don't want them to be deleting something  and then the MBA doesn't start or function properly. 

     

    The goal is to create a document with some helpful information so the teacher can *safely* delete files and other stuff.  Another goal is to have the teacher learn to manage there own MBAs.  Using the document provided to them, I want them to delete stuff themselves.

  • by OGELTHORPE,

    OGELTHORPE OGELTHORPE Jun 17, 2016 4:15 PM in response to pfisher112
    Level 9 (52,318 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 17, 2016 4:15 PM in response to pfisher112

    This defines OTHER:

     

    https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202867

     

    Ciao.