Software Update - Files Stored locally

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Level 1

46 points

Software Update - Files Stored locally

Hi Peeps. I am now down to 20gb on my 100gb MacBook Pro HD. I need to find some more space! I have gone through and removed all the old iPhone and iPod firmware updates I no longer need and lots of the additional files from Applications I no longer use.

Here is my question - do the software updates (Downloaded via the automated Software Update App) get stored locally on my drive? If so where are they and is it safe to bin them? I really need to free up some space.

I know this is an Apple forum but are there another Apps that leave large lingering files behind following an update. (MS Office 08, Quark 7.31, CS3, Final Cut Xpress, iLife 08 etc)?

Look forward to your help

Macbook Pro 2gb (15") 2gb RAM - Leopard, Mac OS X (10.5.4), iPhone 3G 16gb - iPod 30gb - iPod Nano 4gb

Posted on Aug 19, 2008 3:05 AM

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Answer 1

macjack

Level 10

111,242 points

Aug 19, 2008 3:31 AM in response to Kaostheory7

Nothing you download through Software Update should leave any installers on your Mac. If you download outside of Software Installer, it's up to you to eject and delete the .dmg file. If you have any, you would see them in the sidebar of Finder or in your Downloads folder.

Have you gone to /Library/Printers and deleted all but print driver(s) you use? That will free up some space. Since your data is not about to begin shrinking, I also strongly suggest you get another disk for backup 😉

EDIT: What Size can help you find what's hogging your disk space.

-mj

Message was edited by: macjack

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Answer 2

Kaostheory7 Author

Level 1

46 points

Aug 19, 2008 3:36 AM in response to macjack

Thanks Macjack - i didn't like the thought of all those Leopard updates lagging up my system. Will defo clear some print drivers and try the What Size app.

I have a number of back up drives, one for Time Machine and a couple of others for archiving but it is getting to the stage where I need to think about getting the internal drive upgraded as I need most of the stuff that is on there. Will also be switching to manually managing my music and vids on my iPhone as shifting the film rips to a secondary drive will save me 7gb!

Thanks for you help.

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