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iMac very slow running

my iMac continually runs very slow. I have plenty space, so it is not that.

iMac 21.5″, macOS 11.0

Posted on Dec 14, 2020 3:37 AM

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Posted on Dec 14, 2020 4:56 AM

Please determine if the same problems occur in "Safe Mode": How to use safe mode on your Mac.

6 replies

Dec 14, 2020 8:44 AM in response to chrissie09

You can determine if your Mac is in Safe Mode with (Apple menu) > About This Mac > System Report > Software.


Under System Software Overview you should see Boot Mode: Safe


If you see Boot Mode: Normal that's not Safe Mode.


Either way if your Mac is running as poorly as you describe a hardware fault is likely to exist. Usually, the cause is a hard disk drive operating in a state of failure. They can be fixed. Observing poor performance in Safe Mode would help confirm that suspicion.


This also assumes the total absence of any non-Apple "anti-virus", "cleaning", or "Internet security" products including "banking security". If you used anything at all in that broad category of utterly useless yet disturbingly popular garbage, don't. A lot of things won't work if you do.

iMac very slow running

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