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install mac os

In trying to install Big Sur upgrade from High Sierra 10.13.6 my disk to install option is Recovery HD which of its 650 MB total has Zero KB available. How do I make some space for the new OS? Thank you.


iMac Pro

Posted on May 18, 2021 1:17 PM

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6 replies

May 18, 2021 5:07 PM in response to llwhiz

Depending on just how close to the OS telling you the Drive Is Full - you might even need to use Transfer files between two Mac computers using target disk mode to salvage you personal files. The, maybe you will be able to do the Cleaning of the remainder of the drive as per previous suggestions.


For the future - one need to keep at least 10 - 15 GB of Empty Space on the Drive at all times for the OS to function and function properly


May 18, 2021 5:17 PM in response to llwhiz

If you are really that low on disk space, you're going to have to get about 40GB of disk space before you can upgrade MacOS.


Another option, more extreme but much faster to get to your end-point is to use Time Machine to backup your entire machine, or offload your data to an external disk. Time Machine might be faster.


Then, once your sure your data is backed up, wipe your machine and reinstall MacOS on a clean, empty machine.


It all starts with turning on your computer while holding command-R. Use Disk Utility to erase your Mac's hard drive, and resinstall MacOS. You can then plug your TimeMachine drive in and restore whatever data you want.


https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204904

May 18, 2021 4:57 PM in response to llwhiz

I suggest that you will have to do more to get sufficient free space. Also, depending on how full your HD is, the computer can stop functioning completely. I suggest that it is time to install a storage disk which you can use to transfer files onto in order to clear up the needed space. These days, these external disks are reasonably priced, compact, and very easy to install with provided USB cables. Most of them do not even require external power. You may have to reformat it, though. Easy to do and problem solved.

install mac os

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