Sluggest Mac

Solution from Etrecheck:

Solution

Here is a list of possible solutions to your problem. Your solution may include one or more step-by-step tasks to perform.

Beachballing, also called SPOD (Spinning Pointer Of Death), is caused when one or more apps fail to respond to the operating system in a timely manner. It is common for individual apps display a beachball cursor when performing CPU-intensive operations. If you see the beachball cursor in multiple apps, then you could have a system-wide problem. Beachballing usually caused by one of three problems:

• Misbehaving software;
• A slow or failing hard drive, or other hardware problem; or
• Third party antivirus software.

Review software

EtreCheck determined that this task might be useful due to the presence of the following issues:

• You reported that your iMac was beachballing. Beachballing can be caused by misbehaving software ;
• Unsigned files;
• System modifications;
• Clean up; and
• Kernel extensions present.

1. The software reported on your EtreCheck report is mostly software that runs invisibly in the background. This software often makes low-level changes to your operating system. This software is always running, often has superuser permissions, and is difficult to uninstall. Each software package may be represented by one or more files in your EtreCheck report. This software may include the following types of files:

• • Kernel extensions - The lowest-level system modifications. Problems with this software can lead to kernel panics.
  • Launch daemons - Low level system modifications that can slow down your system and cause beachballing.
  • Launch agents - Low level system modifications that can slow down your system and cause beachballing.
  • User Launch agents - More low level system modifications that can slow down your system and cause beachballing.
  • Login items - Other apps that run as the current user. Login items may not always be visible in System Preferences > Users & Groups.

1. Use your EtreCheck report to identify all of the different software that is running on your computer. Some of this software may have been installed years ago, on other computers, and migrated to your current system. It is common for people to have forgotten what software they have installed and to be unaware of what software is constantly running in the background. Some of this software may not be compatible with current or future versions of macOS. Some of this software may have been installed for third party hardware that you no longer use. You may no longer need or want to run all of this software. Please review the software listed on your EtreCheck report and identify which software you really need and want to use. The more third party software you are running, the more complex your system will be and the more difficult it will be to debug and resolve any problems that may arise.
2. Before installing new software, always research the company or developer that makes it. If you haven’t done that until now, then research the software that you have already installed. Scamware is a huge business. Even if software does something useful, it could be collecting personal information about you, your computer and software, your contacts, or your web browsing history. Don’t assume it is safe just because it is sold in Apple’s App Store. See if you can find the developer of the software anywhere outside of the App Store. Do you own research. “Software review” or “top 10” websites are often just advertisements. If you have any questions, you can always ask on online discussion forums such as Apple Support Communities.
3. You do not have a Time Machine backup. Please see the Setup a Time Machine backup task for instructions on how to setup a Time Machine backup. Before uninstalling any software, make sure you have an up-to-date Time Machine backup. 
4. Most of the software listed on your EtreCheck report cannot be removed by dragging it to the trash. The only way to properly uninstall files like these is with vendor-provided uninstallers or uninstallation instructions. Never attempt to delete files in hidden directories by hand. Never use an “App Zapper” which could leave software partially installed and may delete unrelated system files. 
5. Please do not use EtreCheck’s Remove buttons in Unsigned Files to uninstall software. This service is only intended for true malware and adware that cannot be easily removed. EtreCheck will clearly identify any files that it thinks could be malware or adware.
6. If you have no other option, you can use the Show in Finder and Show executable buttons in your EtreCheck report to find files in the Finder and manually delete them. Make sure to delete only the files that EtreCheck selects in the Finder. This service could cause damage to 3rd party software installed on your computer. Please use with care.