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Other Category Storage space

Yesterday Oct 19 (Philippine time GMT +8), I wanted to make the partition size of Windows big but I cannot make it big because the Other Category is big and it makes my storage full. And what makes it big is the Virtual Box VMs that is deleted right now and I have search on how to shrink the other category and I used CleanMyMac X Free and I manually also remove leftover files of the app but it's not shrinking. And I saw in YouTube on how to remove the other category but it will make my MacBook a fresh start and I don't want that. And can anyone please help on how to shrink the other category because it is possible because other computers has a smaller other category?


This image shows how big is the Other Category.


The video that will make my MacBook a fresh start.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06ClBRx3imY&t=663s

MacBook, macOS 11.6

Posted on Oct 19, 2021 6:05 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Oct 20, 2021 10:54 AM

Number one mistake, IMHO, CleanMyMac X Free


Any Third Party Applications that will interfere with the normal operation of the OS, alter, modify, remove or delete or attempt to do so is an invitation for disaster and may require a Reinstallation of the OS. This includes AntiVirus, Cleaners, Optimizes, UnInstaller etc.


Judging from the minimum of 600 hits - this specific Application Should be removed as per the Developers Specific Instructions


Any Third Party Applications that will interfere with the normal operation of the OS, alter, modify, remove or delete or attempt to do so is an invitation for disaster and may require a Reinstallation of the OS.


https://discussions.apple.com/search?q=cleanmymac




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7 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Oct 20, 2021 10:54 AM in response to Ronasara

Number one mistake, IMHO, CleanMyMac X Free


Any Third Party Applications that will interfere with the normal operation of the OS, alter, modify, remove or delete or attempt to do so is an invitation for disaster and may require a Reinstallation of the OS. This includes AntiVirus, Cleaners, Optimizes, UnInstaller etc.


Judging from the minimum of 600 hits - this specific Application Should be removed as per the Developers Specific Instructions


Any Third Party Applications that will interfere with the normal operation of the OS, alter, modify, remove or delete or attempt to do so is an invitation for disaster and may require a Reinstallation of the OS.


https://discussions.apple.com/search?q=cleanmymac




Oct 20, 2021 10:45 AM in response to Zappingsbrew

I have several thoughts to share with you, which are important to know.

First, concerning the "other" space:

The Other Category should not be altered, modified, move or deleted since it is part of the Mac’s operating system. Doing so would corrupt the OS and render the OS inoperative requiring a Wipe and Re-Installation.

The Other category is a potpourri of files which include:

• System temporary files

• macOS system folders

• Archives and disk images (.zip, .iso, etc. - often found in the Downloads folder)

• Personal user data

• Files from the user’s library (Application Support, iCloud files, screensavers, etc.)

• Cache files

• Fonts, plugins, extensions

• Other files that are not recognized by a Spotlight search

• Media files that cannot be classified by Spotlight as a media file because they are located inside of a package

They can be located anywhere on your hard drive. The files that you have control over are located in the Documents, Downloads, Pictures, Music and Movies folders.

Also, if your OS becomes too full your computer will stop functioning.

Finally, this is a good time to seriously consider adding an external drive for storage. Then you can move files onto it and then delete them from your HD to clear needed space. Easy to do and problem solved.

Oct 20, 2021 11:41 AM in response to Zappingsbrew

First, there is no reason to ever install or run any 3rd party "cleaning", "optimizing", "speed-up", anti-virus, VPN or security apps on your Mac.  This user tip describes what you need to know and do in order to protect your Mac: Effective defenses against malware and other threats - Apple Community.  


There are no known viruses, i.e. self propagating, for Macs.  There are, however, adware and malware which require the user to install although unwittingly most of the time thru sneaky links, etc.   


Anti Virus developers try to group all types as viruses into their ad campaigns of fear.  They do a poor job of the detecting and isolating the adware and malware.  Since there are no viruses these apps use up a lot of system resources searching for what is non-existent and adversely affect system and app performance.


There is one app, Malwarebytes, which was developed by a long time contributor to these forums and a highly respected member of the computer security community, that is desshoigned solely to seek out adware and known malware and remove it.  The free version is more than adequate for most users.  


As you've already been told uninstall CMM according to the developer's instructions.


Also, the Other category is a potpourri of files which can include:


• System temporary files

• macOS system folders

• Archives and disk images (.zip, .iso, etc. - often found in the Downloads folder)

• Personal user data

• Files from the user’s library (Application Support, iCloud files, screensavers, etc.)

• Cache files: browser, Mail

• Mail messages & attachments

• Fonts, plugins, extensions

• Safari reading list

• iTunes backups

• Crud resulting from jailbreaking your iDevice

• Game data

• Saved data files

• Call history

• Notes

• Media

• Voice memos

• Other files that are not recognized by a Spotlight search

• Media files that cannot be classified by Spotlight as a media file because they are located inside of a package

• Files created and modified by other user accounts on your Mac.


They can be located anywhere on your hard drive.


The files that you have control over are located in the Documents, Downloads, Pictures, Music and Movies folders.  You can use either of these two free apps, GrandPerspective  or OmniDiscSweeper, to find the largest files on your drive so you can determine if they can be deleted or moved to an external HD for storage.  


Note: you can empty the Downloads folder after the apps and/or updates that were downloaded have been installed or applied.  Many users have found a couple of Gigabytes of files in their Downloads folder which are no longer needed. 


Other Category Storage space

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