"System Files" Folder Too Large After MacOS Upgrade

ItalianCaesar wrote:

After updating my Macbook Pro to Monterey the system data folder on my Mac grew huge. I'm sure its filled with a lot of cache and old system files but can't find a way to delete it. How can I reduce the massive size of that folder?

Do some house cleaning—

Empty your Trash — Delete files and folders on Mac - Apple Support

https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/delete-files-and-folders-on-mac-mchlp1093/mac

How to free up storage space on your Mac - Apple Support

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT206996

See used and available storage space on your Mac

https://support.apple.com/guide/system-information/see-available-storage-space-syspf9b375b9/10.14/mac/10.15

User tip: "Other and What Can I Do About It ?"

https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-5142

Try something like OmniDiskSweeper for a GUI to get a good look at itemized file size and location:

OmniDiskSweeper http://www.omnigroup.com/more

How to delete Time Machine snapshots on your Mac

See used and available storage space on your Mac

The final word from Apple on Managing the " Other " Category

• Other: Contains files that don’t fall into the categories listed here. This category primarily includes files and data used by the system, such as log files, caches, VM files, and other runtime system resources. Also included are temporary files, fonts, app support files, and plug-ins. You can't manage the contents of this category. The contents are managed by macOS, and the category varies in size depending on the current state of your Mac.

Sigh. Its getting bigger. I've cleared Time Machine but the space i have is decreasing. What can i do if i cant manage the contents of this category? I use this machine for work and music production. But now its becoming difficult with all the space being used up under System Data.

The system data keeps fluctuating. Increasing at times like the below. I am not sure what it means. I haven't done anything since I last posted, except for browsing the internet on how to uninstall NI Massive X and then uninstalling NI Massive X.

I have the same problem (described above) and when I tried all the above under prior OS versions I was able to reduce the size minimally.

I have the same disk space concern. I did what you said and I saw an improvement. Thank you.

Is there any way to improve it further? What does the system data consist of?