"Clean" up iMac?

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Level 1

19 points

"Clean" up iMac?

Is there a process I can use to "clean" up my new iMac? I keep getting a message that I'm out of memory...not sure what I can do to clear it up?

Posted on Jan 22, 2022 9:05 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Old Toad

Level 10

215,376 points

Jan 23, 2022 10:50 AM in response to jrzygrl2

Your friend needs to remove enough files to give the installer room to install. Monterey requires a minimum of about 50 GB of free space to install. It's generally recognized that having more free space will help the system and application performance of your Mac. I like to keep around 100GB free on my boot drive.

The files that your friend has 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.

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Answer 2

rkaufmann87

Level 10

148,470 points

Jan 23, 2022 8:17 AM in response to jrzygrl2

That message means they have run out of storage space. What they need to do is move large libraries which are typically photos, music and movies onto an external HD such as a OWC Mercury Elite Pro, they will need to buy one. Moving libraries is pretty simple, for example if they use the Photos app for their pictures follow the directions in Move your Photos library to save space on your Mac. Do the same with music and movies. Once the libraries have been moved, double click on each and that will "teach" Mac OS where the libraries are located. After testing then they can move the old library to the Trash and empty the Trash.

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Answer 3

rkaufmann87

Level 10

148,470 points

Jan 22, 2022 10:02 PM in response to jrzygrl2

Please explain what you mean by "Clean" up your iMac? Please, what ever you do, DO NOT install any third party cleaning apps or antivirus apps. Without being specific about what you mean it is very difficult to understand what is going on, that's why we need more details.

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Answer 4

Mal-S

Level 5

5,062 points

Jan 23, 2022 11:08 AM in response to jrzygrl2

"Is there a process I can use to "clean" up my new iMac? I keep getting a message that I'm out of memory...not sure what I can do to clear it up?"

Apple menu -> About This Mac -> Storage -> Manage

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Answer 5

rkaufmann87

Level 10

148,470 points

Jan 23, 2022 7:36 AM in response to jrzygrl2

You are out of RAM (memory) or storage, 2 totally different things.

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Answer 6

jrzygrl2 Author

Level 1

19 points

Jan 23, 2022 7:32 AM in response to rkaufmann87

First, thanks for trying to help me! OK so what I’m getting is a message telling me I’m out of memory.

Yes I know better than to install any third-party programs so thanks for the reminder

I’m wondering what the process would be for me to check different areas on the hard drive to see what could be deleted to make more room? When I open activity monitor I’m not sure what to do.

Thanks again for helping

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Answer 7

jrzygrl2 Author

Level 1

19 points

Jan 23, 2022 8:03 AM in response to rkaufmann87

Ok, I'm trying to help a friend...and asked them specifically what message they are getting...they are telling me they got a message saying there isn't enough room to install the newest software update! So, possibly old software updates from their old iMac (10 years old) came over ... I'm headed there this morning to try to help them...thanks again for the guidance...

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Answer 8

jrzygrl2 Author

Level 1

19 points

Jan 23, 2022 10:23 AM in response to rkaufmann87

Nice! That's very helpful...I've moved my own photo library...so I can help them with that! Also, I use an EHD for lots of old files, so I can help them with that too. But I'm wondering about what they're telling me about having "old software versions" ... not sure what they're seeing with this. I'm on Monterey 12.1, I usually upgrade, and didn't think old versions of the software is kept or takes up space on our computers...does it?

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Answer 9

jrzygrl2 Author

Level 1

19 points

Jan 23, 2022 10:56 AM in response to Old Toad

Very, VERY helpful...Mr. Old Toad. Thank you so much for the hand holding! You have been extremely helpful...and I feel more confident going over to guide them. With this said, I'll suggest a call in to Apple support should I have any question or be uncertain about helping them! I'm not afraid to help, just don't want to cause a problem! Thanks again!

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Answer 10

jrzygrl2 Author

Level 1

19 points

Jan 23, 2022 11:14 AM in response to Old Toad

For sure! I did advise them to purchase one last week, so I know they have one. Also, I just got another message, saying he has "3 Microsoft operating systems" on his iMac that migrated over from the old iMac. This confuses me. I'm an old Apple user. When I worked years ago, I was able to use my Word files...but a number of years ago, that ended, and now I purchase Outlook 365 to use Word and Excel. I have too much history in those files to transition to Apple programs. So, I'm wondering what I'll find when I get over there. He's retired too, so I'm sure he has a TON of old Microsoft files...which answers the question of him having 3 operating systems. Any insight on this one?

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