What is System/Volumes/Preboot and is it safe to delete? This file(or Volume) has taken nearly 20GB of the space. And with all these "System files" it has taken too much space on my computer. Can anyone give me a solid answer to whether it can be deleted, or at least reduce it size?
Kind regards,
MacBook Pro 13″
It's NEVER a good idea to delete anything you didn't create yourself, install yourself or download yourself.
If you didn't create it .. NO, don't delete it.
kaz-k has additional information in your duplicate post.
From the size of this and the other system partition you are complaining about, it appears that you may have attempted to install MacOS, and the install failed without completing.
If the install completes correctly, those files are removed when complete, and only very modest sized items (or none) remain in those system directories.
I suppose it is also possible you have put off installing an update or upgrade that 'Software Update' has downloaded automatically for you, in anticipation of your saying, yes, update now.
Hey, Thanks for the reply. I have just updated it to the latest Ventura 13.5.1 but it still exists. Please let me know if you have any ideas.
Thanks
Have you applied all available software updates?
Yes, I believe I have. (There's nothing showing up in system settings etc)
Just to add, deep within the subfolder of Preboot (3 subfolder in), there are two large files called "os.dmg" and "os.clone.dmg"
what version of MacOS is this?
This article suggests for macOS 11 Big Sur and later, that Volume is typically under 350 Mega Bytes.
for older macOS that volume is typically 40-50 Mega Bytes
https://eclecticlight.co/2021/01/09/boot-disk-layout-on-intel-and-m1-macs-high-sierra-to-big-sur/
Another reader suggested it may contain the stuff needed BEFORE you can open the Encrypted main Volume.
It's Ventura 13.5.1
I will have a read at what you sent.
Thanks!
What is System/Volumes/Preboot and is it safe to delete?
