Slow iMac operation

Hi there -

+1 to uninstall Kaspersky. This article should help with uninstallation: Uninstall Kaspersky Internet Security.

Mac computers do not need any sort of antivirus. Antivirus and similar types of software can interfere with macOS and potentially cause issues. Here are some links that describe Apple's built-in malware protection, which are far superior:

• macOS - Security - Apple
• Protecting against malware in macOS - Apple Support
• Protect your Mac from malware - Apple Support
• Ways to avoid malware and harmful apps on Mac - Apple Support

+1 to uninstall AppCleaner. This can simply be dragged to the Trash.

Next, your USB 3-equipped Mac with a hard disk can have improved system performance by connecting to an external solid-state drive (also known as an SSD). An external SSD as your startup disk can give your Mac additional performance for system responsiveness, apps, startup, and more. An SSD will make your Mac 10 to 40 times faster for storage, and in turn, make your entire Mac faster and more capable.

To learn more, see Use an external SSD as your startup disk with your iMac or Mac mini - Apple Community. 

Another option is to replace this Mac with a new Apple Silicon Mac: Mac - Apple. You can also use Apple Trade-In to get credit towards a new Mac: Apple Trade In - Apple.

-Jack

The two bolded items here:

Drives:

disk0 - APPLE HDD HTS541010A9E632 1.00 TB (Mechanical - 5400 RPM)

Internal SATA 3 Gigabit Serial ATA

result in the two bolded items here:

Performance:

System Load: 1.85 (1 min ago) 2.07 (5 min ago) 1.40 (15 min ago)

Nominal I/O usage: 0.00 MB/s

File system: 32.57 seconds

Write speed: 81 MB/s

Read speed: 86 MB/s

Those write/read speeds are as fast as an SATA 3GB, 5400rpm mech hard drive can do, but still feels slow with newer macOS versions. Thus I concur 100% with Jack-19's external boot volume recommendation.

The Thunderbolt 3 ports on your 2017 iMac open two external drive options. The most cost-effective is a USB3 enclosure with an SATA 6GB SSD inside. That will do write/reads of at least 400MB/sec. An external Thunderbolt 3/4 drive, although quite a lot more expensive, can do over 2000MB/sec.

Besides a slow drive you've installed some very unnecessary software, Kaspersky. 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 documents describe what you need to know and do in order to protect your Mac: Effective defenses against malware and other threats - Apple Community and Recognize and avoid phishing messages, phony support calls, and other scams - Apple Support.  

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 designed solely to seek out adware and known malware and remove it.  The free version is more than adequate for most users.  

So uninstall Kaspersky software according to the developers instructions.

If budget is a consideration you can economically add an eternal SSD and up your read and write speeds by 5x:

with a setup like this:

I just got a JFamiliga SATA 3.0 to USB 3.0 adaptor for $7. It has power and access lights.

Just some food for thought.

My suggestions:

• • Delete Kaspersky anti-virus. It's not needed, and causes issues and slowdowns with nearly any Mac it's installed in. Please use the manufacturer's uninstall routine to eliminate it, as dragging the app to the Trash will not get rid of everything. If you need the Password Manager functionality, I'd recommend 1Password instead.
  • Same thing with AppCleaner.
  • Update your MacOS. Your iMac can use MacOS Monterey. You're running Big Sur.

Once you're able to remove Kaspersky, you should see a noticeable speed improvement. However, your iMac is now over 6 years old, so it will never be as fast as the newest computers from Apple.

эдуардfromсанкт-петербург wrote:

I would also like to clarify whether the above-mentioned performance problem is not solved by using the imac as a display for the Apple Mac Mini M2 desktop computer (2023), 8GB/256GB, Silver?

Of course it can't because the M1 is to new to be able to use the Target Display mode.

I like the LaCie 500GB Mobile SSD Secure USB-C Drive - Gray - Apple. It should work great for you.

-Jack