EtreCheck Report - computer running slow - help with understanding report


My MacBook is running really slowly so I did an EtreCheck. Can someone help me to understand what to do with the results? Thanks.

Posted on Feb 12, 2024 3:42 PM

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Posted on Feb 12, 2024 5:12 PM

The only thing that really stands out is that there is quite a bit of RAM being used. This will slow the machine down by using swap files on your HD for virtual memory. There are quite a few apps that are set to launch on startup and each one will consume RAM.


I would do 2 things specifically:

  1. Go to Settings > General > Login Items, and remove all apps that are set to open at launch
  2. Completely remove all Google files. This would just be to test if your results improve. You can always install them again. One of the Google files is saying is is unsigned with a hidden executable and possibly Malware. This may just be an old file or identified incorrectly, but is another reason to start fresh without any google files installed. I would follow these steps to do this:
  • If you are using Google Chrome, drag it to the trash from your Application Folder.
  • Go to Finder > Go > Go to Folder, and enter: ~/Library/
  • You can copy and paste that location in there and make sure you include the tilde in front. Find the Google folder and drag it to the trash.
  • Go to Finder > Go > Go to Folder, and enter: ~/Library/LaunchAgents
  • Move com.google.GoogleUpdater.wake.plist to the trash.
  • Move com.google.keystone.agent.plist to the trash.
  • Move com.google.keystone.xpcservice.plist to the trash.
  • I would also move GCal from your Applications folder to the trash. There are 10 plugins and 7 widgets that are installed on the system with this app that may be consuming RAM.


I do recommend having a backup and not sure if you are currently using Time Machine to backup your data. The Google apps are easily installed back to your System without needing the backup, but not sure about any Google Calendar events that you may have and I don't want you to lose data if there is anything of importance. Normally Google stores user data on their servers so they would reappear when you signed back in with your account, but I do not have GCal to confirm that for you.


Your EtreCheck report is pretty clean compared to others I have seen so I commend you for not installing the Cleaners, or AntiVirus software that we normally see that cause problems with the system. The only other 2 apps that you have are OneDrive and Messenger. I have not seen OneDrive causing any problems and have seen it installed on many machines without an issue. You could try moving Messenger to the trash and just redownload it from the App Store if it makes no difference. The only reason why I would point out Messenger is that Meta does make heavy use of internet connectivity which may cause some slowdowns, but nothing in particular that would point to it being a problem.


After all that restart computer and compare results.

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Feb 12, 2024 5:12 PM in response to SamanthaW06

The only thing that really stands out is that there is quite a bit of RAM being used. This will slow the machine down by using swap files on your HD for virtual memory. There are quite a few apps that are set to launch on startup and each one will consume RAM.


I would do 2 things specifically:

  1. Go to Settings > General > Login Items, and remove all apps that are set to open at launch
  2. Completely remove all Google files. This would just be to test if your results improve. You can always install them again. One of the Google files is saying is is unsigned with a hidden executable and possibly Malware. This may just be an old file or identified incorrectly, but is another reason to start fresh without any google files installed. I would follow these steps to do this:
  • If you are using Google Chrome, drag it to the trash from your Application Folder.
  • Go to Finder > Go > Go to Folder, and enter: ~/Library/
  • You can copy and paste that location in there and make sure you include the tilde in front. Find the Google folder and drag it to the trash.
  • Go to Finder > Go > Go to Folder, and enter: ~/Library/LaunchAgents
  • Move com.google.GoogleUpdater.wake.plist to the trash.
  • Move com.google.keystone.agent.plist to the trash.
  • Move com.google.keystone.xpcservice.plist to the trash.
  • I would also move GCal from your Applications folder to the trash. There are 10 plugins and 7 widgets that are installed on the system with this app that may be consuming RAM.


I do recommend having a backup and not sure if you are currently using Time Machine to backup your data. The Google apps are easily installed back to your System without needing the backup, but not sure about any Google Calendar events that you may have and I don't want you to lose data if there is anything of importance. Normally Google stores user data on their servers so they would reappear when you signed back in with your account, but I do not have GCal to confirm that for you.


Your EtreCheck report is pretty clean compared to others I have seen so I commend you for not installing the Cleaners, or AntiVirus software that we normally see that cause problems with the system. The only other 2 apps that you have are OneDrive and Messenger. I have not seen OneDrive causing any problems and have seen it installed on many machines without an issue. You could try moving Messenger to the trash and just redownload it from the App Store if it makes no difference. The only reason why I would point out Messenger is that Meta does make heavy use of internet connectivity which may cause some slowdowns, but nothing in particular that would point to it being a problem.


After all that restart computer and compare results.

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EtreCheck Report - computer running slow - help with understanding report

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