Macbook filling up with other user's data

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Level 1

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Macbook filling up with other user's data

Hi - if anyone can help me with this, I'd be really grateful. My mother gave me her old MacBook Air (with Mac OS Catalina 10.15.7) and bought a new Mac for herself. I created a new account for myself on the old one, and it worked for a while. Now, it keeps telling me it's out of application memory, and it's evident that the hard disk is full. I don't save anything to the hard disk. I logged on as her and deleted some large files, but within a couple of days, the problem came back; I've repeated that process a few times now. I want to get rid of her data without causing anything on her new Mac, or backups, to be deleted - in effect, I want to disconnect her user entirely from the old Mac.

I found a tip about unsyncing accounts, which says:

Go to System Preferences > Apple ID > iCloud and untick "Desktop & Documents Folders".

Is this the answer? If I log on as her on the old Mac, I can see that option, but I don't know what it does. I also found a web page talking about doing the above operation on both Macs, but again, I don't know the consequences of that. I don't know anything about Macs and I'd be grateful for any help - thanks in advance.

Posted on Jun 25, 2024 3:43 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

The_Knowledge_Seeker

Level 4

3,876 points

Jun 25, 2024 3:55 AM in response to JMcGruther

Based on your description, it seems you're dealing with two main issues: running out of application memory and a full hard disk on the old MacBook Air. Here's how you can address these problems:

1. Unsyncing iCloud:

Yes, unchecking "Desktop & Documents Folders" in System Preferences > Apple ID > iCloud on your mother's account on the old Mac is a good step. This will stop syncing her files to the old Mac, which may be contributing to the full disk. However, this action alone won't delete existing files.

2. Removing your mother's data:

To properly remove your mother's data without affecting her new Mac:

- Log in to your mother's account on the old Mac.

- Go to System Preferences > Apple ID.

- Sign out of iCloud completely on this device.

- After signing out, you can safely delete her user account and home folder.

3. Freeing up disk space:

- Use Disk Utility to check the disk's health and repair if necessary.

- Empty the Trash. This is the step that will release most space as it will remove your mother's 'deleted' user account.

4. Managing application memory:

- Restart your Mac regularly to clear RAM.

- Close unused applications and browser tabs.

- Update macOS and all applications to their latest versions.

- Use Activity Monitor to identify and quit memory-hogging apps.

5. Consider a clean install:

If problems persist, consider backing up your data and performing a clean install of macOS. This will give you a fresh start without any lingering issues from the previous user.

Remember, before making any significant changes, ensure you have a backup of any important data. If you're unsure about any steps, it's always best to consult with an Apple specialist or visit an Apple Store for assistance.

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