get rid of extraneous files

The easy way to remove files or apps is to move them to Trash and empty it. However, this sometimes does not also remove the various parts of an app which can be scattered throughout the HD. AppCleaner is a good tool for removal. I use it. An uninstaller app (if one is available) would be found somewhere on the website of the app provider.

Here is something else which may be useful. Make it habit to remove any old apps you no longer use. But either use the app provider's uninstaller app to completely remove the app and any extra pieces which may be scattered throughout the computer if an uninstaller is not available, you can use AppCleaner to accomplish a complete removal.

Edit...

LindaSchminda Said:

"get rid of extraneous files"

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Thank you for the followup reply.

Q1. "Hi, I don't understand something. If I follow these steps…. wouldn't my iPhone have different extraneous files than my MacBook? When you say 'trash the items'…. how do I know which items to trash? Are they highlighted or something? When I create the Time Machine Back Upon my Mac , where do I find this Migration Assistant?"

A1. You would back up you Mac first so that you can always restore these files. Then, perform with the deletion. Once deleted, back it up. As a result you'll have two backups: One with these files, and one without these files. As for which item to delete, view them in a Finder window, and sort them by size. Virtual Machines are typically in the GBs, and those take up loads of space. So, back those up to an external drive. As for the word "trash", note that I am not capitalizing it, meaning I am not referring to the Trash app. As for were to find Migration Assistant: Go to: Applications folder > Utilities folder. As for how to use, Migration Assistant, go here: Restore Items Backed Up with Time Machine on Mac - Apple Support

Q2. "Another thing I don't understand. What is the difference between just a regular Back Up to my external Harddrive and a 'Time Machine' backup? I one more preferable to another? What are the benefits? Thanks!"

A2. Time Machine Backups are for backing up your Mac in-full, and having something restore it from, in-full, or in-part(using Migration Assistant). Let's say you have gathered files from college over-the-years --those are files you would back up to an external hard drive, essentially dragging-and-dropping the, between windows. On the otherhand, if you were to install an update, or upgrade to a new macOS, you would back up your Mac as a Time Machine Backup, so that you can have something to restore your entire Mac from, should anything go wrong, or you just want to downgrade to, after the upgrade. When creating a Time Machine Backup, note you need to format your drive, accordingly. As for which format to use, APFS is which format to use for backing up for High Sierra and later: File System Formats Available in Disk Utility on Mac - Apple Support

Hope this helps.

"get rid of extraneous files: I want to back my MacBook Air, 2021 to an external Hard Drive, but I don't want to bring old, unnecessary files (remnants of uninstalling programs, etc, etc) How do I do this, or is there a program I can buy that can do this for me? Thanks!"

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Restoring a Backed-Up Mac:

You'd have to first backup your iPhone, and then trash items, backing it up one more time. So, create Time Machine Backup of your Mac, and then use Migration Assistant restarting from the second backup.

zehranrgi Said:

"where do I find this Migration Assistant?"

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Screenshot of Migration Assistant when just opened: