My iMac is extremely slow running

I asked the Apple Community a month ago why my iMac was so slow. I got some really nice people to answer me and said I should run an Etrecheck report. I did that and the report says that my issues are not major, but it seems I have a bunch of minor issues. It is way too long for someone to read or take their time to help me. Should I take my computer to an Apple store? In case anyone takes mercy on an old person, I have cut it into this space. I don’t believe I am computer illiterate, but I do not know what orphan files are, nor system modifications, (I didn’t modify anything on my computer),I nor kernel extensions, so I need to probably let Apple help me. I appreciate the previous help and if you see an easy explanation, I am willing to listen and learn.


Thank you.



iMac 21.5″, macOS 12.7

Posted on Nov 18, 2024 5:14 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Nov 18, 2024 11:49 AM

Orphan files are files that the app that used them is no longer on the Mac. They can be deleted to save storage space.


Part of the problem is that the model you purchased was the slowest that Apple offered at the time of purchase: 8 GB RAM and 5400 rpm hard drive.


Other, and maybe more serious, are the installation of Webroot and MacKeeper. That are considered to be akin to malware by many here.


I recommend uninstalling them according to the developer's instructions. Then you can check to see if you've removed all of the supporting files by downloading and running the shareware app Find Any File to search for any files with the application's or the developer's name in the file name.  For the two apps in question you'd do the following search(es): 


1 - Name contains webroot

2 - Name contains mackeeper

3 - Name contains macpaw


Any files that are found can be dragged from the search results window to the Desktop or Trash bin in the Dock for deletion.


FAF can search areas that Spotlight can't like invisible folders, system folders and packages.  


If you get warnings that the file can't be deleted because it is in use or used by another app boot into Safe Mode according to How to use safe mode on your Mac and delete from there.


Note:  if you have a wireless keyboard with rechargeable batteries connect it with its charging cable before booting into Safe Mode.  This makes it act as a wired keyboard as will assure a successful boot into Safe Mode.


You should also reboot more frequently. I recommend shutting down at night. This will clear out temporary system and application swap and cache files which, if damaged, can cause performance problems.


4 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Nov 18, 2024 11:49 AM in response to lindafromyukon

Orphan files are files that the app that used them is no longer on the Mac. They can be deleted to save storage space.


Part of the problem is that the model you purchased was the slowest that Apple offered at the time of purchase: 8 GB RAM and 5400 rpm hard drive.


Other, and maybe more serious, are the installation of Webroot and MacKeeper. That are considered to be akin to malware by many here.


I recommend uninstalling them according to the developer's instructions. Then you can check to see if you've removed all of the supporting files by downloading and running the shareware app Find Any File to search for any files with the application's or the developer's name in the file name.  For the two apps in question you'd do the following search(es): 


1 - Name contains webroot

2 - Name contains mackeeper

3 - Name contains macpaw


Any files that are found can be dragged from the search results window to the Desktop or Trash bin in the Dock for deletion.


FAF can search areas that Spotlight can't like invisible folders, system folders and packages.  


If you get warnings that the file can't be deleted because it is in use or used by another app boot into Safe Mode according to How to use safe mode on your Mac and delete from there.


Note:  if you have a wireless keyboard with rechargeable batteries connect it with its charging cable before booting into Safe Mode.  This makes it act as a wired keyboard as will assure a successful boot into Safe Mode.


You should also reboot more frequently. I recommend shutting down at night. This will clear out temporary system and application swap and cache files which, if damaged, can cause performance problems.


Nov 18, 2024 12:26 PM in response to lindafromyukon

That's the 8 gigabyte hard disk drive iMac. That was slow when it was built.


Why is it slow? Why is my hard disk drive iMac so slow? - Apple Community


What can you do, short of replacing the iMac? Use an external SSD as your startup disk … - Apple Community


You can also use the AirPrint drivers, as the specs indicate HP ENVY 5660 e-All-in-One Printer series supports AirPrint. That means no add-on drivers are needed for most operations. That means less stuff installed. That also gets rid of the need for that unsigned printer-named app (from HP?).


There's also some hunks of an add-on Webroot anti-malware app, and a cleaner app. Some anti-malware and some cleaners can cause performance problems, and some of the better-known add-on security vendors have themselves been privacy problems. What happens with some of these add-ons that are or become incompatible or that have been incompletely removed can be anybody's guess. And if you're having problems with limited performance, you want most everything not completely necessary removed. Here, use the built-in anti-malware, and the built-in cleaning.


What to do, pending future replacement with a better-configured Mac?


  • Remove Webroot, and remove MacKeeper.
  • See if AirPrint printing to that printer works.
  • Migrate to and boot from an external SSD.

Nov 18, 2024 12:31 PM in response to lindafromyukon

+1 to OT's recommendations. After you uninstall (and double check it's gone!!) the software OT's recommends getting rid of you may want to consider getting an External SSD to help make the computer quicker. However considering the computers age, you may want to consider getting a new Mac mini which would be a HUGE upgrade over your current computer. If that is something you would consider you will need an external monitor (they start at <$100) and the iMac. You could use the old iMac's keyboard and mouse with the new MM. For about $1100 you would have a brand new Mac that will far outperform your current machine, a 1 year warranty and of course it is eligible for AppleCare, all things your old Mac don't have.


To migrate from the old machine is dead easy so if you are interested in a new Mac let us know and we can provide instructions on migrating from the old machine to the new one.


By the way, Yukon Territory is fabulous. We took up trip up there a few years ago, lots of incredible scenery and wildlife!

Nov 26, 2024 5:07 AM in response to rkaufmann87

I appreciate the Apple Community for my question “Why is my iMac so slow?” and I sent them my ✅report. I am going to try to eliminate Webroot and Webcatcher” which I myself loaded on advice given to me from asking Google for why it was so slow! I thought I had uninstalled Webroot so I am not sure if I know how to uninstall. I bought this iMac on advice from Best Buy salesperson. He told me nothing about MB or GBs. It was in 2017 when I bought my older iMac at Best Buy. I work on that computer mostly before income tax time and now it is so slow, I can hardy make the cost of that 2017 iMac which was $1,700, which I thought was expensive . I wanted an Apple home computer. I paid for it with Software to run Word and Excel at home. I was thinking it would be my household spreadsheet computer to track income and expenses for doing our personal income taxes. I guess I assumed that a new computer wouldn’t be old and slow like me in just 7 YEARS! Thank you, though. My knowledge of Apple computer Is limited and I don’t want to listen to the wrong people and mess my old iMac up. I use my home computer to online purchases and for April 15 every year and I want to use my home computer to track our lives online smartly and safely. I am old and don’t want to mess up my computer worse than it is now. I am trying, and I am not illiterate, but one click is extreme sometimes! Thanks for your advice and helpfulness! I will work on your instructions.

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My iMac is extremely slow running

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