Why do my iMac operating as if storage is full despite sufficient space?

CL1970 wrote:

On System Settings HD is half full (600GB out of 1T) and this is how my storage I have used. But it is operating as if the storage is completely full (Disc Utility shows the HD is FULL (999GB of 1T))

System Settings is wrong. Disk Utility is correct.

You will need to delete some files - a lot of files.

Note that as you delete files, your available spaces will actually go down. This is because you can't actually delete any files. All you do when trashing files is request that the operating system delete them. It will delete those files, but it may take a day or two.

CL1970 wrote:

My iMac is operating as if the storage is full, but it is not. On System Settings HD is half full (600GB out of 1T) and this is how my storage I have used. But it is operating as if the storage is completely full (Disc Utility shows the HD is FULL (999GB of 1T)) and won't save any data and other normal operations are affected too. How do I resolve problem? To get my iMac to operate again according to actual HD storage again.

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Much like another similar question which specifically mentioned " when I'm definitely not "

System Data taking up all free space - Apple Community

I would Trust the figures reported by and from Disk Utilities - First

But, as the user has already predetermined " but it is not. "

I am not sure what has been suggested will be relevant, in this case

If it looks full in Disk Utilities it is probably full

Remedial action are required Now.

Leaving the machine this condition, my cause the computer to boot up only in Safe Mode if at all

Did you empty the trash?

CL1970 wrote:

I have deleted hundreds of GBs, but it hasn't made any difference to the full storage. Am I missing something?

Yes. You also have to wait a couple of days.

Actual storage Used versus Free space ?

Perhaps a screen shot from Disk Utilities may shed some light on this

Upload the Screen Shot in reply

Use " Image Insertion " button