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Level 2

344 points

How to delete the Other yellow section in Storage

I had about 190 GB of Other which suddenly appeared a while ago. I was able to control it a little through OmniDiskSweeper, OnyX and cleaning/optimizing for a while (I have a late 2011 MBP kept pretty clean and never had this Other stuff before). But still, despite the cleaning, I had about 180 GB and it never went any lower than that...

Then I realized I'd never (apart from OnyX telling me the disk status had to be fixed) repaired the HD/permissions. I thought it may be due to that, so I used the Disk Utily application to verify and repair both permission and HD, came out permissions were all messed up and the HD itself had issues too. As soon as it was repaired the Other was gone.

This is just to help all of those people who have been wondering/trying, with no success, to delete/reduce the Other section in their HD storage. Because I'd never read anywhere that the solution could be to just run Disk Utility. I don't know if it works for everyone, if I was just lucky, no idea... But it did the thing for me! I can finally transfer all of my audio back from the external mobile HD I was forced to purchase a while ago. 🙂

MacBook Pro, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.3)

Posted on Oct 10, 2013 2:56 PM

Best reply

campbell.andrews3

Level 1

5 points

Posted on Dec 15, 2013 2:05 AM

Dear applewarm,

I just wanted to tell you how much of a legend, god and genisus you are.

I have been searching for almost a year on how to fix this problem and this worked straight away...

Thank you so so so so much

Campbell

Ps, I only created this account so I could thank you. I will Facebook this to all my friends who have the same problem

Thanks again

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43 replies

May 24, 2015 3:30 AM in response to applewarm

Thank you. 😀

applewarm Author

Level 2

344 points

Jun 5, 2015 5:26 PM in response to hope2614

Aside from the Disk Diag App, did you run the native Disk Utility application? You mention a "disk doctor" and I don't know if you mean the Disk Utility or not. If not, run Disk Utility. If yes then I'm sorry to hear it didn't work for you, it usually goes away if the disk and the permissions are ok. Try running OnyX in the way described in the post below.

applewarm Author

Level 2

344 points

Jun 5, 2015 5:24 PM in response to cherryontop

Sorry to hear it didn't work for you... I wouldn't know if there's another specific 'cause to the Other being too large, aside from disk issues and permissions issues, and therefore another kind of solution that isn't Disk Utility. I can only think of running OnyX and rebuild the Spotlight index, that can also solve discrepancies and errors in calculating free space on your HD. I used this method as well in the past, to clean the Other section before "discovering" the Disk Utility fix. Try it, maybe it works. Make sure the Spotlight index box is checked as below:

Mgold23

Level 1

0 points

Jun 13, 2015 1:32 PM in response to applewarm

I figured out what my issue was which could be the same one others are having. I went into Library and then Application Support. There were folders from apps I had on a previous MacBook that were not on my current one so I deleted those folders. Before I deleted the folders I didn't need I had 176GB left of hard drive space. After I deleted everything, emptied the trash, and restarted my computer I had over 300gb available. Check that especially if you have had apps on your MB and no longer have them. Hope this helps.

applewarm Author

Level 2

344 points

Jul 3, 2015 2:24 PM in response to BrightonFlen

No problem! 🙂

applewarm Author

Level 2

344 points

Jul 3, 2015 2:29 PM in response to ptrrrrrck

You're welcome. 🙂

applewarm Author

Level 2

344 points

Jul 3, 2015 2:32 PM in response to Mgold23

Just to make sure I've just checked, but everything is clean in those folders.

My issue with Other in the past was all about the disk and the disk permissions, maintenance...let's just say.

But this could be very useful to others who happen to have old stuff taking up space in those folders, good of you to share! 😎

rocíofg

Level 1

0 points

Jul 8, 2015 3:57 PM in response to applewarm

It doesn't seem to work for me. I repaired both the Macintosh HD disk and the permissions, but only it took about 2 minutes and it didn't change anything. Besides, I tried to download OnyX but my Mac won't let me because it's from an "unknown developer". I don't know what else to do

applewarm Author

Level 2

344 points

Jul 11, 2015 9:46 AM in response to rocíofg

You've probably only verified permissions and disk, not repaired.

It takes a while if they repair, not 5 minutes at all!

That is if they need repaired in the first place...when verifying it might tell you everything is ok.

But if you do need to run repair, make sure to click the proper buttons! Your computer will become unresponsive for a while...

This should usually get rid of most of the Other, not always though.

Yours is probably due to something else, maybe...

OnYx does pretty much the same things, you don't need it if you run the native Disk Utility.

It won't let you download it because you've only allowed apps developed by Apple:

Make sure to allow apps downloaded from both Apple and other developers.

rocíofg

Level 1

0 points

Jul 15, 2015 12:19 PM in response to applewarm

Thanks for replying! The thing is that I verified and repaired, it's as if my Mac did't find anything wrong... Anyway, with only 4GB left of capacity I've given up: I'm making a back up and restoring my Mac to factory settings.

applewarm Author

Level 2

344 points

Jul 21, 2015 4:04 PM in response to rocíofg

Then the problem is something else, yes.

I hope that's the solution for you.

zreddy

Level 1

0 points

Nov 19, 2015 8:49 AM in response to applewarm

Hey I checked last week and i had over 90GB free and checked today and at first I had about 6GB free and dropping down to 3. I restarted the computer and was able to get up to 35 GB free but still not nearly as much as I had before. I tried going to the disk utility and repairing it the only thing it did is run like a test and then said it is done click done to continue then nothing happens. I don't know if I'm not doing it correctly or what is happening. If you could ensure me on the steps so I know if Im doing it correctly that would be appreciated

applewarm Author

Level 2

344 points

Nov 19, 2015 9:59 AM in response to zreddy

El Capitan had Disk Utility completely redesigned so it's a bit different from before.

Right now you can select the HD on the left and run the First Aid and it will by itself repair the disk only IF it's needed.

That means that your disk probably does not need repairing I suppose.

You can also run OnyX (version 3.1.1 if you're on the latest OS X) you can find it here.

It still does what Disk Utility used to do in separate ways as opposed to now.

You can verify and repair the disk, and verify and repair permissions.

Problems with disk and permissions CAN be the cause of an unusually big Other section but not ALWAYS. 🙂

KCKA1314

Level 1

0 points

Feb 29, 2016 6:59 PM in response to applewarm

Love u so much bro!! U just save my life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Super happy right now~

Mar 10, 2016 3:00 AM in response to applewarm

Hi applewarm, Thank you for all your advice.

I tried verifying and repairing disk and permissions that you mentioned and unfortunately didnt work.

Do you think it's worth for me to try Onyx ? (you say 'It still does what Disk Utility used to do in separate ways as opposed to now.')

I also tried rebuilding the Spotlight index as well and it worked (the yellow other was almost nothing) but then after I re-started my computer it all went back to before?

Any ideas or suggestions?? thank you

How to delete the Other yellow section in Storage