papillondefer
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: How do I delete "Other" from my MacBook Pro?

Hi all,

 

I really hope you can help me.  I am looking to delete a degree of my "other" from my MacBook Pro.  I understand some % of other will remain to do with notes, contacts and alike, however as you can see from the picture attached it's taking up 31.33GB of other which is really frustrating.  I have tided up all my files, backed up to an external hard drive and deleted trash (all the simple things) it's still reading high.  I have no idea why my apps GB is high as its the standard Mac stuff I don't download apps to my laptop so a little unsure.  movies and audio I understand.

 

I am ok with computers however not fluent with some of the behind the scenes and terminology, so I would really welcome some advice/help with someone who can help but explain in laymen terms so I can get my head around it.  I have deleted out of date and old back ups to the laptop and kept the recent one and that reduced it by 2BG!!

 

I have tried a disk utility sweep but its all codes and files names which I have no idea what it means and don't want to delete something thats important.

 

Any help would be hugely appreciated.

 

Kind regards and merry christmas.

JoScreen Shot 2014-12-17 at 2.00.11 pm.jpg

MacBook Pro with Retina display, iOS 6.1.4

Posted on Dec 17, 2014 6:08 AM

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papillondefer

Q: How do I delete "Other" from my MacBook Pro?

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  • Helpful answers

  • by OGELTHORPE,

    OGELTHORPE OGELTHORPE Dec 17, 2014 6:27 AM in response to papillondefer
    Level 9 (52,812 points)
    Mac OS X
    Dec 17, 2014 6:27 AM in response to papillondefer

    Here is the definition of other:

     

    http://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202867

     

    What you can do is download from the Internet OmnoDiskSweeper and Grand Perspective (both free) and open them. They will show all of your files and the respective sizes.  You then can delete some or transfer them to an external HDD.  Do not forget to empty trash.

     

    Ciao.

  • by papillondefer,

    papillondefer papillondefer Dec 17, 2014 6:51 AM in response to OGELTHORPE
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 17, 2014 6:51 AM in response to OGELTHORPE

    Hi,

     

    Thanks for that.  I have done as you said, downloaded the OmnoDiskSweeper, however I have no idea how to use it.  I have just asked for a tutorial in google but it seems so complex.  I have attached a picture below just to make sure I am on the right program and whats its displaying.

     

    Screen Shot 2014-12-17 at 2.49.08 pm.jpg

  • by papillondefer,

    papillondefer papillondefer Dec 17, 2014 6:54 AM in response to OGELTHORPE
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 17, 2014 6:54 AM in response to OGELTHORPE

    And Grand Perspective won't open?????

     

     

    Screen Shot 2014-12-17 at 2.53.03 pm.jpg

  • by papillondefer,

    papillondefer papillondefer Dec 17, 2014 6:59 AM in response to papillondefer
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 17, 2014 6:59 AM in response to papillondefer

    I have managed to locate the Grand Perspective (I think) But still no idea what to do from here!! It looks so complex I'm scared to delete anything in case it ruins my Mac!

     

    Screen Shot 2014-12-17 at 2.57.57 pm.jpg

  • by OGELTHORPE,

    OGELTHORPE OGELTHORPE Dec 17, 2014 8:21 AM in response to papillondefer
    Level 9 (52,812 points)
    Mac OS X
    Dec 17, 2014 8:21 AM in response to papillondefer

    When you open OmniDiskSweeper, you should see a menu like this,

    Screen Shot 2014-12-17 at 11.05.30 AM.png

    Click on the gray HDD icon that represents your internal HDD, usually named Macintosh HD.

    You then should get a display such as this (it will take several minutes to complete)

    Screen Shot 2014-12-17 at 11.12.59 AM.png

    Click on the categories that exhibit the largest space used, usually USERS.  That will generate a new display in the next right hand column and keep doing that until you can start identifying individual files that may be candidates for transferal to an external HDD or deletion.

     

    In regards to Grand Perspective, try downloading it from here:

     

    http://grandperspectiv.sourceforge.net/

     

    Ciao.

  • by papillondefer,

    papillondefer papillondefer Dec 18, 2014 5:45 AM in response to papillondefer
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 18, 2014 5:45 AM in response to papillondefer

    Hi,

     

    You are a gem. I will give this a go over the weekend once I have time to concentrate and get my head around it!  Thanks so much for your help and time it's greatly appreciated.  Once I have had a crack at it I will tick the resolved so you get your points

     

    Thanks again

     

    Jo