Q: After deleting files with the trash can, I have less memory. Why?

Hello,

I have a mid-2009 Macbook Pro with OS X Lion (10.7.5). I noticed that I was running dangerously low on memory, so I went on a deleting spree. After getting most of the files I wanted gone in the Trash, I emptied it and checked my available memory to find that I have less memory than what I had before I began deleting; my available memory went from ~42 GB to 40 GB. I know that I deleted tens of GBs worth of files, apps, etc.. What's going on? Is there a problem with my HD? Is there something that I'm missing or doing incorrectly?

Thank you for your time and patience.
~Incho

Posted on Jan 29, 2015 2:41 PM

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Q: After deleting files with the trash can, I have less memory. Why?

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by dominic23,

dominic23 Jan 29, 2015 3:27 PM in response to InchoSnail
Level 8 (42,122 points)

Mac OS X

Jan 29, 2015 3:27 PM in response to InchoSnail

   Re-index Macintosh HD.

   Spotlight reindexing will take a while to finish.

   System Preferences > Spotlight > Privacy

   http://support.apple.com/kb/ht2409

   You will see a new category “Other” in the Storage Display.

      About “Other”:

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

Note:
If you don’t have Macintosh HD icon on the desktop,

Finder > Preferences > General > Show these items on the desktop:

Enable “Hard disks”.
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by InchoSnail,

InchoSnail Jan 29, 2015 4:31 PM in response to dominic23
Level 1 (0 points)

Jan 29, 2015 4:31 PM in response to dominic23

Thank you for your reply.

When you say re-indexing will take "a while", approximately how long will it take to see a difference? At the very least, could I expect to see a change within 24 hours?

Thanks again.
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Q: After deleting files with the trash can, I have less memory. Why?

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by dominic23,

by InchoSnail,

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