Start up disc full - How to ferret out unnecessary files

Question

Start up disc full - How to ferret out unnecessary files

Been getting the start up disc full warning, deleted some old audio files, kept going...

Then went to update to Yosemite and didn't have the room! I have a slim folder with my docs and files in it, and very very little photos and music -- see below.

The flash storage is comprised as follows:

~100 GB "other" This is the majority of my data. What is this, and how can I seek it ?

~ 5 GB audio

~2GB apps

~309 MB pics

Seeking direction for best option to obtain more room:

Much appreciated !

MacBook Air

Posted on May 7, 2015 12:11 AM

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Answer 1

dominic23

Level 10

83,904 points

May 7, 2015 2:14 AM in response to sydneysandiego

About “Other”:

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

Go step by step and check.

1. Start up in Safe Mode.

http://support.apple.com/kb/PH11212

2. Backup your computer.

3. Empty Trash.

http://support.apple.com/kb/PH13806

4. Disk space / Time Machine / Local Snapshots

Local backups

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4878

5. Delete old iOS Devices Backup.

iTunes > Preferences > Devices

Highlight the old Backups , press “Delete Backup” and then “OK”.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4946?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US

6. Re-index Macintosh HD.

This will take a while. Wait until it is finished.

System Preferences > Spotlight > Privacy

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

7.Try OmniDiskSweeper. This will show the storage size details of the items.

https://www.omnigroup.com/more

Select Macintosh HD and click “Sweep Selected Drive” at the bottom.

Be careful. Delete only the files that can be safely deleted. If you are not sure about any file, don’t touch it.

8. Move iTunes, iPhoto and iMovie media folders to an external drive.

iTunes

http://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201562

iPhoto

http://support.apple.com/kb/PH2506

iMovie

http://support.apple.com/kb/ph2289

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