Q: I can't find files that are taking up hard drive space

Try downloading and installing OmniDiskSweeper and see what it says in the way of files and folders that using disk space.

You did back everything up before you started this project?

Search for the files using the method listed under -

Locate large files

OS X Mavericks: Increase disk space

Hi Christine:

Here is a video on how to use OmniDiskSweeper.

OmniDiskSweeper will sort your files by size and show you where they are located. See the following video on OmniDiskSweeper. Using OmniDiskSweeper

Kim

So when you say you have looked everywhere;

1. define everywhere

2. how did you search?  Did oyu actually go to your /users/you directory and begin looking at folder sizes and progressively dig into large ones?

Its old fashioned and tedious, but anything else is subject to errors, IMNSHO.

Grant

Have you tried using Finder and going to: Your Home Directory > Pictures

If you are looking under About My Mac > Storage, that is where it puts your pictures.

Hard drive space and ‘Other’:

https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT202867

Also, try to rebuild the Spotlight index: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201716

if you cant find large folders in the finder - then they are not there.  You seem to know how to look - i'd be more comfortable if you had come back with all the folder sizes in your home directory though....

How about something like dropbox - which could be located elsewhere (mine is in root)