iMac going slow after not using it for awhile

Question

HiI just recently started reusing my iMac again after not having turned it on for like 6 months and its been operating kinda slow and lagging. Whereas before it was super quick.I ran EtreCheck and these were my results:EtreCheck version: 3.1.4 (342)Report generated 2016-12-05 11:13:28Download EtreCheck from https://etrecheck.comRuntime 5:17Performance: Below AverageClick the [Support] links for help with non-Apple products.Click the [Details] links for more information about that line.Problem: Computer is too slowHardware Information:ⓘ    iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2013)     [Technical Specifications] - [User Guide] - [Warranty &amp; Service]    iMac - model: iMac14,3    1 2.9 GHz Intel Core i5 (i5-4570S) CPU: 4-core    8 GB RAM Upgradeable - [Instructions]        BANK 0/DIMM0            4 GB DDR3 1600 MHz ok        BANK 1/DIMM0            4 GB DDR3 1600 MHz ok    Bluetooth: Good - Handoff/Airdrop2 supported    Wireless:  en1: 802.11 a/b/g/n/acVideo Information:ⓘ    NVIDIA GeForce GT 750M - VRAM: 1024 MB        iMac 1920 x 1080System Software:ⓘ    macOS Sierra  10.12.1 (16B2657) - Time since boot: about 2 days Disk Information:ⓘ    APPLE HDD HTS541010A9E662 disk0 : (1 TB) (Rotational)    [Show SMART report]        EFI (disk0s1) &lt;not mounted&gt; : 210 MB         Macintosh HD (disk0s2) /  [Startup]: 999.35 GB (897.52 GB free)        Recovery HD (disk0s3) &lt;not mounted&gt;  [Recovery]: 650 MB USB Information:ⓘ    Western Digital My Passport 2599     Apple Inc. BRCM20702 Hub         Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller     Apple Inc. FaceTime HD Camera (Built-in) Thunderbolt Information:ⓘ    Apple Inc. thunderbolt_busGatekeeper:ⓘ    Mac App Store and identified developersKernel Extensions:ⓘ        /Applications/Identity Cloaker/utils/IdcTunnelblick.app    [not loaded]    net.tunnelblick.tap (20111101 (Tunnelblick build 3516) - 2016-12-02) [Support]    [not loaded]    net.tunnelblick.tun (20111101 (Tunnelblick build 3516) - 2016-12-02) [Support]Startup Items:ⓘ    Privoxy: Path: /Library/StartupItems/Privoxy    Startup items no longer function in OS X Yosemite or laterSystem Launch Agents:ⓘ    [not loaded]    7 Apple tasks    [loaded]    168 Apple tasks    [running]    104 Apple tasksSystem Launch Daemons:ⓘ    [not loaded]    41 Apple tasks    [loaded]    164 Apple tasks    [running]    107 Apple tasksLaunch Agents:ⓘ    [loaded]    com.oracle.java.Java-Updater.plist (2016-12-02) [Support]Launch Daemons:ⓘ    [loaded]    com.adobe.fpsaud.plist (2016-10-25) [Support]    [loaded]    com.macpaw.CleanMyMac2.Agent.plist (2015-03-13) [Support]    [loaded]    com.macpaw.CleanMyMac3.Agent.plist (2016-11-30) [Support]    [loaded]    com.microsoft.office.licensing.helper.plist (2014-11-17) [Support]    [loaded]    com.oracle.java.Helper-Tool.plist (2015-10-06) [Support]    [running]    com.tfr.idc_daemon.plist (2014-09-22) [Support]    [failed]    com.tfr.idc_privoxy.plist (2014-10-29) [Support]User Launch Agents:ⓘ    [running]    com.amazon.music.plist (2016-12-02) [Support]    [loaded]    com.macpaw.CleanMyMac3.Scheduler.plist (2016-12-02)    [running]    com.spotify.webhelper.plist (2016-12-05) [Support]User Login Items:ⓘ    Dropbox    Application          (/Applications/Dropbox.app)    CleanMyMac 3 Menu    Application   (2016-12-02)        (/Applications/CleanMyMac 3.app/Contents/MacOS/CleanMyMac 3 Menu.app)Internet Plug-ins:ⓘ    FlashPlayer-10.6: 23.0.0.207 - SDK 10.9 (2016-12-02) [Support]    QuickTime Plugin: 7.7.3 (2016-10-21)    Flash Player: 23.0.0.207 - SDK 10.9 (2016-12-02) [Support]    JavaAppletPlugin: Java 8 Update 65 build 17 (2016-12-02) Check version    SharePointBrowserPlugin: 14.7.0 - SDK 10.6 (2016-11-30) [Support]User internet Plug-ins:ⓘ    Dashlane: Dashlane 1.0.0 - SDK 10.10 (2014-12-15) [Support]3rd Party Preference Panes:ⓘ    Flash Player (2016-10-25) [Support]    Java (2016-12-02) [Support]Time Machine:ⓘ    Auto backup: YES    Volumes being backed up:        Macintosh HD: Disk size: 999.35 GB Disk used: 101.83 GB    Destinations:        Time Machine Backups [Local]         Total size: 499.76 GB         Total number of backups: 16         Oldest backup: 9/9/15, 4:22 PM         Last backup: 3/22/16, 12:15 PM         Size of backup disk: Adequate            Backup size 499.76 GB &gt; (Disk used 101.83 GB X 3)Top Processes by CPU:ⓘ        15%   kernel_task        11%   WindowServer         3%   Messages         2%   Spotify         2%   coreaudiodTop Processes by Memory:ⓘ    1.37 GB   com.apple.WebKit.WebContent(8)    885 MB    kernel_task    532 MB    Mail    221 MB    Messages    221 MB    Slack Helper(3)Virtual Memory Information:ⓘ    1.49 GB   Available RAM    18 MB     Free RAM    6.51 GB   Used RAM    1.47 GB   Cached files    53 MB     Swap UsedDiagnostics Information:ⓘ    Dec 2, 2016, 10:53:57 PM    /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Mail_2016-12-02-225357_[redacted].cpu_resource. diag [Details]        /Applications/Mail.app/Contents/MacOS/Mail    Dec 2, 2016, 09:47:24 PM    Self test - passed

Carolyn Samit · Answer

Uninstall CleanMyMac.Third party cleaning utilities are unnecessary on a Mac and can slow the drive down considerably.http://macpaw.com/support/cleanmymac2/knowledgebase/how-to-uninstall-cleanmymac- 2Spoitify can also slow your Mac down.

Kappy · Answer

Uninstall CleanMyMac. You don&#x27;t need it slowing down the computer.Uninstall or quit running Spotify. It would appear that Tunnelblick may not be running properly. For the time being I would delete the two kernel extensions. Remove Privoxy from the StartupItems folder.Restart the computer and see how things are going.Kernel Extensions: ⓘ        /Applications/Identity Cloaker/utils/IdcTunnelblick.app    [not loaded]    net.tunnelblick.tap (20111101 (Tunnelblick build 3516) - 2016-12-02) [Support]    [not loaded]    net.tunnelblick.tun (20111101 (Tunnelblick build 3516) - 2016-12-02) [Support]Startup Items: ⓘ    Privoxy: Path: /Library/StartupItems/Privoxy    Startup items no longer function in OS X Yosemite or laterWays to help make a slow Mac faster17 Reasons Why Your Mac Runs Slower Than it ShouldSlow Mac Performance? This Article Solves It!Fix slow start-ups in OS X | MacFixIt - CNET ReviewsHow to fix slow shutdown and startup times. | MacTip.net6 Easy Tips to Speed Up OS X Yosemite on Your MacOS X El Capitan- If your Mac runs slowlyVisit The XLab FAQs and read the FAQ on PerformanceTips to Fix Issues that affect Mac PerformanceAvoid using any third-party cleanup software. Usually, this software does more bad than good. You don&#x27;t need it. All computers become slower over time even under normal use. Experienced users erase the hard drive and do a clean install from scratch from time to time; or whenever installing a major OS upgrade. Doing so means you must maintain regular and multiple backups.Add more RAM or cut back on the number of concurrently running applications and utilities. Remove unnecessary anti-malware software and any software that promises to clean your Mac. Check for runaway processes: Runaway applications can shorten battery runtime, affect performance, and increase heat and fan activity. Also, visit The XLab FAQs and read the FAQ on dealing with The Spinning Beach Ball of Death.The Ultimate FixBackup everything, erase the drive, reinstall OS X, and restore your data from the backup. Reinstall third-party software from original media/scratch.

KPWKPWKPW · Answer

If i want to keep using spotify do i just need to live with it or are there other things i can do so my computer is running quick while using spotify? its weird cos i used to always use spotify and my computer was quick. thanks!

KPWKPWKPW · Answer

tHANKS SO MUCH! really appreciate it. i might upgrade my RAM. that makes it faster too right?also how do i "delete the two kernel extensions"?

KPWKPWKPW · Answer

Updated EtreCheck after doing some of the suggestions.I don&#x27;t know how to remove Privoxy thoughAlso i trashed CleanMyMac but its still showing on here.EtreCheck version: 3.1.4 (342)Report generated 2016-12-05 12:07:44Download EtreCheck from https://etrecheck.comRuntime 4:13Performance: GoodClick the [Support] links for help with non-Apple products.Click the [Details] links for more information about that line.Problem: Computer is too slowHardware Information:ⓘ    iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2013)     [Technical Specifications] - [User Guide] - [Warranty &amp; Service]    iMac - model: iMac14,3    1 2.9 GHz Intel Core i5 (i5-4570S) CPU: 4-core    8 GB RAM Upgradeable - [Instructions]        BANK 0/DIMM0            4 GB DDR3 1600 MHz ok        BANK 1/DIMM0            4 GB DDR3 1600 MHz ok    Bluetooth: Good - Handoff/Airdrop2 supported    Wireless:  en1: 802.11 a/b/g/n/acVideo Information:ⓘ    NVIDIA GeForce GT 750M - VRAM: 1024 MB        iMac 1920 x 1080System Software:ⓘ    macOS Sierra  10.12.1 (16B2657) - Time since boot: less than an hourDisk Information:ⓘ    APPLE HDD HTS541010A9E662 disk0 : (1 TB) (Rotational)    [Show SMART report]        EFI (disk0s1) &lt;not mounted&gt; : 210 MB         Macintosh HD (disk0s2) /  [Startup]: 999.35 GB (897.45 GB free)        Recovery HD (disk0s3) &lt;not mounted&gt;  [Recovery]: 650 MB USB Information:ⓘ    Western Digital My Passport 2599     Apple Inc. BRCM20702 Hub         Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller     Apple Inc. FaceTime HD Camera (Built-in) Thunderbolt Information:ⓘ    Apple Inc. thunderbolt_busGatekeeper:ⓘ    Mac App Store and identified developersStartup Items:ⓘ    Privoxy: Path: /Library/StartupItems/Privoxy    Startup items no longer function in OS X Yosemite or laterSystem Launch Agents:ⓘ    [not loaded]    7 Apple tasks    [loaded]    177 Apple tasks    [running]    95 Apple tasksSystem Launch Daemons:ⓘ    [not loaded]    41 Apple tasks    [loaded]    168 Apple tasks    [running]    103 Apple tasksLaunch Agents:ⓘ    [loaded]    com.oracle.java.Java-Updater.plist (2016-12-02) [Support]Launch Daemons:ⓘ    [loaded]    com.adobe.fpsaud.plist (2016-10-25) [Support]    [loaded]    com.macpaw.CleanMyMac2.Agent.plist (2015-03-13) [Support] - /Library/PrivilegedHelperTools/com.macpaw.CleanMyMac2.Agent: Executable not found!    [loaded]    com.macpaw.CleanMyMac3.Agent.plist (2016-11-30) [Support]    [loaded]    com.microsoft.office.licensing.helper.plist (2014-11-17) [Support]    [loaded]    com.oracle.java.Helper-Tool.plist (2015-10-06) [Support]    [running]    com.tfr.idc_daemon.plist (2014-09-22) [Support]    [failed]    com.tfr.idc_privoxy.plist (2014-10-29) [Support]User Launch Agents:ⓘ    [loaded]    com.macpaw.CleanMyMac3.Scheduler.plist (2016-12-05)    [running]    com.spotify.webhelper.plist (2016-12-05) [Support]User Login Items:ⓘ    Dropbox    Application          (/Applications/Dropbox.app)Internet Plug-ins:ⓘ    FlashPlayer-10.6: 23.0.0.207 - SDK 10.9 (2016-12-02) [Support]    QuickTime Plugin: 7.7.3 (2016-10-21)    Flash Player: 23.0.0.207 - SDK 10.9 (2016-12-02) [Support]    JavaAppletPlugin: Java 8 Update 65 build 17 (2016-12-02) Check version    SharePointBrowserPlugin: 14.7.0 - SDK 10.6 (2016-11-30) [Support]User internet Plug-ins:ⓘ    Dashlane: Dashlane 1.0.0 - SDK 10.10 (2014-12-15) [Support]3rd Party Preference Panes:ⓘ    Flash Player (2016-10-25) [Support]    Java (2016-12-02) [Support]Time Machine:ⓘ    Auto backup: YES    Volumes being backed up:        Macintosh HD: Disk size: 999.35 GB Disk used: 101.90 GB    Destinations:        Time Machine Backups [Local]         Total size: 499.76 GB         Total number of backups: 16         Oldest backup: 9/9/15, 4:22 PM         Last backup: 3/22/16, 12:15 PM         Size of backup disk: Adequate            Backup size 499.76 GB &gt; (Disk used 101.90 GB X 3)Top Processes by CPU:ⓘ        19%   OSDUIHelper        10%   suggestd         9%   mdworker(7)         4%   WindowServer         4%   MailTop Processes by Memory:ⓘ    770 MB    Mail    707 MB    kernel_task    418 MB    com.apple.WebKit.WebContent(9)    172 MB    Dropbox    115 MB    mds_storesVirtual Memory Information:ⓘ    3.84 GB   Available RAM    1.24 GB   Free RAM    4.16 GB   Used RAM    2.60 GB   Cached files    0 B       Swap UsedDiagnostics Information:ⓘ    Dec 5, 2016, 11:59:15 AM    Self test - passed    Dec 2, 2016, 10:53:57 PM    /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Mail_2016-12-02-225357_[redacted].cpu_resource. diag [Details]        /Applications/Mail.app/Contents/MacOS/Mail

Kappy · Answer

No, more RAM doesn&#x27;t make it faster, but it can improve performance by helping not running low on memory when needed. You can use Spotify, but removing it will help determine if it is part of the problem.Locate the extensions (check /System/Library/Extensions/ folder,) select them and CTRL- or RIGHT-click. Click on the Move to Trash option from the context menu.

Kappy · Answer

You need to deal with what is reported in red. Removing Privoxy and uninstalling Clean My Mac.

KPWKPWKPW · Answer

Its weird when i went to that folder i didn&#x27;t see any of those extensions?

Kappy · Answer

Basics for Uninstalling SoftwareMost OS X applications are completely self-contained "packages" that can be uninstalled by simply dragging the application to the Trash.  Applications may create preference files that are stored in the /Home/Library/Preferences/ folder.  Although they do nothing once you delete the associated application, they do take up some disk space.  If you want you can look for them at the above location and delete them, too.Some applications may install an uninstaller program that can be used to remove the application. If you cannot find the uninstaller then you could download the freeware, Easy Find, to locate files that need to be removed. The places you need to search include:/Home/Library/Applications Support/ folder. Check if the application has created a folder then delete the folder that&#x27;s in the Applications Support folder.  Applications may install startup items or a LogIn Item.  Startup items are usually installed in the /Library/StartupItems/ folder or the /Home/Library/StartupItems/ folder.  LogIn Items are set in the Users &amp; Groups preferences.  Open it in System Preferences, then click on the LogIn Items tab.  Select the item from the list and click on the Delete [-] button to remove it.Some software use startup daemons or agents.  Look for them in /Library/LaunchAgents/ and /Library/LaunchDaemons/ or in /Home/Library/LaunchAgents/.Some applications install a receipt in the /Library/Receipts/ folder.  Usually with the same name as the program or the developer.  The item generally has a ".pkg" extension.  Be sure you also delete this item as some programs use it to determine if it&#x27;s already installed.There are many utilities that can uninstall applications.  Here is a selection:AppZapperAppDeleteHazelAppCleanerCleanAppiTrashAppBolishAppUninstallerUninstallerFor more information visit The XLab FAQs and read the FAQ on removing software.