I have a Macbook Pro running macOS Sierra. I took some time cleaning out my computer by moving files to an external hard drive, but I can't seem to figure out why system is taking up so much space (459.41GB). Strangely every time I turn my Mac back on it seems as if the system storage keeps increasing! What can I do to fix this?
MacBook Pro, macOS Sierra (10.12.2)
If your HDD is full, you will have to off load data onto an external HDD, Do not forget to empty TRASH. Only then is space allocated for new data. If you have difficulty accessing the HDD, try a safe boot:
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201262
OmniDiskSweeper and Grand Perspective will be able to show what files you have on your HDD.
Ciao.
A Spotlight rebuild will not always solve this problem (A bug in the program that generates this display). Should that prove to be the case with your Mac, download from the Internet OmniDiskSweeper and Grand Perspective (both free) and open them. They will show all of your files and the respective sizes.
https://www.omnigroup.com/more
http://grandperspectiv.sourceforge.net/
Ciao.
I've tried downloading OmniDiskSweeper but I keep getting a "failed to download" error. I suspect this is because my Mac is almost out of storage?
What exactly falls under "system" storage? I moved majority of my files/photos and I don't store any movies or music so I don't understand what is going on.
Hi,
That storage reporter has been glitchy for awhile. I suspect it still is on Sierra. Sometimes rebuilding the Spotlight index will resolve things: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201716
Unfortunately I tried rebuilding the spotlight index and nothing seems to change.
Why is "system" taking up 459.41 GB on my Mac?
