2009 iMac running High Sierra. Moved all media to an external drive to prepare for moving to new Mac with SSD. Finder reports 850GB of free space on Mac HD. However, my user folder shows it is 580GB used. This is inconsistent. Why would finder be reporting such difference sizes for folders ? Which is correct ? It’s critical for me before I get a new Mac to know I have the room for an SSD.
Thanks.
iMac, macOS Sierra (10.12.3)
thanks but that is the weirdest part
I had close to 900GB used on the drive
I then moved all of the iTunes, Video and Photos folders off the HD onto an external drive
Once I did this Finder showed a large drop in used space
However, the USER folder is showing a HUGE use. I have drilled down and even revealed hidden folders but I don't see 550 GB of storage
How large is the drive in question ?
Are you getting this information from the Storage tab of "about this Mac" or from the finder shortcut or from the terminal?
I'm looking on my end and I can't tell you it's spot on either
The drive is 1TB. Finder, when I click on Mac HD, says 850 GB free. However, when I click into the folders the User folder says it is using 580GB - since both are on the Mac HD there is something weird. It is over 300GB of missing space
Storage on Mac is the same
the CMD+i (RMB>Get Info) on the root folder is probably the most accurate assessment of the actual folder size and will include the number of items, you can also "drill down" specific folders to see if one folder is especially large. I tend to look at my iTunes and photos folders as the main culprits.
Size difference bet Mac HD and User folder
