My MacBook Pro has 251 GB of hardrive, with only 4 and a bit still available. The Storage bar shows over 90 GB of System; is this normal? I've seen in other online discussions that part of this may be Time Machine snapshots. If that's correct, is there a way to dismantle this process?
MacBook Pro, macOS Sierra (10.12.6)
Not without disabling Time Machine. In theory, Time Machine will create local snapshots when a Time Machine destination drive is not available. Also, again in theory, Time Machine will delete the oldest of these backups when there is limited disk space on your notebook.
Ref: Time Machine local snapshots - Apple Support
However, you can delete these backups manually ... but be aware that this can sometimes cause problems.
Not without disabling Time Machine. In theory, Time Machine will create local snapshots when a Time Machine destination drive is not available. Also, again in theory, Time Machine will delete the oldest of these backups when there is limited disk space on your notebook.
Ref: Time Machine local snapshots - Apple Support
However, you can delete these backups manually ... but be aware that this can sometimes cause problems.
When you do "About this Mac" and select Storage" does it look like similar to this but instead showing a massive section labeled "Other?"
If so that could a fixable issue with your Spotlight indexing.
As for the the system size, my MBP with Sierra shows using 71GB for the System and it is a rather lean installation. Are you running any of the following:
1) anti-virus software
2) internet security software, especially product by Trusteer under the names "Rapport" or "EndPoint Protection."
3) Any software that claims to "clean, tune up, or optimize" your computer?
4) an "torrent" software
Does the amount used stay the same after a restart? If it changes you may have accumulated a lot of temp files that a restart flushes.
Sure. Apple designed Time Machine to use local snapshots only for their notebooks as they figured most folks would not have a dedicated Time Machine backup drive attached "permanently." These snapshots are intended to "fill the gap" between "normal" backups to these drives. By disabling these snapshots, it may be possible that the Time Machine backup history can get corrupted over time.
This, too, is very helpful. No, I don't have a bit "Other" section on the Storage bar. It's the System section that's largest, at just over 90 GBs. The only item on your list I'm using is anti-virus software, but that may be pushing me over the top. I've deleted some big programs (Adobe) and freed up about 20 GB that way. I'll look at the Time Machine possibilities. My only other option may be to install more storage.
Thanks, this is very helpful. Can you tell me what you mean when you say "this can sometimes cause problems"?
Makes sense. Thanks for the clarification.
Hardrive Full: space creation?
