Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Level 1

17 points

iMac suddenly running slow?

Over the last few days my iMac has started running really slow. The whirling disk appears after not even five minutes and its just taking a long time to do anything. I am running macOS Sierra version 10.12.6. It will be something simple but its getting to point now where i struggle to do anything without waiting an age for it. I've deleted a lot of stuff and i mean like thousands of files but it doesn't seem to have made a difference I have been reading up and do i need to download mac high sierra? or something like mackeeper to clean it up? Also how do i change my startup options as i have been reading that can slow your mac down?

Any advice appreciated have been a mac user for years and never had an issue which makes me think it will be something straightforward.

Thanks

Posted on Dec 11, 2017 11:44 AM

Best reply

Drew Reece

Level 6

10,660 points

Posted on Dec 11, 2017 12:10 PM

Mackeeper should be avoided as should any application that claims to 'clean' your Mac. Frankly most of those apps are selling snake oil. Those apps can also manipulate your system to make it look like it is doing something when it isn't, like finding thousands of 'issues' on a scan that it claims it can remedy after you buy the app.

If you want to show us what is installed on your Mac post an Etrecheck report. That can list all the installed applications & help highlight issues. It also lists the spec which allows us to work out if the Mac should work OK with the OS etc.

http://etrecheck.com/ <- This app was created to help with posts on these forums

Some other options are…

Set the startup disk under System Preferences > Startup disk. That can cause a slower startup but will not cause the slow OS you describe.
Test by removing ALL third party devices & only use the Apple mouse & keyboard to see if you have issues with some external hardware.
Repair the HD in recovery mode - it may not do much but it shouldn't hurt & can highlight issues. Use Disk Utility & the first aid tab. https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201314
Try booting in safe mode to see if the issue goes away - bear in mind that many Apple extensions are disabled so some graphics & other features may not work well, just test as much as possible. Use safe mode to isolate issues with your Mac - Apple Support
Login with another user account to see if the issue is just in your own user account settings.

If you do these tests please number the results as above.

View in context

17 replies