System taking up LOTS of storage

I know there are other posts that address something like this.

Apple replaced the crashing logic board in my Macbook Pro (High Sierra 10.13.3), so I had to install a back-up using Migration Assistant from my Time Capsule. Given the choices available I started with my user profile, which was something like 22 GB. The result was that the System took 192 of 250 GB. (attached)User uploaded file


I read “How to rebuild the Spotlight index on your Mac” which seemed appropriate to the problem: https://support.apple.com/en-ca/HT201716 but that did not do anything. So I ended up at the Genius Bar, where a guy ran Disk Inventory X. It produced this result which confirmed that in fact the System was NOT using 192 GB of storage. (attached)

User uploaded file


But he told me that I needed to return WITH the Time Capsule so that my user profile could be migrated from the Time Capsule to the Macbook in order to correct the problem. I also read here: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/8130506?language=en that I should wipe the Macbook and restore data only…using Migration Assistant? Or Time Machine? So I have another Genius Bar appointment next week. Does this make sense? I wonder if I can do this myself, but haven’t figured out the right way to do it. Since I’ve also done a LOT of work to reinstall a bunch of programs and other files I’ve needed since having the logic board replaced, I really don’t want to again lose everything; so I will back-up the current configuration to the Time Capsule as a separate back-up. Any suggestions appreciated.

MacBook Pro, iOS 9.3.2

Posted on Feb 8, 2018 8:22 PM

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Feb 8, 2018 8:43 PM in response to dgoldfarb1

Get Correct Storage Information


Do not use the information from the Storage section of the About This Mac dialog. Ignore the Storage information as it is typically wrong. To find out the correct information for any disk: Select a Desktop disk icon. Press Command-I to open the Get Info window and look at the topmost panel displayed. You will find the disk information displayed for Capacity, Available, and Used. If you have more than one disk/partition then repeat for each one on your Desktop.


Possible Fixes for El Capitan or Later

You should try each, one at a time, then test to see if the problem is fixed before going on to the next.


Be sure to backup your files before proceeding if possible.


  1. Shutdown the computer, wait 30 seconds, restart the computer.
  2. Disconnect all third-party peripherals and remove any support software like drivers and plug-ins.
  3. Resetting your Mac’s PRAM and NVRAM
  4. Reset the System Management Controller (SMC)
  5. Start the computer in Safe Mode, then restart normally. This is slower than a standard startup.
  6. Repair the disk by booting from the Recovery HD. Immediately after the chime hold down the Command and R keys until the Utility Menu appears. Choose Disk Utility and click on the Continue button. Select the indented (usually, Macintosh HD) volume entry from the side list. Click on the First Aid button in the toolbar. Wait for the Done button to appear. Quit Disk Utility and return to the Utility Menu. Restart the computer from the Apple Menu.
  7. Create a New User Account Open Users & Groups preferences. Click on the lock icon and enter your Admin password when prompted. On the left under Current User click on the Add [+] button under Login Options. Setup a new Admin user account. Upon completion log out of your current account then log into the new account. If your problems cease, then consider switching to the new account and transferring your files to it - Transferring files from one User Account to another.
  8. Download and install the OS X El Capitan 10.11.6 Combo Update or 10.12.6 Combo Update or Download macOS High Sierra 10.13.3 Combo Update as needed.
  9. Reinstall OS X by booting from the Recovery HD using the Command and R keys. When the Utility Menu appears select Reinstall OS X then click on the Continue button.
  10. Erase and Install OS X Restart the computer. Immediately after the chime hold down the Command and R keys until the Apple logo appears. When the Utility Menu appears:
  1. Select Disk Utility from the Utility Menu and click on Continue button.
  2. When Disk Utility loads select the drive (out-dented entry) from the Device list.
  3. Click on the Erase icon in Disk Utility's toolbar. A panel will drop down.
  4. Set the Format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.)
  5. Click on the Apply button, then wait for the Done button to activate and click on it.
  6. Quit Disk Utility and return to the Utility Menu.
  7. Select Reinstall OS X and click on the Continue button.

Feb 10, 2018 8:52 AM in response to dgoldfarb1

You are definitely low on disk space. Probably time to do some cleanup.


How to Free Up Space on The Hard Drive


  1. You can remove data from your Home folder except for the /Home/Library/ folder.
  2. Visit The XLab FAQs and read the FAQ on freeing up space on your hard drive.
  3. Also, see Freeing space on your Mac OS X startup disk.
  4. Free up storage space on your Mac.
  5. See Where did my Disk Space go?.
  6. Be sure to Empty the Trash to recover the space.
  7. Replace the drive with a larger one. Check out OWC for drives, tutorials, and toolkits.
  8. Use OmniDiskSweeper or GrandPerspective to search your drive for large files and where they are located.

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System taking up LOTS of storage

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