How do I clear out System Storage?!

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I have had it with this.


My storage was at least 24 GB when I started the day, I download nothing, do nothing and THIS HAPPENS. HOW?!


But...more importantly, what am I supposed to do to clear all this out? What DO I clear out? Clearing out caches makes no difference, using external softwares does not help me (I am not spending anything BECAUSE I HAVE NOTHING TO SPEND (0 pocket money since childbirth to teen ****)) AND TRANFERRING HUGE FILES TO A DIFFERENT BACKUP MADE NO DIFFERENCE EITHER?!


What the **** do I do in this situation?! The most important application is the one taking up the most space. I moved projects that I didn't even look at anymore but still might need in the future. NOTHING. NO DIFFERENCE.


WHAT IS THIS?! WHAT DO I DO?! I AM DONE WITH THIS!

MacBook Air, Quicktime

Posted on Jul 28, 2018 8:46 AM

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3 replies

Jul 28, 2018 7:33 PM in response to Phoenix_SayoriMemelord

Depending on how these files were Copied (and tested for useful purpose,

from the newly created archive on external storage drive) you may then be

able to drag originals of your personal created works to Trash and delete.


Clearing caches is not effective because these small files are re-created

by the System in order to access those files. So 'cleaning apps' can fail

and often only damage file systems. These can remove important files &

create new problems.


Avoid system-owned and other applications you may need to run and use

the Mac; and those used by the system behind the scenes. If you remove

these then other and bigger troubles could follow.


If your computer has been associated with an dedicated external drive for use

with Time Machine application, that's good for recovery/restore of Mac system.


Apple OS X and Time Machine Tips - (from 2013 by J. Pond)

http://oldtoad.net/pondini.org/OSX/Home.html


A new backup with Time Machine could be glacial or super long to create, if

none were made before or not kept up. But may be as important as electricity.


To create and maintain several different types of system backups on separate

storage drives is always good. The kind of hard drive with its own power supply

is also good for use at home where portability is not an issue. Archival backups.

~ And should be of significant capacity to store much data. Often the larger unit

will have faster spin-rate rotational internal hard disk drives (7200-RPM & up)

and would be much larger than the internal hard drive's total capacity.


Storage drives can & do eventually fail. To attempt a budget for duplicate storage

and also time to learn and maintain them adequately is important part of digital use.


Perhaps another contributor may see your thread and offer an additional reply.


User uploaded file

Jul 29, 2018 7:13 PM in response to Phoenix_SayoriMemelord

Hello Phoenix_SayoriMemelord,

The problem is that you only had 12.5 GB free. That is simply not enough. A modern machine with an SSD can fill up that amount of storage in under one second. You do not want to completely run out of storage. It will be very difficult to recover from that. You will have to erase your hard drive most likely. And then you won't be able to restore from backup because you won't have enough space.


The relative percentages of system vs. document storage in that chart is wrong. This storage chart is notorious for being wrong. However, the total amount of storage free is correct and that is the part you need to worry about.

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

How do I clear out System Storage?!

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