Some Macbook owners struggle with hard drive space because the computer does not provide that much storage in the first place. Tending to hoard files does not help either.
If you are stuck with just a few gigabytes of free space, you are bound to encounter Macbook performance issues. It will take longer for your computer and applications to load, or video games may drop frames and stutter.
You do not want to end up in such a situation. That is why it is necessary to have at least 15% of the total drive storage free.
Other Mac owners do not have problems with the drive space, meaning that fixing the issue is not out of the realm of impossibilities. Memorize these steps and tools mentioned in the article below and create a Macbook data management strategy.
Remember to Remove Data Permanently
Before you begin, it is necessary to remember that dragging files into the Trash Bin app is not the same as removing them from the Macbook permanently. No, if you put files in the Bin, they will remain there.
To permanently delete data from the computer, you need to empty the Trash Bin each time you put a file there. Or, at the very least, enable the feature that removes files in the Bin automatically after 30 days.
If you do not want to bother with the Trash Bin, use a keyboard shortcut. Select a file or files you want to get rid of and hit Option + Command + Delete. Confirm the pop-up to remove unnecessary files from the Macbook.
Check for Potential Computer Viruses
Given the variety of computer malware, it is no surprise to see cybersecurity threats that eat a computer’s drive space. It is easy to miss an insignificant virus or malware, particularly if you lack reliable antivirus software.
In case you notice that there is less free storage on the Macbook’s disk each time you look at it, and you have not installed or downloaded any files, scanning the system for potential malware should take priority.
If a scan finds no infected files, the problem lies elsewhere. However, if there are corrupted files on the system, do not hesitate and remove them immediately.
As a rule of thumb, reliable antivirus software should locate and eliminate threats before they manifest in the computer. If your current antivirus failed to detect malware, you need to find software that does the job properly.
Get Rid of Unnecessary Files
Check your Macbook for files that you could delete. The number of these files should be quite big if you are missing enough free disk space.
For starters, look at your application list. There should be at least one or two apps you have not used for a while. Deleting them is not an issue. After all, if you need to use an app in the future, you can download and install it again.
In addition to removing applications themselves, do not forget about the temporary junk data that they accumulate. Plugins, extensions, and other junk are also a problem. You need to get rid of it – either manually or by installing a cleanup utility tool that removes unwanted files for you.
Once you finish cleaning the application list, check email attachments and downloads. The folders for these file types can grow quite fast as well, and you may be surprised to see how many files are in the folders.
Transfer Data to External Storage
The data management strategy does not have to revolve around removing files from the computer permanently. You can take advantage of external storage and transfer some of your data there.
Cloud services are one of the first things that stick out the most. Dropbox and iCloud are the go-to options as far as popularity goes, especially among Macbook owners.
Clouds offer a few gigabytes of storage for free. However, if you are happy with the services, you can upgrade your plan for additional space by paying a monthly fee.
Besides clouds, you could also buy an external hard drive or a memory stick. These accessories are relatively cheap, and you can get them for an even lower price if you wait for the holiday season when computer components go on a sale.
Subscribe to Streaming Sites
You do not need to keep large media files on the computer to consume them. Thanks to streaming platforms, your favorite TV shows, movies, and music tracks are available with just a few clicks.
Instead of downloading and having a huge backlog of stuff you want to watch or listen to sometime in the future, stick to streaming services and not worry about cluttering your Macbook’s hard drive with media files.