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Mac is undoubtedly one of the most popular operating systems worldwide, best known for its stability, performance and user-friendliness. However, users may experience frustration when an update notification pops up on the screen, or a new application fails to install due to lack of disk space. In this article, we will present practical advice on “How to make space for update on Mac” to avoid any potential disruption to your routine usage.
Video Tutorial:
The Challenge of Making Space for Update on Mac
It is essential to understand that updates and applications require storage space on your Mac. Inadequate space leads to problems like slow performance, application crashes, and more frustratingly, the inability to install the latest updates or apps. Therefore, one of the most significant challenges that Mac users face is knowing how to create ample storage space on their devices to make updates feasible.
Things You Should Prepare For
1. Time: Depending on your computer’s storage level and processing speed, freeing up space on your Mac can be time-consuming.
2. Backup: Before undertaking any steps to create storage space, it is a crucial step to backup essential data and files to avoid losing them.
3. Trash: It is necessary to empty your trash frequently as anything that you delete goes into the trash folder and doesn’t free up disk space until emptied.
4. Uninstall unnecessary applications: Uninstalling the applications you no longer need is an easy way to create more storage space.
Method 1: Using the Built-in Tool – Mac’s Optimized Storage
The Mac’s Optimized Storage gives helpful suggestions for freeing up space as it locates all the files that are taking up space on your hard drive and then suggests which files to delete or transfer to the iCloud Drive. Here are the steps on how to use the built-in tool:
1. Click on the Apple Logo on the left corner of your screen.
2. Select ‘About this Mac’ from the drop-down list.
3. From there, click on the ‘Storage’ tab.
4. Tap the ‘Manage’ button.
5. A device report will be presented showing what is taking up space on your hard drive and how much.
6. Review and remove any large files occupying space and redundant files which are not required.
7. At last, click on the ‘Delete’ button to clear the files.
Pros:
– Built-in and free tool
– Quick and Easy
– You can choose the files that need removing
Cons:
– Limited functionality compared to third party applications
– Can’t customize cleaning options
Method 2: Using Third-Party Software – CleanMyMac X
CleanMyMac X is a top-rated cleaning software that helps you to clean your Mac, remove outdated caches, or uninstall programs with one click. Follow these steps to free up space using CleanMyMac X:
1. Download and install CleanMyMac X.
2. Launch the software, select “Smart Scan” from the menu, and allow the software to scan for any potential threats.
3. Review the scan result and click on “Clean” to clear the files.
Pros:
– Fast, efficient and user-friendly
– Ability to customize disk cleaning options
– Provides malware removal and performance boost features
Cons:
– Comes with a price
– Proactively suggests more significant cleaning actions that could be harmful.
Method 3: Manually Removing Large Files And Redundant Files
Locating and removing large files and unused or duplicate files is a simple way to free up storage space on your Mac. Here are the steps on how to do it:
1. Click on the Finder icon in the Dock.
2. Click on ‘All My Files’ in the left-hand bar to display all files and folders on your Mac.
3. Click ‘View,’ then ‘As List’ to view files; this makes it easier to identify the larger ones.
4. Sort the files by size to show the largest files first.
5. Open the folders containing the files and determine which files are not required.
6. Drag and drop the files to the trash to remove them.
Pros:
– Free and straightforward
– Gives you control to choose which files to remove
Cons:
– Tedious job because you have to search for files manually
– Can be risky to remove essential files if you’re not sure of their significance
Why Can’t I Make Space For Update?
1. Browsing history, logs, and files take up an enormous space on your computer.
2. Applications with leftovers take up space.
3. You may have duplicates of the same file on your Mac.
Fixes:
Q: I’m trying to clear some applications I no longer need, but I’m faced with this message, "The application is in use." What should I do?
A: You can force quit the app using the Activity Manager. Press the Option+Command+Esc keys concurrently, which will display the Activity Monitor. From there, identify and quit the app you’re trying to delete.
Q: What can I do if I have a lot of duplicates of the same file on my Mac?
A: You can use a specialized application like Gemini that can scan your Mac for duplicates and automatically delete them.
Additional Tips
1. Increasing iCloud storage space provides an additional option for data storage and clearing disk space on your Mac.
2. Choosing to optimize Mac storage selectively may result in data loss. Make sure that you back up your important files before doing so.
5 FAQs About Making Space For Update On Mac
Q1: How do I check the amount of free space on my Mac?
A: Go to Apple Menu > About This Mac > Storage. This will display the current storage status of your Mac.
Q2: Why can’t my Mac update to the latest OS version?
A: This could be due to lack of space, incompatible hardware or software, or a poor internet connection.
Q3: How do I permanently delete files on my Mac?
A: You can do this by emptying the trash folder or using specialized cleaning software that securely deletes data.
Q4: How often should I clean my Mac?
A: It is recommended to clean your Mac at least once a month, or when you notice a significant decrease in its performance.
Q5: Can I restore deleted files?
A: If you haven’t emptied the trash folder, you can still restore deleted files. Otherwise, you can use data recovery software like EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard to retrieve lost data.
In Conclusion
In summary, a lack of storage space on your Mac is no longer an insurmountable problem. Using built-in tools like Mac’s Optimized Storage or third-party software like CleanMyMac X are quick and effective methods to make space for updates on a Mac. Additionally, manually removing large and redundant files can be time-consuming but has the added benefit of eliminating unwanted files. Finally, regular cleaning of your Mac and optimizing your storage options will help keep your computer running smoothly and error-free.