The most recent trend to have solid-state drives in computers is great as far as performance improvements go. However, some SSDs may not have enough total storage available, particularly on laptops, like Macbooks.
There are people who struggle to keep enough free drive space. If the computer’s disk has less than 10 or 15 percent of total storage free, expecting an optimal performance is far-fetched.
Thankfully, there are ways to manage the situation. If you want to create more drive space on your Macbook and boost the computer’s performance. Create a data management strategy with the information in this article.
Check for Foreign Language Support
Some apps come in with redundant files that offer no real value. One of the best examples is the foreign language support. Most people are content with the English version and do not really need another 50 or so languages. The files for these languages may take more space than one expects.
Look through the list of the Macbook applications you have installed and make sure that the computer system is not cluttered with redundant language pack support. If you find such files, delete them.
Delete Temporary System Junk
Software like Photoshop is a good example of when Macbook owners have to deal with temporary system junk that accumulates quite fast.
If you use it regularly, it will not be too long before you encounter errors about having a full scratch disk. Click here to find out how you can deal with the problem of temporary Photoshop files and improve the Macbook’s performance.
Keep Tabs on Old Apps
You may have more applications on a Macbook than you really need. Look at the application list to see what you had installed and see when was the last time you used some of these apps.
Sure, there may be a time when you need to use an app unexpectedly, but who knows when that happens? If an app takes a lot of drive space, and you want to free it up, then why not remove it from the computer? After all, you still have an option to download and install an app later.
Remember the Downloads Folder
Speaking of downloading files, the downloads folder could have more files than you expect. Some people forget about downloading a picture from the internet or an installer for an app and leave it in the downloads folder.
If you want to solve the problem, why not change the default location for downloads? Switch that to the Macbook’s desktop, and you will have no problems noticing downloaded files right away.
Remove Files Permanently
With that said, regarding removing files from the Macbook, you should keep in mind that dragging shortcuts in the Trash Bin is not the same as removing data from the computer permanently.
No, for that, you will need to empty the Trash Bin each time you put a file in it. Or, as an alternative, enable the feature that deletes Bin files automatically after 30 days.
Besides using the Trash Bin, you can remove Mac files permanently by using the Command + Option + Delete keyboard shortcut. Select the files you want to delete and confirm the pop-up to get rid of them.
Use External Storage Options
External hard drives, memory sticks, and cloud services are a good alternative to removing data from the computer permanently.
You can transfer data to external storage and keep it there. Services like Dropbox and iCloud cost a few dollars per month if you want to expand available storage from the default amount.
As for accessories like external hard drives and memory sticks, these are relatively cheap, and you can save money by waiting for the next sale.
Check for Potential Computer Viruses
There are viruses and malware that consume drive space, and not having proper antivirus software makes it quite difficult to locate and eliminate the threat.
Keep tabs on the Macbook’s security to make sure that it has no problems with potential threats. Besides having antivirus software running in the background all the time, perform custom disk scans at least once or twice a week.
Try Consuming Media on Streaming Platforms
If you have too many media files on the computer, rethink your consumption approach. There is no need to keep music, movies, and TV shows on a computer, thanks to the available streaming platforms.
Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and Spotify are just a few examples of streaming services that provide their users with hours of entertainment. If you subscribe to them, you can forget about keeping large media files on the Macbook’s drive.
