Josephine WilliamIf you notice that there are only a few gigabytes of free storage left on your MacBook Air 11 inch hard drive, do not expect that the problem is going to solve itself. No, if anything, you need to be proactive and take the necessary steps to clear the drive so that there is enough free storage on the drive.
Those who are not sold on the problem need to consider the fact that the lack of free storage on a computer leads to sluggishness. In addition, there is the wheel on Mac problem that is also related to storage issues. Having said that, let’s take a look at some of the most effective ways to manage storage on a MacBook so that you know what to do.
Remember to Remove Files Permanently
First things first. You need to understand that you have to delete files permanently to free up disk space. In other words, dragging them in the Trash Bin and leaving the files there will not cut it.
You need to empty the Trash Bin each time you put a file there. Or, at the very least, enable the feature that deletes files in the Trash after 30 days.
As an alternative, you can also use the Option + Command + Delete keyboard shortcut if you want to get rid of a file permanently.
Take Care of Temporary Files
It is not just about freeing up storage when it comes to temporary system junk. Caches, app plugins, extensions, and other redundant files accumulate over time and put a toll on the overall computer performance.
Since you cannot access these files without tinkering with the system’s settings, an average user might not even be aware of the problem, which is the temporary system storage.
As a rule of thumb, you are better off not bothering with accessing these files via system settings. Instead, use a cleanup utility tool, such as CleanMyMac X, and leave the deletion to the software. A hassle-free approach will save you some time. Besides, investing in cleanup software is a worthwhile decision because you will need to use the software regularly.
Delete Applications
Over time, you are bound to download and install various applications for your MacBook. The problem is that you might forget about these applications, which is not great when there are storage-related concerns.
Take some time to look through apps that you have installed on the Mac and consider which ones you no longer need. Delete those apps, and you are bound to free up disk space on the computer. In case you need to use a deleted app, you can simply download it later.
For a more in-depth look at how to remove apps from a MacBook, check the video below:
Use External Storage
It would be a waste not to take advantage of external storage. Deleting useless files on a computer is a solid approach, but you might find it a bit tricky if you have too much data that you still want to keep.
Moving files to a different location sounds like a decent option. As far as external storage goes, there are two notable methods. Physical storage accessories, such as USB flash sticks or hard drives, are the first method. The second method is cloud storage.
Between the two, cloud storage seems to be the go-to option for those who prefer a digital approach. Rather than keeping additional peripherals for extra storage, users transfer files to iCloud.
Keep in mind, though, that iCloud offers only a few gigabytes of storage for free. You will likely need to pay a monthly fee for additional storage so that there is enough space for your files on iCloud.
As for physical storage accessories, they are worth considering as well. No monthly fees sound quite attractive, and since external hard drives are so cheap these days, you should not have problems affording one.
Stick to Streaming Services
These days, it makes little sense to keep media files on a laptop. If you have a habit of hoarding music, movies, TV shows, documentaries, and other media that you can access via streaming services, you should stick to streaming platforms.
Media files accumulate fast, and they can take up a considerable amount of disk space on your computer.
Streaming platforms, in addition to solving potential storage issues, also give you an excellent and convenient way to consume media. You do not have to bother downloading files on your device when you can access them with a few clicks using dedicated applications.
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Josephine William
