Best way to clean my system

Is Mackeeper the best way to clean my MacBook Air system, or does Apple offer a free equivalent?

MacKeeper is bad news. Avoid at all costs.
In general, you do not need 'cleaning' apps.
The daily. weekly and monthly Unix clean up scripts are run automatically, and unless problems arise that's all that's needed.
The exception would be if you're doing lots of movie rendering or audio processing with large files being created and deleted regularly. In that case it may be necessary to defrag occasionally. Files up to 40MB (I think; I'll need to check that figure) are defragged on the fly by the system, so it's seldom necessary to do it unless you're using large files regularly.
Cache cleaning should only be done as part of a diagnostic routine when a problem arises; it is definitely not required under normal circumstances. When it is necessary, booting into Safe Mode will usually be sufficient.
I haven't needed to touch my iMacs with any of that for about 4 years now and they're still running sweetly.
Biggest cause of problems is badly written third-party software, so check around before installing anything you're not sure of.
If you feel the need for AV, which is not really needed either as your Mac's XProtect system should sort most malware as long as you keep up to date with security updates, then ClamXAV is safe and free.

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  • What is best way to clean up startup disc?  What apps work?

    What is the best way to clean up my startup disc?  Are any of the clean up apps trustworthy?

    Here are some general tips to keep your Mac's hard drive trim and slim as possible
    You should never, EVER let a computer hard drive get completely full, EVER!
    With Macs and OS X, you shouldn't let the hard drive get below 15 GBs or less of free data space.
    If it does, it's time for some hard drive housecleaning.
    Follow some of my tips for cleaning out, deleting and archiving data from your Mac's internal hard drive.
    Have you emptied your Mac's Trash icon in the Dock?
    If you use iPhoto or Aperture, both have its own trash that needs to be emptied, also.
    If you store images in other locations other than iPhoto, then you will have to weed through these to determine what to archive and what to delete.
    If you are an iMovie/ Final Cut user, both apps have their own individual Trash location that needs to be emptied, too!
    If you use Apple Mail app, Apple Mail also has its own trash area that needs to be emptied, too!
    Delete any old or no longer needed emails and/or archive to disc, flash drives or external hard drive, older emails you want to save.
    Look through your other Mailboxes and other Mail categories to see If there is other mail you can archive and/or delete.
    STAY AWAY FROM DELETING ANY FILES FROM OS X SYSTEM FOLDER!
    Look through your Documents folder and delete any type of old useless type files like "Read Me" type files.
    Again, archive to disc, flash drives, ext. hard drives or delete any old documents you no longer use or immediately need.
    Look in your Applications folder, if you have applications you haven't used in a long time, if the app doesn't have a dedicated uninstaller, then you can simply drag it into the OS X Trash icon. IF the application has an uninstaller app, then use it to completely delete the app from your Mac.
    To find other large files, download an app called Omni Disk Sweeper.
    http://www.omnigroup.com/more
    Also, Find Any File
    http://apps.tempel.org/FindAnyFile/
    Typically, iTunes and iPhoto libraries are the biggest users of HD space.
    move these files/data off of your internal drive to the external hard drive and deleted off of the internal hard drive.
    If you have any other large folders of personal data or projects, these should be archived or moved, also, to the optical discs, flash drives or external hard drive and then either archived to disc and/or deleted off your internal hard drive.
    Moving iTunes library
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1449
    Moving iPhoto library
    http://support.apple.com/kb/PH2506
    Moving iMovie projects folder
    http://support.apple.com/kb/ph2289
    Things to consider before moving your iPhoto Library Folder to a new or external location like an external hard drive.
    If you make movies on any iDevices using iMovie for iOS,, then transfer the video footage, the IOS version of iMovie saves the footage as a movie file in IPhoto for IOS and will automatically get transferred to iPhoto for the Mac when you upload the video from your iDevice.
    Newer versions of iMovie will work and link those video files found in your iPhoto Library on your Mac, but those links can be lost if you move your iPhoto library and you will not be able to relink that video afterwards as the current versions of iMovie seem to not have a relink option for the video portion of the files (ironically, current versions of iMovie HAVE the ability to re-link the audio files from the video footage, though  (The inability to re-link the video files could be a possible bug or oversight in current versions iMovie).
    The lost video links show up as "blacked-out" video blocks with no content.
    Before moving the iPhoto Library
    If you make movies with iMovie using iPad or iPhone video then 'Consolidate' the files before you finish. This will gather (albeit by duplicating) all the relevant files in the project in one place. After consolidating/duplicating all of the audio and video footage to a seperate, independent location,it should be safe to move your iPhoto library.
    The potential way to circumvent this issues maybe to try and import  iPad and iPhoto video directly into iMovie which would be another solution.
    Good Luck!

  • Best way to clean macbookpro? How often?

    Best way to clean MacBookpro?
    I verify/repair disk permissions.
    Is that the best way??
    What is a better alternative?

    How to maintain a Mac
    1. Make redundant backups, keeping at least one off site at all times. One backup is not enough. Don’t back up your backups; make them independent of each other. Don’t rely completely on any single backup method, such as Time Machine. If you get an indication that a backup has failed, don't ignore it.
    2. Keep your software up to date. In the Software Update preference pane, you can configure automatic notifications of updates to OS X and other Mac App Store products. Some third-party applications from other sources have a similar feature, if you don’t mind letting them phone home. Otherwise you have to check yourself on a regular basis. This is especially important for complex software that modifies the operating system, such as device drivers. Before installing any Apple update, you must check that all such modifications that you use are compatible.
    3. Don't install crapware, such as “themes,” "haxies," “add-ons,” “toolbars,” “enhancers," “optimizers,” “accelerators,” “extenders,” “cleaners,” "doctors," "tune-ups," “defragmenters,” “firewalls,” "barriers," “guardians,” “defenders,” “protectors,” most “plugins,” commercial "virus scanners,” "disk tools," or "utilities." With very few exceptions, this stuff is useless, or worse than useless.
    The more actively promoted the product, the more likely it is to be garbage. The most extreme example is the “MacKeeper” scam.
    As a rule, the only software you should install is that which directly enables you to do the things you use a computer for — such as creating, communicating, and playing — and does not modify the way other software works. Use your computer; don't fuss with it.
    Never install any third-party software unless you know how to uninstall it. Otherwise you may create problems that are very hard to solve.
    The free anti-malware application ClamXav is not crap, and although it’s not routinely needed, it may be useful in some environments, such as a mixed Mac-Windows enterprise network.
    4. Beware of trojans. A trojan is malicious software (“malware”) that the user is duped into installing voluntarily. Such attacks were rare on the Mac platform until sometime in 2011, but are now increasingly common, and increasingly dangerous.
    There is some built-in protection against downloading malware, but you can’t rely on it — the attackers are always at least one day ahead of the defense. You can’t rely on third-party protection either. What you can rely on is common-sense awareness — not paranoia, which only makes you more vulnerable.
    Never install software from an untrustworthy or unknown source. If in doubt, do some research. Any website that prompts you to install a “codec” or “plugin” that comes from the same site, or an unknown site, is untrustworthy. Software with a corporate brand, such as Adobe Flash Player, must be acquired directly from the developer. No intermediary is acceptable, and don’t trust links unless you know how to parse them. Any file that is automatically downloaded from a web page without your having requested it should go straight into the Trash. A website that claims you have a “virus,” or that anything else is wrong with your computer, is rogue.
    In OS X 10.7.5 or later, downloaded applications and Installer packages that have not been digitally signed by a developer registered with Apple are blocked from loading by default. The block can be overridden, but think carefully before you do so.
    Because of recurring security issues in Java, it’s best to disable it in your web browsers, if it’s installed. Few websites have Java content nowadays, so you won’t be missing much. This action is mandatory if you’re running any version of OS X older than 10.6.8 with the latest Java update. Note: Java has nothing to do with JavaScript, despite the similar names. Don't install Java unless you're sure you need it. Most users don't.
    5. Don't fill up your boot volume. A common mistake is adding more and more large files to your home folder until you start to get warnings that you're out of space, which may be followed in short order by a boot failure. This is more prone to happen on the newer Macs that come with an internal SSD instead of the traditional hard drive. The drive can be very nearly full before you become aware of the problem. While it's not true that you should or must keep any particular percentage of space free, you should monitor your storage consumption and make sure you're not in immediate danger of using it up. According to Apple documentation, you need at least 9 GB of free space on the startup volume for normal operation.
    If storage space is running low, use a tool such as the free application OmniDiskSweeper to explore your volume and find out what's taking up the most space. Move rarely-used large files to secondary storage.
    6. Relax, don’t do it. Besides the above, no routine maintenance is necessary or beneficial for the vast majority of users; specifically not “cleaning caches,” “zapping the PRAM,” "resetting the SMC," “rebuilding the directory,” "defragmenting the drive," “running periodic scripts,” “dumping logs,” "deleting temp files," “scanning for viruses,” "purging memory," "checking for bad blocks," or “repairing permissions.” Such measures are either completely pointless or are useful only for solving problems, not for prevention.
    The very height of futility is running an expensive third-party application called “Disk Warrior” when nothing is wrong, or even when something is wrong and you have backups, which you must have. Disk Warrior is a data-salvage tool, not a maintenance tool, and you will never need it if your backups are adequate. Don’t waste money on it or anything like it.

  • What is the best way to clean a white Apple keyboard?

    What is the best way to clean a white Apple keyboard?

    Take the batteries out if applicable, and use a very slightly damped lint-free cloth. Be very careful not to get any actual liquid into it. A brush would also be useful for cleaning between the keys: if you want to get fancy you can buy mini-vacuum cleaners for this, such as this one.

  • What is the best way to clean a soft screen on a laptop

    what is the best way to clean a soft screen on a laptop

    i dont know what you mean by "a soft screen", but read this: To clean the screen on your MacBook, MacBook Pro, or MacBook Air, first shut down the computer and unplug the power adapter. Dampen the included cleaning cloth with just water and wipe the screen. Do not spray liquid directly onto the screen.
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3226#portables

  • What's the best way to cleanly stop Goldengate?

    For routine maintenance/upgrades what's the best way to cleanly stop GoldenGate? I don't want to wait endlessly. I use this currently and seen no issues :-
    stop er *!
    kill er *!
    stop manager!
    Thanks,
    Shankar

    shiyer wrote:
    For routine maintenance/upgrades what's the best way to cleanly stop GoldenGate? I don't want to wait endlessly. I use this currently and seen no issues :-
    stop er *!
    kill er *!
    stop manager!
    For routine maintenance/upgrades, just {noformat} "stop er *" {noformat} should be preferred; and when all processes are stopped, mgr can (optionally) be stopped. If you really are waiting endlessly for this to return, the real question is "why": then, perhaps there are other parameters that can be adjusted to make GG stop more quickly. (On the other hand, {noformat} "stop mgr!" {noformat} is harmless, the "!" simply prevents it from asking "are you sure?" before stopping the process.)
    I really wouldn't use "kill" unless you really have a good reason to (and the reason itself requiring the process to be killed should be analyzed & resolved). To "kill" a process shouldn't cause data loss (GG always maintains checkpoints to prevent this) -- but still it seems unnecessary, unless there really is something that should be killed. (Aside: I mean, I can kill -9 / "force quit" my browser and/or 'halt' my laptop every time as well, and it would probably be "faster" to -- but it can cause issues (and wasted time) upon restart: i.e., fsck, recover sessions, whatever. Same basic idea, imo.)
    There's a reason there are different commands to 'stop' processes (stop vs. stop! vs. kill). Just for example, "stop replicat !" causes current transactions to be rolled back; there typically is no reason for this, you'll just restart that txn when the process is restarted; might as well let the current one finish. And "kill extract" (I believe) will not warn about potentially "long running transactions" that can cause (painful) issues at startup (missing old archive logs, etc). There are probably other examples, as well.
    So if this really is "routine", then "stop", don't "stop!" or "kill". If there are long delays, see why first & see if they can be addressed independently. (This really is just a stock answer for a generic question, it would be irresponsible for me to answer otherwise :-) )

  • Best way to clean all data n8

    hello, can anyone please tell me whats d best way to clean out all data - phone numbers, photos, videos maps, apps all from d from my n8, i have backed up necessory info usin ovi sync, i just want a clean fresh start with d phone is too full
    Solved!
    Go to Solution.

    Enter *#7370# followed by the security code which is 12345 by default. You must have a SIM inserted for this to work I believe (been a while).
    This will erase all data and restore settings to factory defaults.
    Click on the blue Star Icon below if my advice has helped you or press the 'Accept As Solution' link if I solved your problem..

  • What is the best way to 'clean up" a Mac that has been going for about 2 years.  I reset safari frequently but need to be sure stuff I don't want is gone.

    What is the best way to 'clean up" a Mac that has been going for about 2 years.  I reset safari frequently but need to be sure stuff I don't want is gone.

    I'd gather by your "reset Safari"  and "clean up" you mean by sites you rather not have your mom see.
    Hidden Flash cookies are stored in "Macromedia" Folders on your computer, can delete using the free Easy Find first, but need to reinstall Flash again here
    http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/11076/easyfind
    http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/
    OnyX run All the cleaning and maintenance steps followed by a reboot, followed by a Disk Utility erase free space.
    http://www.titanium.free.fr/
    CCleaner is in beta for OS X, can combine the cleaning and secure erase in the same steps if properly configured.
    http://www.piriform.com/mac/ccleaner
    Every web site knows your apx location.
    http://www.whatsmyip.org/more/
    To be sure to have a clean machine, a
    Restoring OS X - 10.6  "fresh install method"
    Restoring OS X - 10.7 - wipe and install
    is the only way as you only bring files back to the machine that you know what they are, everything else is removed.
    https://discussions.apple.com/message/16276201#16276201

  • What is the best way to clean a Macbook anti glare screen

    What is the best way to clean my Macbook Pro anti glare screen

    I have used WINDEX ELECTRONICS for about the past 6+ months:
    http://www.windex.com/en-US/Products/Pages/electronic-cleaner-and-wipes.aspx
    I apply it with a small damp microfiber cloth and wipe the excess off with a large microfiber cloth.  The display looks the same when it came out of the box.
    THIS IS NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH ORDINARY WINDEX GLASS CLEANER.
    Ciao.

  • What is the best way to clean the exterior of the Macbook Pro

    The exterior of the my MacBook Pro appears to be an aluminum or silver metal. What is the best way to clean this surface? It seems to become easily smudged.

    it's not or silver metal it is aluminum. Follow the guidelines by Apple in the MacBook Pro Users Guide.pdf
    "Cleaning your MacBook Pro When cleaning the outside of your MacBook Pro and its components, first shut down your MacBook Pro and unplug the power adapter. Then use a damp, soft, lint-free cloth to clean the computer’s exterior. Avoid getting moisture in any openings. Do not spray liquid directly on the computer. Do not use aerosol sprays, solvents, or abrasives that might damage the finish.
    Cleaning your MacBook Pro screen To clean your MacBook Pro screen, first shut down your MacBook Pro and unplug the power adapter. Then dampen the included cleaning cloth with just water and wipe the screen. Do not spray liquid directly on the screen."

  • What's the best way to clean dust out of headphone jack?

    Best way to clean iPhone headphone jack?

    As randers4 said, use canned compressed gas and NEVER BY MOUTH.  That blows humidity and moisture right on the water sensor at the base of the jack, possibly voiding the warranty and corroding the jack and other parts.

  • What is the best way to clean ipod touch screen without scratching?

    Best way to clean ipod touch screen without scratching it?

                I have heard screen klean is a great touch screen cleaner. Also, a good rule for touch devices is not to use anything alcohol based!

  • What is the best way to clean the aluminum unibody of the rMBP?

    What is the best way to clean the aluminum of the rMBP?

    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3226

  • HT201328 best way to clean iphone 30 pin dock

    What is the best way to clean the 30pin dock in the bottom of the iPhone/iPod/iPad please?

    Canned air & a soft toothbrush.

  • What's the best way to clean the DVD player in a 2007 Macbook Pro?

    Hello All.
    Our older MacBook Pro from mid 2007 has not had its DVD Player cleaned.
    Now our Redbook DVD'S are "skipping over damaged areas"
    What's the best way to clean it?
    Thanx for your advice.

    take the files from the dvds and back them up as iso or just the files onto your computer. this way you wont have to rely on the optical drive.
    the safest way is to take it into the apple store to clean,
    but if there are danages on the DVD, you'll have to somewhere for them to buff it out. some gaming store will do this for you for a charge. You are better off taking the media off of the disks and saving them on your computer or usb stick, so on.
    hope this helps ;-)

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