How do I clean up/optimize my mac?

After a year my mac is starting to get slower. I installed and uninstalled a lot of software during that time. Is it possible that there are files left from removed software that is making my mac slow? If so, is there a program to find these files and remove them to speed my mac up again?
André

Kappy's Personal Suggestions for OS X Maintenance
For disk repairs use Disk Utility. For situations DU cannot handle the best third-party utilities are: Disk Warrior; DW only fixes problems with the disk directory, but most disk problems are caused by directory corruption; Disk Warrior 4.x is now Intel Mac compatible. TechTool Pro provides additional repair options including file repair and recovery, system diagnostics, and disk defragmentation. TechTool Pro 4.5.1 or higher are Intel Mac compatible; Drive Genius is similar to TechTool Pro in terms of the various repair services provided. Versions 1.5.1 or later are Intel Mac compatible.
OS X performs certain maintenance functions that are scheduled to occur on a daily, weekly, or monthly period. The maintenance scripts run in the early AM only if the computer is turned on 24/7 (no sleep.) If this isn't the case, then an excellent solution is to download and install a shareware utility such as Macaroni, JAW PseudoAnacron, or Anacron that will automate the maintenance activity regardless of whether the computer is turned off or asleep. Dependence upon third-party utilities to run the periodic maintenance scripts had been significantly reduced in Tiger and Leopard. These utilities have limited or no functionality with Snow Leopard and should not be installed.
OS X automatically defrags files less than 20 MBs in size, so unless you have a disk full of very large files there's little need for defragmenting the hard drive. As for virus protection there are few if any such animals affecting OS X. You can protect the computer easily using the freeware Open Source virus protection software ClamXAV. Personally I would avoid most commercial anti-virus software because of their potential for causing problems.
I would also recommend downloading the shareware utility TinkerTool System that you can use for periodic maintenance such as removing old logfiles and archives, clearing caches, etc. Other utilities are also available such as Onyx, Leopard Cache Cleaner, CockTail, and Xupport, for example.
For emergency repairs install the freeware utility Applejack. If you cannot start up in OS X, you may be able to start in single-user mode from which you can run Applejack to do a whole set of repair and maintenance routines from the commandline. Note that AppleJack 1.5 is required for Leopard. AppleJack 1.6 is compatible with Snow Leopard.
When you install any new system software or updates be sure to repair the hard drive and permissions beforehand. I also recommend booting into safe mode before doing system software updates.
Get an external Firewire drive at least equal in size to the internal hard drive and make (and maintain) a bootable clone/backup. You can make a bootable clone using the Restore option of Disk Utility. You can also make and maintain clones with good backup software. My personal recommendations are (order is not significant):
Backuplist
Carbon Copy Cloner
Data Backup
Deja Vu
iBackup
JaBack
Silver Keeper
MimMac
Retrospect
Super Flexible File Synchronizer
ynchronizer
SuperDuper!
Synchronize Pro! X
SyncTwoFolders
Synk Pro
Synk Standard
Tri-Backup
Visit The XLab FAQs and read the FAQs on maintenance, optimization, virus protection, and backup and restore.
Additional suggestions will be found in Mac Maintenance Quick Assist.
Referenced software can be found at CNet Downloads or MacUpdate.

Similar Messages

How do I clean up a SLOW Mac Pro?

Hi - Finally time to clean up this Mac Pro. It's gettting slower and slower.
May I please ask for your suggestions?
Thank you

Usually you don't
What does slow mean or behavior, what apps.
I wish I had $1 for every such question I see, more so on OS X forum. But also earlier today -
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3790641?tstart=0
Do a clean install after you format a new drive and then after all the updates and insuring it works use Setup Assistant.
There is no magic bullet.
Maybe do two Safe Boots. Repair the disk drive. =
Maybe you already deleted all the browser cache.
Move the home folder to another drive.
Add more RAM. Buy an SSD.
Unplug and disconnect all the devices other than kb and mouse.
Mac Pro normally don't slow down over time unless you have crashed and froze and haven't repaired the boot drive. Or you have been using the same system drive through two full OS upgrades. A new OS is great time to buy and use a new drive and keep the old one handy as dual boot backup.
www.macsales.com/macpro
www.macperformanceguide.com

HT3226 how do I clean dust from inside Mac Pro?

I have compressed air, but I know it also can leave some residue, even when it is held upright (never ever use compressed air from a can held other than upright!). But is there something like a mini-vacuum cleaner? I don't want to blow the dust and cat hair further into the machine. When using compressed air it tends to blow it everywhere...what about compressed air plus holding, nearby, the operating end of a vacuum cleaner hose?

I have just cleaned my Mac Pro. Yes you are on the right track. I pulled out the processor assembly at the bottom, the SuperDrive tray at the top (both very easy), and the graphics card (at little bit harder), and with compressed air in one hand, and vacuum cleaner in the other, I blowed and vacuumed out all the dust, there was heaps!
As others have suggested, use the compress air conservatively and in brief bursts, and only when the vacuum can't get to or dislodge some dust. I've had one graphics card fail due to the build up of dust in his fan fins, so I recommend getting it out and cleaning those little fins - which will probably be clogged with dust.
My Mac Pro now runs much quieter, and happier I suspect.

How can i clean and restart my mac

hi, ive tried the you tube vids but n joy, can anyone recomend a easy way to wipe my mac and to restart it as if it were new from the store.

Try http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4718

My Mac OSX 10.6.8 is running slow. I keep getting that spinning wheel. How do I clean or speed it up

My Mac 10.6.8 is running slow. I do not have a lot stored on it but I think there are a lot of fragments on it...how do I clean it or speed it up

Have you done any system maintenance - like repaired permissions or repair disc using Disc Utility?
Mac Tune-up: 34 Software Speedups
http://www.macworld.com/article/49489/2006/02/softwarespeed.html
52 Ways to Speed Up OS X
http://www.imafish.co.uk/articles/post/articles/130/52-ways-to-speed-up os-x/
Tuning Mac OS X Performance
http://www.thexlab.com/faqs/performance.html
11 Ways to Optimize Your Mac's Performance
http://lowendmac.com/eubanks/07/0312.html
The Top 7 Free Utilities To Maintain A Mac.
http://mac360.com/index.php/mac360/comments/the_top_7_free_utilities_to_maintain _a_mac/
 Cheers, Tom

My mac is running extremely slow lately how can i clean it

my mac is too slow lately how can i clean it

Yes. But what ever you do, don't buy any of the so called "cleanup" software. It is all worthless crapware.
Try http://www.thexlab.com/faqs/freeingspace.html
or http://www.thexlab.com/faqs/performance.html

How can I clean my Mac Book Pro completely to hand it over to an other user ?

How can I clean my Mac Book Pro completely to hand it over to an other user ?

Follow these directions:
http://www.thesafemac.com/how-to-prepare-your-mac-for-sale/
Ciao,

My Mac Book Pro says it has been infected with viruses. How do I clean them up?

My Macbook Pro says it has been infected with viruses. How do I clean it up?

There are different variants of names for this malware but the steps of removal should be the same unless it has advanced.
http://www.securemac.com/MAC-Defender-Rouge-Anti-Virus-Analysis-Removal.php
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3032201?start=0&tstart=0
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3042885?start=0&tstart=0
http://www.reedcorner.net/news.php/news.php?s=macdefender

HT3226 how do i clean up my hard drive on my mac

How can i clean up my mac

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 people 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," "testing the hardware," 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.

How can I clean up my mac. I'm sure I have a lot of unwanted files

How can I clean up my mac. OS X (10.6.8) I'm sure there are unwanted files clogging it up.

Programs such as OmniDiskSweeper or OnyX.

How can i clean up my mac for free

how can i clean up my mac for free

You may find this post helpful 1doran: have problems cleaning up my mac
Read the cautions regarding deleting language resources.
A reliable program that claims the intelligence to automatically discriminate between required and superfluous files does not exist. Such one-size-fits-all "clean up" utilities frequently don't know the difference between required system components and trash, and can easily result in a broken Mac.
If you are running low on disk space you can buy a bigger disk. They are not expensive. In the meantime you can read the techniques here to determine if there are any large files you can safely delete using the tools already built into every Mac, including recommendations for some free utilities you can use to easily identify large files.
From Apple Support Communities contributor Pondini:
OSX Tips
Where did my Disk Space go?

HT2487 how do I clean my mac mini and get rid of old files and clutter please

how do I clean my mac mini and get rid of old files and clutter lease

Try using one of these applications to see what is taking up your hard drive space.
File Scanner - OmniDiskSweeper Requires 10.8 or better
File Scanner – Whatsize

Need to sell Mac...how do I clean it out?

I bought a new mac and want to sell my old one. How to I clean in completely out so the person buying it does not get any of my information. Step by step instructions would be helpful!

Restart the computer from the original disks, choose Disk Utility from the Utilities menu, erase the drive, overwriting data if desired, install the OS, press the Command and S keys upon the restart, and enter:
shutdown -h now
Include the disks with it.
(51005)

My Mac is running slowly and having some glitches in opening programs. How can I clean upspace?

My Mac is running slowly and having some gliches when opening programs. How can I clean up the disk to make it more efficient?

learn how to use Recovery Mode
Don't do anything until you can restore and have repaired the disk drive.
Post should get moved to either ML (10.8,.4) or iMac forum
Swap out the hdd for an SSD : )
Don't do anything to clean it up unless you don't know how to first remove browser history from within the programs; low on disk space (I consider more than even the 15% minimum, more like 3--40%)
And do you have page outs? more than enough RAM? what actually leads you to ask? Programs aren't opening properly?
Sometimes it is easier to take the long road: just reinstall and restore.
Recovery Mode
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4718
TimeMachine 101
https://support.apple.com/kb/HT1427
http://www.apple.com/support/timemachine
Mac OS X & Mountain Lion Community
https://discussions.apple.com/community/mac_os
General purpose Mac troubleshooting guide:
Mac OS X: Starting up in Safe Mode - http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=107393
What is Safe Boot, Safe Mode? (Mac OS X) - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1564
Isolating issues in Mac OS X
Creating a temporary user to isolate user-specific problems:
Isolating an issue by using another user account
Identifying resource hogs and other tips:
Using Activity Monitor to read System Memory and determine how much RAM is being used
Starting the computer in "safe mode":
Mac OS X: What is Safe Boot, Safe Mode?
To identify potential hardware problems:
Apple Hardware Test
General Mac maintenance:
Tips to keep your Mac in top form

HT1752 How do I totally clean off my old MAC before giving to a friend?

I just bought a new desktop and want to give my IMac OSX 10.6.8 to a friend, HOW do I clean it all off so she has the ability to use it as her own?

Follow these instructions step by step to prepare a Mac for sale:
Step One - Back up your data:
       A. If you have any Virtual PCs shut them down. They cannot be in their "fast saved" state. They must be shut down from inside Windows.
       B. Clone to an external drive using using Carbon Copy Cloner.
          1. Open Carbon Copy Cloner.
          2. Select the Source volume from the Select a source drop down menu on the left side.
          3. Select the Destination volume from the Select a destination drop down menu on the right
              side.
          4. Click on the Clone button. If you are prompted about creating a clone of the Recovery HD be
              sure to opt for that.
               Destination means a freshly erased external backup drive. Source means the internal
               startup drive.
Step Two - Prepare the machine for the new buyer:
          1. De-authorize the computer in iTunes! De-authorize both iTunes and Audible accounts.
          2, Remove any Open Firmware passwords or Firmware passwords.
          3. Turn the brightness full up and volume nearly so.
          4. Turn off File Vault, if enabled.
          5. Disable iCloud, if enabled: See What to do with iCloud before selling your computer.
Step Three - Install a fresh OS:
     A. Snow Leopard and earlier versions of OS X
          1. Insert the original OS X install CD/DVD that came with your computer.
          2. Restart the computer while holding down the C key to boot from the CD/DVD.
          3. Select Disk Utility from the Utilities menu; repartition and reformat the internal hard drive.
              Optionally, click on the Security button and set the Zero Data option to one-pass.
          4. Install OS X.
          5. Upon completion DO NOT restart the computer.
          6. Shutdown the computer.
     B. Lion and Mountain Lion (if pre-installed on the computer at purchase*)
         Note: You will need an active Internet connection. I suggest using Ethernet if possible because
                   it is three times faster than wireless.
          1. Restart the computer while holding down the COMMAND and R keys until the Mac OS X
              Utilities window appears.
          2. Select Disk Utility from the Mac OS X Utilities window and click on the Continue button.
          3. After DU loads select your startup volume (usually Macintosh HD) from the left side list. Click
              on the Erase tab in the DU main window.
          4. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Optionally, click on the Security button
              and set the Zero Data option to one-pass.
          5. Click on the Erase button and wait until the process has completed.
          6. Quit DU and return to the Mac OS X Utilities window.
          7. Select Reinstall Lion/Mountain Lion and click on the Install button.
          8. Upon completion shutdown the computer.
*If your computer came with Lion or Mountain Lion pre-installed then you are entitled to transfer your license once. If you purchased Lion or Mountain Lion from the App Store then you cannot transfer your license to another party. In the case of the latter you should install the original version of OS X that came with your computer. You need to repartition the hard drive as well as reformat it; this will assure that the Recovery HD partition is removed. See Step Three above. You may verify these requirements by reviewing your OS X Software License.

How do I clean up/optimize my mac?

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