If i delete a file from a smart folder is it deleted from the hard drive?

I've got a late 2011 17" MacBook Pro with a 750 GB harddrive. I'm trying to free up space by deleting movie files. I spoke with tech support about this, and they suggested creating a smart folder of all my movie files in order to find them and delte them. I did this and deleted many files, but when I open system information to check on the amount of hard drive space, I'm still seeing the same amount of hard drive space dedicated to movies.
If I make a smart folder and delete files in that, am I really deleting them from my hard drive or just from the smart folder?

What files are stored automatically by Time Machine? I thought Time Machine pretty much saved everything on my hard drive to my external hard drive. If that is the case, wouldn't my music files and picture files be on Time Machine (via my external hard drive)?
Time Machine does backup almost all files on your hard drive, unless you have chosen to exclude them. There are a few exceptions, but nothing you should worry about. Your music and photos should be there, but Time Machine will not backup your iPhoto library if iPhoto is open.
Also, are the photos from iPhoto automatically stored on my external hard drive via Time Machine? If so, can I delete the pictures from iPhoto without deleting them from the external hard drive?
Yes to both questions, with the above cavat that Time Machine won't backup the library if iPhoto is open.
I notice that it takes iPhoto quite a while to load, and if deleting those photos would allow it to load quicker I would delete them (providing they would remain on the external hard drive.
I only have a few pictures in iPhoto, compared to my wife's 3,500+, and my iPhoto doesn't load appreciably faster that her's does even though I have a faster computer. In my opinion, it isn't worth the effort it would take to delete them for such a small gain.
You should have at least 2 complete backups to try to make sure you won't lose any data. Hard drives do fail and/or files can become corrupted. Time Machine can back up to more than one external hard drive or you can use a cloning program.
Time Machine FAQ

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I have 2 different MacBooks (owned by 2 people) connected to my Time Capsule. I want to use the Time Capsule to back up both MacBooks separately from each other. Can one person access the hard drive of the other person, on the same Time Capsule?

I have 2 different MacBooks (owned by 2 people) connected to the same Time Capsule over a wifi network. I want to use the Time Capsule to back up both MacBooks separately from each other. Can one person access the hard drive of the other person, on the same Time Capsule? Is there a way to ensure that the files on the 2 laptops are kept private from each other? Thanks!

If someone really wants to do something, it won't take them long to find out how to do it.
http://pondini.org/TM/17.html
Security on a Time Capsule is a bit like installing a lock on a tent. It will keep the honest folks out, but probably not the others.

HT4914 Once I upload my music library to the Cloud can I then remove it from my computer to free up space on the hard drive?

Once I upload my music library to the Cloud can I then remove it from my computer to free up space on the hard drive?

iTunes Match does not allow streaming to a computer.
If you want to utilize the media on the computer, it must physically be on the computer.
Also, if syncing media from the computer to an iDevice, the media must be physically on the computer to sync. Removing that media from the computer will remove it from the iDevice it is synced with.
iTunes Match is not a backup and should not be utilized as single storage for content.

Deleting files in a smart folder

If I delete a file in a smart folder, does it delete it from the 'puter or just the smart folder?
(after 6 years, I finally looked at smart folders. They are quite nice, but allow for the bad habit of not organizing correctly)

Deleting a file in a smart folder moves it to the Trash.
(48354)

I downloaded Lion on my iMac. It apparently cleaned out the hard drive. Nothing shows up from before. It looks like a brand new computer. It is backed up on Time machine. Any idea of why this happened and suggestions on restoring? Thanks.

I downloaded Lion on my 4 yr old iMac. The download stalled at the last minute so I clicked "CANCEL". When it was restarted, Lion was there, with no apparent option but to go ahead and install so I assumed it was okay. Didn't transfer data from "another computer" when prompted - assumed it would transfer from that computer. It apparently cleaned out the hard drive. It looks like a brand new computer. None of my apps, programs, files, or thousands of photos.   It is backed up on Time machine, but it's a sickening sight. Any idea why this happened and suggestions before restoring? Thanks.

I cannot find this 300GB "Backup" in the Finder, only in the Storage info when I check "About This Mac".
You are probably using Time Machine to backup your MacBook Pro, right? Then the additional 300 GB could be local Time Machine snapshots. Time Machine will write the hourly backups to the free space on your hard disk, if the backup drive is temporarily not connected. You do not see these local backups in the Finder, and MacOS will delete them, when you make a regular backup to Time Machine, or when you need the space for other data.
See Pondini's page for more explanation:   What are Local Snapshots?   http://pondini.org/TM/FAQ.html
I have restarted my computer, but the information remains the same. How do I reclaim the use of the 300GB? Why is it showing up as "Backups" when it used to indicate "Photos"? Are my photos safe on the external drive?
You have tested the library on the external drive, and so your photos are save there.
The local TimeMachine snapshot probably now contains a backup of the moved library. Try, if connecting your Time Machine drive will reduce the size of your local Time Machine snapshots.

Splitting the hard drive? Retrieving files

I am a brand new Mac owner formerly a Windows XP user. Prior to buying my MAC, my p/c crashed. I used carbonite to backup my files while I was using Windows. Now Carbonite tells me they cant "cross platform" my files and send them to me on my Mac.
Being new to all this, can anyone pls advise on what is the best way to get my files back? Should I use some kind of an external storage unit ? And use a friends p/c --who has Windows to receive the files? OR I understand I can "split"(?) the hard drive on my Mac and load microsoft on my MAC ? Is that correct? If I load Windows on here too, would I then have to run Anti Virus software for the Windows side of the unit? I would appreciate any advise anyone can give me about this.
Tks in advance.

I can "split"(?) the hard drive on my Mac and load microsoft on my MAC ? Is that correct?
Yes: http://www.apple.com/bootcamp
If I load Windows on here too, would I then have to run Anti Virus software for the Windows side of the unit?
Yep
Should I use some kind of an external storage unit ? And use a friends p/c --who has Windows to receive the files?
If you don't want to go through the hassle of installing Windows on our Mac, using an external hard drive would be your best option.

I backed up my itunes folder to an external drive, then deleted it from the hard drive, then restored to the hard drive, but now can't see the files, playlists

I backed up my itunes folder to an external drive, then deleted it from the hard drive, then restored to the hard drive, but now can't see the files, playlists

Was the entire folder copied including the iTunesLibrary.itl file?

I have an iMac 5.1 with Mac OSX 10.6.8 and 2 GB memory and an L2 cache of 4 GB. lately I have been receiving error messages of " start up disk almost full; please delete files." is the start up disk the same thing as the hard drive?

I have an iMac 5.1 with Mac OSX 10.6.8 and 2 GB memory and an L2 cache of 4 GB. lately I have been receiving error messages of " start up disk almost full; please delete files." is the start up disk the same thing as the hard drive? I opened the hard drive and from the column on the left of the menu I've selected "search for" and under that " all images" then "all documents" I've deleted a few files from each. Are documents and images that I have deleted from here also deleted from the folders on my desktop?

You should never, EVER let a conputer 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 iMac's Trash icon in the Dock?
If you use iPhoto, iPhoto has 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 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.
Delete any other mail in your Junk folders. Also, look through your Sent Mail to see if there is anything that can be deleted.
Other things you can do to gain space.
Once you have around 15 GBs regained, do a search, download and install OmniDisk Sweeper.
This app will help you locate files that you can move/archive and/or delete from your system.
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.
Download an app called OnyX for your version of OS X.
When you install and launch it, let it do its initial automatic tests, then go to the cleaning and maintenance tabs and run the maintenance tabs that let OnyX clean out all web browser cache files, web browser histories, system cache files, delete old error log files.
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.
Good Luck!

Can I recover data from a reformatted hard drive? I did not do a back up prior to talking to Apple Support and the guy having me delete the hard drive and start anew. My bad but is all lost??

Can I recover data from a reformatted hard drive? I did not complete a back up prior to talking to Apple Support and the guy having me delete the hard drive (10.5.8) and start anew (10.6.3). My bad but is all lost?? Years of very important information....

You will need to purchase reovery sofware such as such as FileSalvage
http://subrosasoft.com/software/filesalvage
You can download a demo copy that will tell you what it can recover
If you want to recover that you must pay for the software then
When you do the recovery, you will need another disk drive to receive the recovered files
Having install a new operating system on the disk after the retformat is going to gradually reduce the amount of data that this software will be able to recover for you
Allan

I accidently deleated file from the Elements organizor and from the hard drive. Can I get it back?

I accidently deleated a file from the Elements organizor and from the hard drive. Can I get it back? How to do it?

There's a good chance that you can if you haven't done too much work after deleting it. Typically files are not actually wiped from the hard drive, rather the space they take is marked as free to use by another file if needed. So if it hasn't been used by another file it can be recovered.
Try this program... it will help if you know where the images were stored.
http://www.piriform.com/recuva
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I need free space in my hard disk-- i want to delete all files. i want to leave my mac book like the first time.. what must to do ?

i want delete all files and leave my mac book pro like the first time. i have system 10.7.5 , i have lot of files and need memory.. what must to do ?

Install or Reinstall Mavericks or Mountain Lion from Scratch
Be sure you backup your files to an external drive or second internal drive because the following procedure will remove everything from the hard drive.
OS X Mavericks- Erase and reinstall OS X
OS X Mountain Lion- Erase and reinstall OS X
OS X Lion- Erase and reinstall Mac OS X
Note: You will need an active Internet connection. I suggest using Ethernet if possible
because it is three times faster than wireless.

Why when I delete photos (from disk) does it not clear space on my hard drive?

I went from 800 photos to 51 and my available HD space remains the same. So in total I deleted about 750 20+MB files. I should have more space free on my hard drive but there is nothing. I make sure to choose "delete from disk" as opposed to just "remove" so I can't imagine the problem. I even went back in and erased back ups in the lightroom folder wondering if maybe the images were hiding out there. Deleting back up folders made nominal difference. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Hi Rob,
You are right. It was GB not MB. I am sure the disk I am looking at is the correct one. I go to the apple, about this mac, more info, storage. Unfortunately I just hit empty trash over and over without looking to see if the files made it in. It has always cleared space before so I assumed it would this time. I do think they made it as I always heard the sound of the trash clearing but I did not actually look for the files first.
I did a lot of research yesterday as to what could be going on and found an article that said time machine backs up locally on my HD and if I want space I can disable that. I found the folder with the back ups and saw there were many. I followed the tutorial online and disabled the back ups and now the folder is gone so you would think- more space. Not one single GB was returned.
I ended up erasing music and photos from iPhoto and a few movies and space cleared when I did those things. Still wondering what happened and want the other space back. 750 raw files is a lot of space, or should be.
Wondering if there is some back up to the back up somewhere.....
Thanks for responding .. I will take all input I can get!

If I deleted a file on my Mac would Time Machine delete its copy on my external hard drive when backing up?

I just finished backing everything up onto my new 2T WD My Book Essential because my Macbook Pro is absolutely full of Photoshop files. I want to delete them from my Mac (since they're backed up) but I'm too scared Time Machine will delete them from my external hard drive.
Thanks in advance.

Move the images over to an external drive that is connected to your Mac by USB or FireWire.
Then....Time Machine will backup both your Mac..and..the hard drive automatically.
Can you elaborate on this?
I have a 128GB McAir (mid 2011 model) with a 2GB TC for backup. I need another external hard drive to save pictures and home HD videos. I wanted to partition the TC but learned that is not recommended. So now I’m looking to get two external hard drives to store priceless files and back it up.
Your comment makes me think I only need one external hard drive and use the 2GB TC as backup. A good option since 2GB is an overkill for a 128GB notebook.
Can you please share the steps? Plug in a HDD to McAir and run Time Machine? Is that it?
Thanks.

I'm a new Apple user - when I deleted some large files the available space didn't increase - I emptied the trash - am i missing a step to tidy the hard drive?

I'm a new Apple user - when I deleted some large files the available space on the hard drive in the activity monitor
didn't increase - I emptied the trash - am i missing a step to tidy the hard drive?

Open the Finder.
From the Finder menu bar top of your screen click View > Show Status Bar
You should now see the the free space available at the bottom of any Finder window and that should change after you empty the Trash.
Freeing Up Hard Disk Space - Mac GuidesFreeing Up Hard Disk Space - Mac Guides

How can I erase deleted items from the hard drive?

How can I erase deleted files from the hard drive? Will my machine run faster?

If you've already deleted the files and emptied the Trash they are already, in effect, erased. At least the disk space they occupied is now available.
To be able to offer help we need more information about which Mac you have, which OS you are running, how much RAM you have installed, how much hard disk space you have available, etc.
Go to the Apple Menu>About this Mac - copy and paste the contents of the report here (deleting the serial number of your machine). Once we have that info, I'm sure someone will have some suggestions.

If i delete a file from a smart folder is it deleted from the hard drive?

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