My Mac HD is full. what is the best way to move my photos onto an external harddrive

The Hard Drive on my iMac (OSX Mavericks 10.9.4, 21 1/2" Mid 2011) is full.
I want to transfer all my 22,000 photos onto an external HD.
However I would like to know if I can easily access them through iPhoto as I do now, by plugging in the external HD.
Is this likely to be more of a hassle than a solution?
What do others suggest I do to free up space?
Thanks

Here are some general tips to keep your Mac's hard drive trim and slim as possible
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 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 user, iMovie has its 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
Download an app called OnyX for your version of OS X.
http://www.titanium.free.fr/downloadonyx.php
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.
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
Good Luck!

Similar Messages

What is the best way to run/install games onto an external HDD?

I would like to either install Windows on another partition on my 256GB SSD on the new rMBP and run games off an external, or install Windows on an external and games as well. What would be the most efficient (price wise) way to do this without having to sacrifice speed? I was thinking I could use an external thunderbolt hard drive, but it seems like they are all over $300 and over 1TB. I would only really need around 500GB with preferably 7200RPM speeds. Would USB 3.0 be fast enough or would I need to use thunderbolt? I prefer not to have to install 30GB games on the Windows partition on a small 256GB SSD, though I guess I could uninstall and reinstall them as I need (but does this wear down the SSD write speeds over time?) I couldn't get myself to pay another $600 to get a 512GB SSD logic board on the rMBP.
Thanks for any help. If there are alternative solutions for running games on an external feel free to recommend them.

If it is possible to install Windows on an external HDD without Bootcamp, then I'd be fine with that. The only problem I see with that is installing the necessary boot files, but it seems like it could be possible to do it manually. I've never done it before though.
Running programs off an external should be fine so long as they don't have to access Windows OS files directly (supposing Windows was installed on the internal SSD), no?

My iPhone is FULL, no memory left for photos. If I move all my photos off my iPhone, will the 'ALBUMS' and their content (pics) be blown away ? Also, what is the BEST way to clear/save photos off my iPhone ? PC, ITunes, some other app ?

My iPhone is FULL, no memory left for photos. If I move all my photos off my iPhone, will the 'ALBUMS' and their content (pics) be blown away ? Also, what is the BEST way to clear/save photos off my iPhone ? PC, ITunes, some other app ?

I use an app called FileApp to transfer photos to my PC - I can then selectively delete photos from my iPhone and still have them on my PC - just download the app to your iPhone and follow the instructions for the accompanying program for your PC - then use your iPhone cable to connect - iTunes will also start up so just close it and you will see the iPhone storage as a drive - go the DCIM folder and open the device folder and you will see your photos.

What is the best way to back up photos and videos to a dvd from iPhoto, not in iPhoto format but just in jpeg format to access on either windows or mac

what is the best way to back up photos and videos to a dvd from iPhoto, not in iPhoto format but just in jpeg format to access on either windows or mac

When you export the videos out of iPhoto be sure to select Kind = Original. Otherwise you'll just get an image file of the first frame of the video.
OT

What's the best way to move files from my old G3 to my new Intel DuoCore?

I just received my new Intel DuoCore 17" iMac. For years I have been using a much-loved G3 500 mHz iMac. The new Intel iMac is still in the box, but I believe it shipped with OS 10.4.4. The G3 runs 10.2.6. I have a dial-up connection to the Internet; currently DSL is not available in my neighborhood. What is the best way to move my files from the G3 to the Intel dc? Can I simply connect them with an Ethernet cable and transfer files directly? Or is my best bet to simply save the files I want to transfer to a disc and do it the old-fashioned way? Please forgive me in advance for my ignorance; although I have been a Mac user and supporter for many years, I am astonishingly ignorant when it comes to the best way to using both Mac hardward and software.
iMac Intel DuoCore Mac OS X (10.4.4)

There are two issues - 1. Getting the files moved over, and 2. Being able to open them on the Intel iMac.
1. This can be technically easy if you are willing to spend the time. I moved all my stuff from my old Mac to my new one by hooking the two together with an ethernet cable, directly. You would need both machines to have appropriate IP addresses. (go to the network preferences and pull down the built-in ethernet panel.) Some addresses such as 192.168.1.100 and 192.168.1.101 would work with a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0) Now go to the new iMac and make sure the finder is selected (click on the desktop) and under the "GO" menu select "Connect to Server". You will need to put in the IP address of the old machine, and later it's administrative password. Then select its hard drive from the list (possibly only one choice) and it should appear as an icon on your iMac desktop. You can open this like any other drive and just drag items to the new iMac.
2. Whether you can use all the files moved over from the old G3 is difficult to answer. You may be using Classic mode sometimes on the G3 and have some stuff created with a Classic application. You are probably aware that the new Intel iMac does not support Classic mode, so some of these files may not be useable without a bit of work (or at all, perhaps.) For instance I had to purchase Appleworks to handle some of my old Clarisworks documents because Pages couldn't understand them. Once I had them converted to Appleworks documents, I could then convert them again to Pages documents.
I had some old MacDraw Pro documents that were equally problematic.
I would advise you to get the new iMac out of the box and connected to your dialup internet connection first. Do all the software updates until running software updater says there is nothing new. Then you will be at 10.4.7 with all the latest security and fixes etc. Then disconnect from the internet and use an ethernet cable to get the stuff off the old computer.
There will be lots more to do such as moving your mail, address box entries etc. later, but this is a start.

What is the best way to move Contacts onto the iPhone?

Hi Guys,
I currently have Nokia N82, usually when i get a new Nokia (since am a TOO loyal customer) i just take a backup from the previous one and add it to the new one when i get! i hate copying to/from SIM...
Now when i want to get the iPhone what is the best way to move the Contacts??
i use a Windows machine, STILL!

For the couple of iPhones I have access to, you've got three methods to get contacts onto the device aside from moving them onto the SIM; I have found that copying to and from SIMs can leave data fields not totally aligned.
(1) Via a cloud. One uses MobileMe (via iCal/Address Book entries) and the second uses an Exchange-based cloud. Both seem to work pretty well, although I do experience an occasional lag from time to time.
(2) Via a sync on a desktop. My preferred method. Connecting to iCal/Address Book>iTunes or Outlook 2007>iTunes work very well. My only issue was that Outlook didn't work as I'd expected the first time, just as with a couple of other phones in the past (it never did work with my Motorola Z9); to "fix" the issue, I simply refreshed Outlook's contacts and rebooted Outlook - I actually had to do the same thing with iCal to "blow out the pipes" and both sync conduits work fine now.
(3) Transfer Contacts to the iPhone via email using a vCard for each contact. I use version 3.0-compatible vCard files generated from Address Book or Entourage (Mac), Outlook or just about what my business contacts generate. Just about every platform has some unique data type, but I haven't received a vCard yet the iPhone can't handle via email.
Getting your Contacts out of the iPhone. Option (1) or (2) - that's it AFAIK. I hope this helps you out!

What is the best way to move multiple formats of songs/photos/podcasts to a new computer?

For most of my life, I have used my family's home Windows desktop to establish my iTunes account with my iPod Classic (5th gen). On this computer I have:
iTunes store purchases
CD imports
Other MP3 files
Podcasts
Photos downloaded from online
Now I am in college in another city, and I won't be able to come home much, so I'm setting up iTunes on my laptop as my new "home base", as it were. I've already authorized it under the same account that I use on my desktop. What is the best way to move all of this stuff from my old computer to my new one? I'm thinking an external hard drive is the best decision, but I want the input of the Apple community. You guys are much more knowledgable than I am! Thanks!

Hey Alayna,
Welcome to Apple Support Communities, and thanks for the question! I'm not really in a position to recommend a "best" option, as there are several different ways to go. You can read over your options in the following document and decide which one works best for you:
iTunes: How to move your music to a new computer
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4527
Have a good one,
David

What is the best way to copy aperture library on to external hard drive? I am getting a message that say's "There was an error opening the database. The library could not be opened because the file system of the library's volume is unsupported".

What is the best way to copy aperture library on to external hard drive? I am getting a message that say's "There was an error opening the database. The library could not be opened because the file system of the library's volume is unsupported". What does that mean? I am trying to drag libraries (with metadata) to external HD...wondering what the best way to do that is?

Kirby Krieger wrote:
Hi Shane. Not much in the way of thoughts - - but fwiw:
How is the drive attached?
Can you open large files on the drive with other programs?
Are you running any drive compression or acceleration programs (some drives arrive with these installed)?
Can you reformat the drive and try again?
Hi Kirby,
I attached the UltraMax Plus with a USB cable. The UltraMax powers the cable so power is not an issue. I can open other files. Also, there is 500GB of files on the drive so I cannot re-format it. Although, I noted I could import the entire Aperture Library. However, I do not want to create a duplicate on my machine because that would be defeating the purpose of the external drive.
Thanks,
Shane

What's the best way to move around in a document?

Maybe I'm missing something obvious here, but what's the best way to move around in a zoomed in document?
The only method I've found so far is to drag with two fingers, which keeps resizing the document as it moves around.
No Hand Tool? No way to zoom to 100%? No way to Fill the Screen with the document?
Let me know, thanks.

Hi,
Panning is being done with two fingers, i.e. you set two fingers down on the screen and then move them in the same direction.
You can also zoom out by moving the fingers in the opposite direction as when you zoomed in.
Thanks,
Ignacio

I bought CS6 extended yesterday (yes i did). I have CS4 and lots of photo's in bridge (tagged with keywords). What is the best way to get my photos from bridge cs4 to cs6? Is there a guideline how to go about so I don't loose any of my photos/keywords? Wh

I bought CS6 extended yesterday (yes i did). I have CS4 and lots of photo's in bridge (tagged with keywords). What is the best way to get my photos from bridge cs4 to cs6? Is there a guideline how to go about: so I don't loose any of my photos/keywords? Who can help?

The Bridge General Discussion can give you the specifics of transferring your information over to Bridge CS6.

What is the Best way to move large mailboxes between datacenters?

What is the Best way to move large mailboxes between datacenters?

Hi,
Are you asking with regards to on-premises Exchange? With Microsoft Online SaaS services (aka Exchange Online) there is no control and no need to control which data center a mailbox resides in.
With regard to on-premises Exchange, you have two choices: you can move it over the WAN in which case you would either do a native mailbox move (assuming you have Exchange 2010 or later you can suspend the move after the copy so you can control the
time of the cutover) or create a database copy in the second data center and once the database copies have synchronized change the active copy.
The other choice is to move is out of band which would usually involve an offline seed of the database (you could conceivably move via PST file but that would disrupt access to the mailbox and is not really the 'best way').
In general, Exchange on-premises questions are best asked on the Exchange forum: http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/office/en-US/home?category=exchangeserver
Thanks,
Guy

HT204655 What is the best way to export a photo from OS X Photos to Photoshop?

What is the best way to export a photo from OS X Photos to Photoshop?

Just a note: if you Option-drag the thumbnail to the Desktop you'll get the original file. Regular dragging will get you the preview version or the edited version if it's been edited in Photos.

What is the best way to move my itunes from one computer to another and retain all files?

what is the best way to move my itunes from one comupter to another?

I assume you mean the media and playlists, not the iTunes application.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4527

What is the best way to move data from one array to another

I'm going to be moving data from one array to a larger array on the same RAID but different controller. (I have some extra extra drives I'm also going to be installing Retrospect so I can't just restore from a backup.)
The RAID has 450GB of production files, fonts etc.
What is the best way to move the data over?
I saw that someone had suggested using ditto. Would that be better than MacMV?
I also own Bru LE so I could use that.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Paul

Ditto is a great option -- probably the best.
ditto -rsrc src_folder /Volumes/targetvolume/targetfolder

What is the best way to move a library?

What is the best way to move my iphoto library from this computer to an external HD? And then what is the best way to remove it from this computer?

Make sure the EHD is formatted OS X Extended (journaled) with ownership set to be ignored. Drag the iPhoto library from your Pictures folder to the EHD,
When the copying is completed launch iPhoto with the Option key held down and open the library on the EHD.
Once you've confirmed that the move was successful and the EHD library is working OK you can drag the library in your Pictures folder to the Trash bin in the Dock and empty it.
OT

My Mac HD is full. what is the best way to move my photos onto an external harddrive

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for