Avoid a situation where you have only a few gigabytes of free hard drive space left. Macbook users run into this problem quite often because their computer does not provide that much storage. Moreover, SSDs are replacing HDDs for the sake of improving performance. But if there is not enough free disk space, you will have performance problems even with a brand-new solid-state drive.

So how does one fix the issue at hand? Well, you need to create a maintenance routine that keeps a drive at an optimal amount of free space. If you want to learn more about developing such a routine, continue reading the article for some great suggestions.

Suggestion #1 – Get A Cleanup Utility Tool

A cleanup utility tool is worth a purchase because it is something that you can often use and to a great effect. Temporary junk files that accumulate over time are a big problem to both hard drive and the overall performance of your Macbook.

Getting rid of junk files manually is a time-consuming chore. In addition, you will need to create backups because there is a possibility of accidentally deleting something. On the other hand, cleanup software solves the problem for you as you can pick which type of junk files you want to delete. Once you select, click on the “delete” or “remove” button (it depends on the software you use), and it will delete unwanted files automatically.

Suggestion #2 – Manage Your Application List

Pay closer attention to the application list. Some applications are bound to take hard drive space for no reason because you no longer use them. Yes, one could argue that most apps do not require that much space in the first place. But if you are trying to free up disk storage, then why not delete applications you no longer need? After all, you can always download and reinstall an app if you need to use one.

Suggestion #3 – Empty The Trash Bin

Not everyone remembers to empty Macbook’s Trash Bin. Putting files like email attachments or downloads in the Trash does not mean that you delete them from the computer. This only relocates them. Thus, if you really want to get rid of something, remember to empty the Trash Bin. 

Suggestion #4 – Pay Attention To Language Packs

Applications you install might have language packs that are more or less irrelevant. In most cases, people need just the English version, and keeping files for 50 or even more languages makes little sense. Make sure that you deselect support for languages you do not need when installing an app. And just to be safe, look at the list of your currently installed applications and confirm that there are no redundant language pack files.

Suggestion #5 – Check For Potential Malware

It may be that a virus or malware is at fault for the lack of hard drive space. Some cybersecurity threats slowly consume disk space, and it is difficult to trace the location of this problem without proper tools.

Get a reliable antivirus and scan the system. Remove potentially-infected files that pose a threat to the computer in case an antivirus finds any. And be more wary about malware and viruses because they are a hindrance to the overall performance of your Macbook, not just the hard drive.

Suggestion #6 – Use Cloud Services

You do not have to delete every file. There are a couple of options of transferring files to a safe location. Cloud services are one of the best examples. Dropbox and iCloud are free, though there is an option to upgrade the plan for some money in return for extra storage. You can also access files from other devices, not just the Macbook, so long as you sync those devices with the cloud. Also, cloud services help communicate digitally and share files faster.

Suggestion #7 – Transfer Files To Memory Sticks

External storage devices like memory sticks are another great method to deal with a lack of storage space on your computer. Even if you buy second-hand memory sticks or even an external hard drive, you will still benefit a lot because they usually provide more than enough space. If you have larger files that you want to keep, investing in external storage devices is one of the best options.

Suggestion #8 – Reinstall The OS

Reinstall the operating system if you feel like the situation is not improving. Some people find it hard to manage their computer data when things are in disarray. Therefore, it would be simpler to just give the Macbook a fresh start by reinstalling the OS. Though remember to back up data you want to keep with a Time Machine or another method because everything is wiped.

Conclusion

To sum it all up, the suggestions in this article should be more than enough to create a solid maintenance routine and keep your hard drive in check. Remove what is unnecessary and keep some of your important files in external storage for the most optimal setup.