MoseySusan ★ Posted January 17 Share #1 Posted January 17 It stores info about its history of use in a file called System. That file now takes up 109+ GB of my 121 GB storage capacity making it impossible to update the OS. I’ve been on a Mac service chat for two hours, they know System fills itself, they sidestep the issue, they know a MacBook turns into a $1200 paperweight eventually. Functionally, no more powerful than a $280 laptop. Damn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Razors Edge ★ Posted January 17 Share #2 Posted January 17 This process seemed straightforward. If it's a bunch of older log or temp files, sweeping that seems prudent. What is System Data Storage on a Mac? System Data contains files that do not fall into categories such as Documents, Apps, iCloud Drive, Photos, Other Users, etc.. The primary files it includes are: Log files and caches. Temporary files. VM files. Fonts and plug-ins. App support files. Files and data used by the system. Runtime system resources. The size of System Data varies depending on the state of your Mac. Since some of the files mentioned above are not necessary, you can delete them to lessen their impact on your storage. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bikeman564™ Posted January 17 Share #3 Posted January 17 mac🙄 Windows creates restore points, which are large files. But older ones are overwritten. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Razors Edge ★ Posted January 17 Share #4 Posted January 17 FTR, iPhones (and iPads) use the same "storage" tracking and similar clean-up/removal process. It's not too cumbersome, but YMMV. My iPhone suggests I remove 6gigs of videos in my text messages. My brother regularly texts video of my nephews at events & games. Usually I save them to my camera roll, but sometimes I forgot or don't bother. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoseySusan ★ Posted January 17 Author Share #5 Posted January 17 1 hour ago, Razors Edge said: FTR, iPhones (and iPads) use the same "storage" tracking and similar clean-up/removal process. It's not too cumbersome, but YMMV. My iPhone suggests I remove 6gigs of videos in my text messages. My brother regularly texts video of my nephews at events & games. Usually I save them to my camera roll, but sometimes I forgot or don't bother. iCloud storage helps with shared photos and videos. 2 hours ago, Razors Edge said: If it's a bunch of older log or temp files, sweeping that seems prudent I contacted Apple support instead of following online advice. They insisted I leave System alone. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsharr ★ Posted January 17 Share #6 Posted January 17 System has sensory input issues and is easily angered, much like Super Happy Fun Ball. Do not taunt Super Happy Fun Ball. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Razors Edge ★ Posted January 17 Share #7 Posted January 17 19 minutes ago, MoseySusan said: I contacted Apple support instead of following online advice. They insisted I leave System alone. System Data: Contains files that don’t fall into the categories listed here. This category primarily includes files and data used by the system, such as log files, caches, VM files, and other runtime system resources. Also included are temporary files, fonts, app support files, and plug-ins. You can’t manage the contents of this category. The contents are managed by macOS, and the category varies in size depending on the current state of your Mac. You can manage your data that falls outside the other categories using the Finder or the third-party apps that created it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsharr ★ Posted January 17 Share #8 Posted January 17 4 minutes ago, Razors Edge said: System Data: Contains files that don’t fall into the categories listed here. This category primarily includes files and data used by the system, such as log files, caches, VM files, and other runtime system resources. Also included are temporary files, fonts, app support files, and plug-ins. You can’t manage the contents of this category. The contents are managed by macOS, and the category varies in size depending on the current state of your Mac. You can manage your data that falls outside the other categories using the Finder or the third-party apps that created it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoseySusan ★ Posted January 17 Author Share #9 Posted January 17 11 minutes ago, Razors Edge said: You can’t manage the contents of this category Emphasis theirs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Razors Edge ★ Posted January 17 Share #10 Posted January 17 2 minutes ago, MoseySusan said: Emphasis theirs. What version are you on and how long have you been using it? I'd be interested to see what the growth rate is over time - like a steady growth rate or more tied to specific actions (like updates to the version like 12.1 ->12.2 or actual version updates like 12.2 -> 13.1). Likewise, would there be a process to do what I used to do in Windows which was yank the HD, slap in a new HD, reinstall fresh, migrate data back onto the new HD, and add back any software I still wanted. I know many Macs are not as easy to swap HDs in & out, but I do like that process from my Windows days since it also created a great archive of my data. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoseySusan ★ Posted January 17 Author Share #11 Posted January 17 2 minutes ago, Razors Edge said: Likewise, would there be a process to do what I used to do in Windows which was yank the HD, slap in a new HD, reinstall fresh, migrate data back onto the new HD, and add back any software I still wanted I could take it to the Apple service desk to see if this is an option. It’s stuck at Mojave. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Razors Edge ★ Posted January 17 Share #12 Posted January 17 12 minutes ago, MoseySusan said: I could take it to the Apple service desk to see if this is an option. It’s stuck at Mojave. Stuck in the Stone Age is more like it I doubt they'd be happy installing a fresh copy of Mojave, but it does look like it is still available in the Apple Store, so it could be done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoseySusan ★ Posted January 17 Author Share #13 Posted January 17 10 minutes ago, Razors Edge said: be happy installing a fresh copy of Mojave, but it does look like it is still available in the Apple Store, so it could be done. Bleh. I’d need 13 or higher to download the Office suite. It’s not happening on this machine. So, I bought a wireless mouse to use with our HP laptop that runs Windows 10 and has Office. The trackpad skips around. There are burned out cells on the screen, but it works for what I need. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bikeguy Posted January 18 Share #14 Posted January 18 7 hours ago, Razors Edge said: This process seemed straightforward. If it's a bunch of older log or temp files, sweeping that seems prudent. What is System Data Storage on a Mac? System Data contains files that do not fall into categories such as Documents, Apps, iCloud Drive, Photos, Other Users, etc.. The primary files it includes are: Log files and caches. Temporary files. VM files. Fonts and plug-ins. App support files. Files and data used by the system. Runtime system resources. The size of System Data varies depending on the state of your Mac. Since some of the files mentioned above are not necessary, you can delete them to lessen their impact on your storage. I'm a Windows guy... I looked at this I suspect there must be software you can use (probably for a price) to clean the 'System' data out. Years ago... I used to write .BAT files in DOS to clean crap out of the various file locations Windows uses. Now I just let Norton Utilities do the work of cleaning the crap out of my Windows computers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdc2000 Posted January 18 Share #15 Posted January 18 Possibly useful links: https://macpaw.com/how-to/clear-system-storage-mac https://www.macworld.com/article/676493/how-to-delete-system-storage-on-mac.html https://www.macube.com/how-to/clear-system-storage-on-mac.html https://mackeeper.com/blog/mac-system-storage-cleaning/ 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Razors Edge ★ Posted January 18 Share #16 Posted January 18 8 hours ago, jdc2000 said: Possibly useful links: https://macpaw.com/how-to/clear-system-storage-mac https://www.macworld.com/article/676493/how-to-delete-system-storage-on-mac.html https://www.macube.com/how-to/clear-system-storage-on-mac.html https://mackeeper.com/blog/mac-system-storage-cleaning/ I think most of those would be addressing the stuff users can modify, but the "System Data" seems to have it's own rules and users aren't given the option to mess with it. Honestly, any 8-ish yr old computer does start to show its age, and that's why I've always been a fan of the "wipe and add back" process for any of my older systems. A LOT of stuff builds up over the years, and stuff that had relevance and a reason for being on the computer in 2015 might not have relevance in 2023. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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