Yeo from Switzerland asks:
Greets Unplggd!
I've been a PC user for the longest time and I've always had to reinstall the OS every few months because of the leftover registry residues. I got fed up - so I got a Mac. I heard it didn't get as corrupted/messy as much, but after using it for 2-3 years, I'm starting to notice huge slowdowns. I upgraded my RAM to 4GB so that can't be the issue. I was wondering if there was any software out there that helps clean up my computer so I don't have to reinstall the entire OS again? Thanks!!!
Even though Mac users sometimes feel they are free from the hassles of reinstalling their OS, the truth is any application you install will leave some caches, universal binaries, unnecessary logs and languages, install preferences, support files, etc.
So, even if you uninstall it, there are times when messy coding from the application or widget developer will leave files unused on your Ma's hard drive. Like a chaotic room filled with junk slowing down your workflow, your valuable disk space, when filled with unnecessasry crap, will tend to slow down your computer over time.
We've heard of a few applications on the Mac platform that help alleviate this issue, though we honestly prefer the clean wipe since it safely ensures there's absolutely no crap left behind, but a few of those apps are: CleanMyMac and OnyX. And while both have received decent reviews, we personally have found OnyX to do a slightly better job getting rid of those junk files.
If you're looking for some software to clean up your PC, we suggest checking out CCleaner. Otherwise, does anyone out there have some tips for Yeo regarding crap removal from her Mac?
[Image: Luz]
Is there an Apple store near you and is it still under apple care? You could always go in there and ask - all of the people at my local one are very helpful about any questions I might have about my iMac.
There is also this article I found...
http://howto.wired.com/wiki/Speed_Up_Your_Mac
view cptnruthless's profile
I regularly use the app YASU (aka Yet Another System Utility) to clean my system. It's free and here:
http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/13416
view songkran's profile
I am a fan of App Cleaner for removing applications from my Mac. Just trashing the app icon often leaves behind little app-chunks around. This app helps delete them all.
view RJHD3's profile
i'm not sure if it's still considered safe to update your prebindings and Repair Disk Permissions in leopard - but i've always found that they would help speed things up a bit for myself.
to keep my mac lightweight and zippier, i make sure to have ample free hdd space and i keep in mind what applications are launching automatically when i login.
i disable Spaces and filter specific types of files for Spotlight to index. i also turn off magnification and animation in the dock (and use the Scale Effect).
quit out of all of your widgets in dashboard - i only have Calendar, weather and stock quotes open at all times. having several items on your desktop may slow down your finder as well, as the icons are technically redrawn pdf files. and i also use the 'Computer Name' Screen Saver as that is probably the least resource consuming screen saver.
to keep your machine moving fast it really is best to simply quit out of the applications you're not using or hiding/minimizing them to the dock. macs are great and all but till snow leopard is released, leopard can be a bit bloated.
view FightTheFuture's profile
I was a Mac Genius for five years. In my opinion, the best utility of this type is Disk Warrior, frequently recommended at the Genius Bar (and used by Apple internally)...
view secret_agent's profile
Guys thank you so much for all of this. I needed to do this on my home computer bad.
view marlamischief1's profile
There's a great little app (actually and Automator Action) I've been using :
http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/automator/maintenance.html
Description on Apple's page.
view NateBattles's profile
I second Disk Warrior, having used it for years as a Mac Support tech. Cocktail is great for maintenance when Disk Warrior isn't needed. Cocktail cleans out some caches and that has fixed issues on more than one occasion. Also lets you customize OSX by letting you choose the type of file a screenshot is saved to, or changing the dock, or adding your name and phone number to the login screen in case your machine goes missing or worse.
view warrenpeace's profile