Other Storage includes various types of files like plugins, caches, documents, and system folders that don't fit into specific categories like applications, photos, or videos. These files don't harm your Mac but can take up space.
You may still have files and documents that you may no longer need that are still save on your Mac. Find and remove these large and unneeded documents from your Other storage.
On your desktop menu bar, click File, then click Find.
Click This Mac to ensure that the scope of the search will be all directories in your mac, then click the + sign to add a search attribute.
Click the first drop-down window, then select Others. From the Select a Search Attribute, check the option for File Extension and File size. Then click Ok.
Click the + sign again to add a search attribute. You may select File Size and File Extension. You may enter different document file types (.pdf, .pages, etc ) and file sizes to find large documents.
Review the items shown, then delete them as needed.
Review all .zip and .dmg files on your Mac which you no longer need, then remove them on your Mac:
On your desktop menu bar, click File, then click Find.
Click This Mac to ensure that the scope of the search will be all directories in your mac, then click the + sign to add a search attribute.
Click the first drop-down window, then select Others. From the Select a Search Attribute, check the option for File Extension and File size. Then click Ok.
Click the + sign again to add a search attribute. Enter .zip and .dmg file types.
Review the items shown, then delete them as needed.
Though Apps are categorized as Apps on the Storage bar, their add-ons are under the Other Storage Category. To manually remove app plugins and extensions, do the following:
For Safari
Launch Safari.
In the top menu, choose Safari, then click Preferences.
Choose the Extensions tab, then choose which extension you want to remove. Then click Uninstall.
For Chrome
Launch Chrome.
On the address bar, type chrome://extensions, then press RETURN.
Click Remove on the extensions you want to remove.
For Firefox
Launch Firefox.
Click the ☰ menu, then click Add-ons.
Choose the add-ons you want to remove. Click the ⋮ icon, then click Remove.
By default, all files that you download on your computer are saved in this folder. From time to time, we need to check and clean this folder and remove download files we no longer need anymore.
Navigate to Go > Downloads.
Select the files you no longer need, then move them to trash.
Make sure to empty the trash after.
BOOST YOUR DEVICE'S LIFESPAN AND PRODUCTIVITY
Explore strategies to enhance your device's performance and get valuable insights on safeguarding yourself against scams, maintaining network security, and protecting your personal identity.
When "Other Storage" accumulates, it can occupy valuable disk space, potentially affecting your Mac's performance by reducing available storage for your files and applications.
These files are not harmful to your Mac but if they accumulate too much space to your hard drive. Over time, it can slow down computer performance. It is a very broad list of items, including things like the following:
Documents and file types, (PDF, doc, PSD, etc.)
Archives and disk images, (zips, dmg, iso, etc.)
Personal and User data
System folders of macOS, (temporary files, swap, voices, etc.)
User library items (Application Support, iCloud files, screen savers, etc.)
Cache items (browser cache, system cache and locally-stored message media content)
Fonts and App accessories
Application plugins and app extensions
Various file and file types not recognized by Spotlight
Everything else that does not fit into the main macOS categories
"Other" is not always junk or useless files, but we recommend removing the useless content from this category.
Is It Safe to Delete Files From "Other Storage"?
Yes. However, it's crucial to identify and delete only files you no longer need to avoid accidental removal of important data.
Do I Need to Restart My Mac After Cleaning "Other Storage"?
It is not necessary, but it can help ensure a fresh start with new cache files.
How Often Should I Clean "Other Storage"?
Cleaning up "Other Storage" once every few months or when you notice your Mac's performance slowing down is a good practice. It helps maintain your Mac's efficiency.
Are there any apps that can do this automatically?
Yes! Trend Micro has Cleaner One Pro that can help automate the process of cleaning "Other Storage" and optimizing your Mac's performance.
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Other Storage includes various types of files like plugins, caches, documents, and system folders that don't fit into specific categories like applications, photos, or videos. These files don't harm your Mac but can take up space.
You may still have files and documents that you may no longer need that are still save on your Mac. Find and remove these large and unneeded documents from your Other storage.
On your desktop menu bar, click File, then click Find.
Click This Mac to ensure that the scope of the search will be all directories in your mac, then click the + sign to add a search attribute.
Click the first drop-down window, then select Others. From the Select a Search Attribute, check the option for File Extension and File size. Then click Ok.
Click the + sign again to add a search attribute. You may select File Size and File Extension. You may enter different document file types (.pdf, .pages, etc ) and file sizes to find large documents.
Review the items shown, then delete them as needed.
Review all .zip and .dmg files on your Mac which you no longer need, then remove them on your Mac:
On your desktop menu bar, click File, then click Find.
Click This Mac to ensure that the scope of the search will be all directories in your mac, then click the + sign to add a search attribute.
Click the first drop-down window, then select Others. From the Select a Search Attribute, check the option for File Extension and File size. Then click Ok.
Click the + sign again to add a search attribute. Enter .zip and .dmg file types.
Review the items shown, then delete them as needed.
Though Apps are categorized as Apps on the Storage bar, their add-ons are under the Other Storage Category. To manually remove app plugins and extensions, do the following:
For Safari
Launch Safari.
In the top menu, choose Safari, then click Preferences.
Choose the Extensions tab, then choose which extension you want to remove. Then click Uninstall.
For Chrome
Launch Chrome.
On the address bar, type chrome://extensions, then press RETURN.
Click Remove on the extensions you want to remove.
For Firefox
Launch Firefox.
Click the ☰ menu, then click Add-ons.
Choose the add-ons you want to remove. Click the ⋮ icon, then click Remove.
By default, all files that you download on your computer are saved in this folder. From time to time, we need to check and clean this folder and remove download files we no longer need anymore.
Navigate to Go > Downloads.
Select the files you no longer need, then move them to trash.
Make sure to empty the trash after.
BOOST YOUR DEVICE'S LIFESPAN AND PRODUCTIVITY
Explore strategies to enhance your device's performance and get valuable insights on safeguarding yourself against scams, maintaining network security, and protecting your personal identity.
When "Other Storage" accumulates, it can occupy valuable disk space, potentially affecting your Mac's performance by reducing available storage for your files and applications.
These files are not harmful to your Mac but if they accumulate too much space to your hard drive. Over time, it can slow down computer performance. It is a very broad list of items, including things like the following:
Documents and file types, (PDF, doc, PSD, etc.)
Archives and disk images, (zips, dmg, iso, etc.)
Personal and User data
System folders of macOS, (temporary files, swap, voices, etc.)
User library items (Application Support, iCloud files, screen savers, etc.)
Cache items (browser cache, system cache and locally-stored message media content)
Fonts and App accessories
Application plugins and app extensions
Various file and file types not recognized by Spotlight
Everything else that does not fit into the main macOS categories
"Other" is not always junk or useless files, but we recommend removing the useless content from this category.
Is It Safe to Delete Files From "Other Storage"?
Yes. However, it's crucial to identify and delete only files you no longer need to avoid accidental removal of important data.
Do I Need to Restart My Mac After Cleaning "Other Storage"?
It is not necessary, but it can help ensure a fresh start with new cache files.
How Often Should I Clean "Other Storage"?
Cleaning up "Other Storage" once every few months or when you notice your Mac's performance slowing down is a good practice. It helps maintain your Mac's efficiency.
Are there any apps that can do this automatically?
Yes! Trend Micro has Cleaner One Pro that can help automate the process of cleaning "Other Storage" and optimizing your Mac's performance.
