* . *
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy & Policy
  • Contact
Sunday, August 10, 2025
Earth-News
  • Home
  • Business
  • Entertainment
    ‘Paying homage to Kansas’: Singer-songwriter Dallas Pryor shares music journey – The Topeka Capital-Journal

    Honoring Kansas: Singer-Songwriter Dallas Pryor Shares His Inspiring Musical Journey

    Alabama expands entertainment incentives to boost state’s music and creative industries – Made in Alabama

    Alabama Supercharges Entertainment Incentives to Spark Explosive Growth in Music and Creative Industries

    Peacock’s Biggest Action Show Streams 2 New Episodes Sooner Than You Think – yahoo.com

    Peacock’s Hottest Action Show Drops 2 New Episodes Sooner Than Expected!

    Themed Entertainment Design – Purdue Polytechnic

    Innovative Themed Entertainment Design: Creating Immersive Experiences

    Rachael Leigh Cook and Brandon Routh ‘Happy to Have Found Each Other’ Following Respective Divorces – yahoo.com

    Rachael Leigh Cook and Brandon Routh ‘Happy to Have Found Each Other’ Following Respective Divorces – yahoo.com

    ‘Billie Jean’ – Hyde Park Herald

    The Enduring Magic Behind ‘Billie Jean’ Revealed

  • General
  • Health
  • News

    Cracking the Code: Why China’s Economic Challenges Aren’t Shaking Markets, Unlike America’s” – Bloomberg

    Trump’s Narrow Window to Spread the Truth About Harris

    Trump’s Narrow Window to Spread the Truth About Harris

    Israel-Gaza war live updates: Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh assassinated in Iran, group says

    Israel-Gaza war live updates: Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh assassinated in Iran, group says

    PAP Boss to Niger Delta Youths, Stay Away from the Protest

    PAP Boss to Niger Delta Youths, Stay Away from the Protest

    Court Restricts Protests In Lagos To Freedom, Peace Park

    Court Restricts Protests In Lagos To Freedom, Peace Park

    Fans React to Jazz Jennings’ Inspiring Weight Loss Journey

    Fans React to Jazz Jennings’ Inspiring Weight Loss Journey

    Trending Tags

    • Trump Inauguration
    • United Stated
    • White House
    • Market Stories
    • Election Results
  • Science
  • Sports
  • Technology
    United Airlines passengers in US delayed after tech glitch halts flights – BBC

    United Airlines passengers in US delayed after tech glitch halts flights – BBC

    Preparing Students for the Technology of Tomorrow – Drug Topics

    Preparing Students Today to Thrive in Tomorrow’s Tech-Driven World

    Technology, History, and Summer Camp at the Rhode Island Computer Museum – abc6.com

    Discover Technology, History, and Summer Camp Adventures at the Rhode Island Computer Museum

    MBU showcases student work at Occupational Therapy Technology Fair – WHSV

    Discover the Most Innovative Student Projects at the Occupational Therapy Technology Fair

    BlackSky Technology Inc. (BKSY) Reports Q2 Loss, Lags Revenue Estimates – Yahoo Finance

    BlackSky Technology Inc. Reports Q2 Loss, Misses Revenue Targets

    Improved Technology Access: A Key to Closing the Healthcare Gap for African Americans – BIOENGINEER.ORG

    Trending Tags

    • Nintendo Switch
    • CES 2017
    • Playstation 4 Pro
    • Mark Zuckerberg
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Business
  • Entertainment
    ‘Paying homage to Kansas’: Singer-songwriter Dallas Pryor shares music journey – The Topeka Capital-Journal

    Honoring Kansas: Singer-Songwriter Dallas Pryor Shares His Inspiring Musical Journey

    Alabama expands entertainment incentives to boost state’s music and creative industries – Made in Alabama

    Alabama Supercharges Entertainment Incentives to Spark Explosive Growth in Music and Creative Industries

    Peacock’s Biggest Action Show Streams 2 New Episodes Sooner Than You Think – yahoo.com

    Peacock’s Hottest Action Show Drops 2 New Episodes Sooner Than Expected!

    Themed Entertainment Design – Purdue Polytechnic

    Innovative Themed Entertainment Design: Creating Immersive Experiences

    Rachael Leigh Cook and Brandon Routh ‘Happy to Have Found Each Other’ Following Respective Divorces – yahoo.com

    Rachael Leigh Cook and Brandon Routh ‘Happy to Have Found Each Other’ Following Respective Divorces – yahoo.com

    ‘Billie Jean’ – Hyde Park Herald

    The Enduring Magic Behind ‘Billie Jean’ Revealed

  • General
  • Health
  • News

    Cracking the Code: Why China’s Economic Challenges Aren’t Shaking Markets, Unlike America’s” – Bloomberg

    Trump’s Narrow Window to Spread the Truth About Harris

    Trump’s Narrow Window to Spread the Truth About Harris

    Israel-Gaza war live updates: Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh assassinated in Iran, group says

    Israel-Gaza war live updates: Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh assassinated in Iran, group says

    PAP Boss to Niger Delta Youths, Stay Away from the Protest

    PAP Boss to Niger Delta Youths, Stay Away from the Protest

    Court Restricts Protests In Lagos To Freedom, Peace Park

    Court Restricts Protests In Lagos To Freedom, Peace Park

    Fans React to Jazz Jennings’ Inspiring Weight Loss Journey

    Fans React to Jazz Jennings’ Inspiring Weight Loss Journey

    Trending Tags

    • Trump Inauguration
    • United Stated
    • White House
    • Market Stories
    • Election Results
  • Science
  • Sports
  • Technology
    United Airlines passengers in US delayed after tech glitch halts flights – BBC

    United Airlines passengers in US delayed after tech glitch halts flights – BBC

    Preparing Students for the Technology of Tomorrow – Drug Topics

    Preparing Students Today to Thrive in Tomorrow’s Tech-Driven World

    Technology, History, and Summer Camp at the Rhode Island Computer Museum – abc6.com

    Discover Technology, History, and Summer Camp Adventures at the Rhode Island Computer Museum

    MBU showcases student work at Occupational Therapy Technology Fair – WHSV

    Discover the Most Innovative Student Projects at the Occupational Therapy Technology Fair

    BlackSky Technology Inc. (BKSY) Reports Q2 Loss, Lags Revenue Estimates – Yahoo Finance

    BlackSky Technology Inc. Reports Q2 Loss, Misses Revenue Targets

    Improved Technology Access: A Key to Closing the Healthcare Gap for African Americans – BIOENGINEER.ORG

    Trending Tags

    • Nintendo Switch
    • CES 2017
    • Playstation 4 Pro
    • Mark Zuckerberg
No Result
View All Result
Earth-News
No Result
View All Result
Home Science

How to delete system data on a Mac

June 23, 2024
in Science
How to delete system data on a Mac
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

If you are struggling with not enough storage and trying to make more space on your Mac, Apple helpfully outlines ways to save space and shows some mysteriously named elements taking up storage space. In macOS Ventura and later, If you click on the Apple logo> About This Mac> More Info> General> Storage Settings (or in macOS Monterey and older: Apple logo> About This Mac> Storage), you will see lots of information about what is taking up space on your Mac as well as tips to help you manage it.

Among some mysteriously named elements taking up storage space you may see the likes of System, System Data, macOS and Other and wonder if you can delete them. We address how to delete Other on a Mac in a separate article. Here we will be addressing System and System Data.

Note: Apple has made various changes to the way it displays this information in macOS Ventura and macOS Sonoma, so we have updated this article to reflect this. As a result, you will see examples pre- and post-Ventura. To find out more read How Apple has revamped System Preferences in macOS Ventura.

PROMOTION

CleanMyMac X | Free up System storage

Can you delete System on the Mac?

First, we’ll address why you might want to delete System or System Data on your Mac and whether you should.

If your Mac is low on storage it can cause problems. You might see a message that your start-up disk is almost full, for example, and if you ignore that you might find you can’t even start up your Mac! Low storage can also slow your Mac down and cause other issues that stop it from running at its best. You may also find that you can’t install an update to macOS if you don’t have enough free storage. If you aren’t sure how to see how much disk space your Mac has read: How to check how much disk space you have.

We’ll assume that you’ve already been confronted by System or System Data taking up an astonishing amount of storage on your Mac and are thinking that you’d quite like that 50GB or so back.

The question of whether you can reclaim any of the space given over to this class of storage is complicated somewhat by the fact that Apple seems to give it a new name with every version of macOS, as you can see from the images below:

macOS Ventura & Sonoma: System Data (and macOS)

Ventura showing Storage MacIn Ventura, you can see how much space is being taken up by System Data
Ventura showing Storage MacIn Ventura, you can see how much space is being taken up by System Data

Foundry

Ventura showing Storage MacIn Ventura, you can see how much space is being taken up by System Data

Foundry

Foundry

macOS Monterey: macOS

macOS in storageIn Monterey what was previously System is labeled as macOS. It’s essentially the same thing.
macOS in storageIn Monterey what was previously System is labeled as macOS. It’s essentially the same thing.

Foundry

macOS in storageIn Monterey what was previously System is labeled as macOS. It’s essentially the same thing.

Foundry

Foundry

macOS Big Sur: System (and Other)

Regardless of the version of macOS you are running, those graphs indicate how much of your storage is attributed to certain types of files on your Mac. As you can see from the image above, System was using up 19.63GB on our Mac in Big Sur, but the number is a little more concerning in Ventura at almost 47GB. For each user, the System size is different so it’s possible it can be even bigger.

Whether it’s referred to as System, System Storage, macOS, or something else, you can reduce the amount of space taken up by this section of storage, but you will need to identify what is being attributed as Storage (or whatever Apple’s named it in your version of macOS).

Follow the steps below to find out what’s in System or System data so you can free up some space on your Mac.

What is in System or System Data in Mac storage (or macOS)?

Whether Apple calls it System, System Data, or macOS, this is a catch-all title for various elements that are spread across your Mac’s drive. Essentially these are all the same thing: files that don’t fall into the other categories, usually data and files used by macOS, caches, temporary files, backups, plug-ins and so on.

It’s also the operating system files, which you obviously can’t delete. But there are aspects you can delete including old Time Machine snapshots, iOS backups, cache files, any downloaded disc images for upgrading apps or macOS, and, if you’ve enabled the FileVault encryption feature, files associated with that. We also have an article that explains how to delete cache on a Mac.

How to delete System or System Data on a Mac

Apple offers up various ways to delete data from your Mac. How you access Apple’s recommendations depends on the version of macOS you are using.

macOS Ventura, Sonoma and later

In macOS Ventura or later, you no longer see these Recommendations in an easy-to-navigate list (it seems that some people may still see these if they haven’t already implemented them). Instead, if you go to Apple logo> About This Mac> More Info> General> Storage you will need to click on the (i) beside the various storage categories. Then you can do things like Empty Trash, erase Documents, and delete Messages attachments, for example.

How delete System VenturaIn Ventura, you can work through the various categories to reclaim storage
How delete System VenturaIn Ventura, you can work through the various categories to reclaim storage

Foundry

How delete System VenturaIn Ventura, you can work through the various categories to reclaim storage

Foundry

Foundry

However, what Apple doesn’t grant you access to is exactly what we are in interested in here: System Data and macOS.

Click on System Data in Ventura and you see nothing. Similarly, System and macOS are both grayed out in older versions of macOS.

There’s a good reason for this, of course, if you delete things from System, System Data and macOS you are much more likely to damage your Mac. That is why Apple doesn’t make it simple to delete anything from System, System Data or macOS. But you can.

There is no Clear System or Delete System button available in macOS, so you’ll have to manage the storage yourself. In the sections below we will explain how to delete each type of System file. 

While it’s possible to manually delete the various files included in the System category, we’d recommend that you only do so if you’re confident you know what you’re doing. It’s easy to accidentally delete an important file, only to discover it causes problems later on. If disaster does strike, try some of the tips in how to recover deleted files on Mac.

Another option is to use Termina, but this is one for the pros. We explain the process here: How to delete files and folders using Terminal.

Before removing anything at all, we’d suggest running a full backup of your Mac’s storage, just so you can return it to the previous state if any problems arise. Read how to backup a Mac and best Mac backup software for more details.

Alternatively, the safer option would be to use a system clean-up app like MacPaw’s CleanMyMac X, Software Ambience’s Daisy Disk, or Nektony’s MacCleaner Pro. You can find reviews of those tools, along with several more, in our roundup of the best Mac cleaner software and optimisation utilities. These apps can safely delete the files you don’t need so you don’t have to worry about finding and identifying files that are safe to delete.

Pre Ventura

Before Apple launched Ventura you could click on the Apple logo> About This Mac> Storage> Manage and then work through Apple’s Recommendations (which included things like Optimize Storage, empty Trash automatically, Reduce Clutter).

You could also peruse the sidebar on the left and click on each category to open a new window with details of what you can delete.

How to delete System on Mac: Storage detailsApple offered various Recommendations to help you clear space – but stopped short of granting System access
How to delete System on Mac: Storage detailsApple offered various Recommendations to help you clear space – but stopped short of granting System access

Foundry

How to delete System on Mac: Storage detailsApple offered various Recommendations to help you clear space – but stopped short of granting System access

Foundry

Foundry

What to delete to clear System storage and System Data on a Mac

Follow these steps to delete the various things that make up System storage or System data.

Step 1: Remove Time Machine snapshots

One of the main culprits for taking up space in System is the local snapshots Time Machine creates each day. You might think that Time Machine backups are only saved to an external disk, but Apple also creates local snapshots on your startup volume. The company says that these snapshots will only be saved if there is plenty of free space and old snapshots will automatically be deleted when new ones are made.

This is great if you accidentally save in correct changes to a document, or delete something you didn’t mean to, but it can take up space on your Mac that you might prefer to have access to.

Luckily there is an easy method for removing local snapshots from your storage. You can simply turn off the Time Machine feature itself, which will remove all of the local snapshots stored on your Mac. There is also a slightly more complicated method using Terminal. We explain both in our step-by-step guide for removing these space-stealing artefacts, so read how to delete Time Machine backups on Mac to find the easy way to remove them.

Step 2: Remove old iOS backups

Another System space hog are old backups of your iPhone or iPad. These can use unnecessary space on your Mac, so it’s a good idea to clear them out once in a while. Depending on which version of macOS you’re using, here’s how to quickly dispense with them.

If you have iPhone back ups on your Mac (and you are running macOS Catalina of later) you will find them in the Finder (older versions of macOS used iTunes).

Open the Finder

Click on your iPhone in the left-hand menu

Select Manage Backups

Highlight the ones you no longer need

Click Delete Backup then confirm your choice

If you don’t see your iPhone here you probably don’t have any back ups on your Mac, probably preferring to back up your iPhone via iCloud instead.

If you are using macOS Mojave or earlier then you’ll need to use the now defunct iTunes for this:

Open iTunes

Select iTunes (in the top left corner) then Preferences

Choose the Devices tab from the window that appears

Highlight the backups you no longer need

Click Delete backup

Step 3: Delete data from the System folder

That’s taken care of two of the biggest users of System storage on the Mac, what about everything else?

Everything else you might want to delete from System is hidden away in the Library folder(s). Apple likes to keep the Library folders hidden, presumably to prevent users from accidentally moving or deleting essential files. But if you want to access that part of your storage, then it’s possible via a menu option in Finder.

What’s important is that you know what you are doing and don’t just delete things willy nilly.

There are actually multiple ways to make the hidden Library folder visible, read how to show hidden files on Mac for more details about finding hidden files.

To grant yourself temporary access to the Library folder follow these steps:

Open a new Finder window

Go to your Home folder (press Command + Shift + H)

Right click and choose Show View Options from the menu

Enable the option to Show Library Folder 

Now you have access to the Library folder you’ll able to open the Library folder and look for the files that you suspect are taking up room on your drive.

At this stage it is really important to exercise caution and only delete things that you know are superfluous. If you aren’t sure that you should delete something don’t. Our advice is that if you don’t feel comfortable doing this yourself you should use a specialist app to do it for you.

Best apps for deleting System files

The best option in our opinion really is to use a dedicated optimisation utility, so take a look at our guide to the best Mac cleaner software and optimisation utilities as it provides the easiest method for keeping your Mac in tip-top condition.

Our best Mac cleaner solutions include the following, among others:

MacPaw CleanMyMac X

Nektony MacCleaner Pro

Software Ambience Daisy Disk

Parallels Toolbox (Read our review of Parallels Toolbox)

MacBooster

When we wanted to recover storage space when we were attempting to install macOS Big Sur we relied on CleanMyMac X which has a tool for clearing System Junk. CleanMyMac X is $29.95/£29.95 right now if you buy the plan for one Mac. There is also a free trial. Download from developer MacPaw here.

You can also reduce the amount of wasted storage on your device by following the tips in how to free up space on Mac. For more advice read our tips for cleaning up your Mac to make it run faster.

>>> Read full article>>>
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source : MacWorld – https://www.macworld.com/article/676493/how-to-delete-system-storage-on-mac.html

Tags: Deletesciencesystem
Previous Post

Lawsuit could challenge trust in Ozempic and other popular weight loss drugs

Next Post

The best mouse and trackpad for your Mac or MacBook

New filtration system to help Boat Haven meet Ecology standards – Port Townsend Leader

New filtration system to help Boat Haven meet Ecology standards – Port Townsend Leader

August 10, 2025

Kamin Science Center Is Prepared for Liftoff! – Carnegie Science Center

August 10, 2025
After 48 years at UW, Ed Lazowska reflects on computer science, education, AI, and what’s next – GeekWire

After 48 years at UW, Ed Lazowska reflects on computer science, education, AI, and what’s next – GeekWire

August 10, 2025
Outdoor lifestyle store ‘Sierra’ opening Saturday at Eastwood Mall Complex – WFMJ.com

Outdoor lifestyle store ‘Sierra’ opening Saturday at Eastwood Mall Complex – WFMJ.com

August 10, 2025
United Airlines passengers in US delayed after tech glitch halts flights – BBC

United Airlines passengers in US delayed after tech glitch halts flights – BBC

August 10, 2025
Jakorian Bennett took an improbable road to the Eagles; now he gets another opportunity to overcome adversity – CBS Sports

Jakorian Bennett took an improbable road to the Eagles; now he gets another opportunity to overcome adversity – CBS Sports

August 10, 2025
As AI “Besties” rise, can we hold on to what makes us human? – Psychology Today

As AI “Besties” Become Our New Norm, Can We Still Preserve What Makes Us Truly Human?

August 9, 2025
US Economic Growth Shows Cracks – Real Investment Advice

US Economic Growth Confronts Fresh Challenges on the Horizon

August 9, 2025
‘Paying homage to Kansas’: Singer-songwriter Dallas Pryor shares music journey – The Topeka Capital-Journal

Honoring Kansas: Singer-Songwriter Dallas Pryor Shares His Inspiring Musical Journey

August 9, 2025
Excessive screen time among youth may pose heart health risks – www.heart.org

Too Much Screen Time in Youth Could Harm Heart Health

August 9, 2025

Categories

Archives

August 2025
MTWTFSS
 123
45678910
11121314151617
18192021222324
25262728293031
« Jul    
Earth-News.info

The Earth News is an independent English-language daily published Website from all around the World News

Browse by Category

  • Business (20,132)
  • Ecology (763)
  • Economy (785)
  • Entertainment (21,662)
  • General (16,380)
  • Health (9,825)
  • Lifestyle (796)
  • News (22,149)
  • People (787)
  • Politics (795)
  • Science (15,999)
  • Sports (21,283)
  • Technology (15,766)
  • World (768)

Recent News

New filtration system to help Boat Haven meet Ecology standards – Port Townsend Leader

New filtration system to help Boat Haven meet Ecology standards – Port Townsend Leader

August 10, 2025

Kamin Science Center Is Prepared for Liftoff! – Carnegie Science Center

August 10, 2025
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy & Policy
  • Contact

© 2023 earth-news.info

No Result
View All Result

© 2023 earth-news.info

No Result
View All Result

© 2023 earth-news.info

Go to mobile version