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Cleaning program recommendations

chumps52

chumps52

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Jan 9, 2013
333
449
Scotland
What do you use, if anything, to do general disk cleanup? Cache files and the like.
In the past I've used AppCleaner when uninstalling apps, and CCleaner for general cleanup - although I'm not sure this is the best and am looking for free (or at least non-subscription model) cleaning tools. I've heard of CleanMyMac and MacCleaner, but just wanted some testimonials/recommendations please.
 
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I have used OnyX for years. I first heard about it on a Mac troubleshooting site, MacInTouch, that used to have a busy community forum (the site owner recently changed the site to a blog format mostly due to revenue problems).

Titanium Software | Operating System Utilities for Mac - OnyX

OnyX is a multifunction utility that you can use to verify the startup disk and the structure of its system files, perform cleaning and computer maintenance tasks, configure some hidden parameters of many Apple applications, and more.
titanium-software.fr titanium-software.fr
 
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chumps52 said:
What do you use, if anything, to do general disk cleanup? Cache files and the like.
In the past I've used AppCleaner when uninstalling apps, and CCleaner for general cleanup - although I'm not sure this is the best and am looking for free (or at least non-subscription model) cleaning tools. I've heard of CleanMyMac and MacCleaner, but just wanted some testimonials/recommendations please.
Click to expand...

Recommendation: Avoid them. Their benefit is negligible... and most of what they actually do clean up is cache files that get rebuild as needed and deleted as their resources are needed.
 
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I don't do anything (for disc 'cleanup' or anything similar).

My usage is pretty simple, though. But these days I don't know how much the operating system is already taking care of these things, and with so much advancement in the processors being used and how much storage and RAM most users have, I don't think is very important.

Just my point of view.
 
I have used OnyX for years. As some of the other folks have mentioned it is not as big of a requirement as it was years ago, but anecdotally when my machine starts running slow or I have odd things happen I will generally run it. It does not hurt anything run and it does clean up cached files.
 
I don't do anything such as cache cleanup, but DaisyDisk discovered instances where a huge amount of disk space was being wasted.
 
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I installed Parallels Toolkit the other day, has a million little applets (most of them less than useful) including what seems to be a decent disk cleaner...$20 for a year, will use it until something better comes along.
 
Every now and then I go into
home/library/caches
... and then, just type command-a to "select all", move everything inside this folder to the trash, and delete the lot of it.

I also use an old free app called "Yasu" now and then.
 
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KaliYoni said:
I have used OnyX for years. I first heard about it on a Mac troubleshooting site, MacInTouch, that used to have a busy community forum (the site owner recently changed the site to a blog format mostly due to revenue problems).

Titanium Software | Operating System Utilities for Mac - OnyX

OnyX is a multifunction utility that you can use to verify the startup disk and the structure of its system files, perform cleaning and computer maintenance tasks, configure some hidden parameters of many Apple applications, and more.
titanium-software.fr titanium-software.fr
Click to expand...

mmkerc said:
I have used OnyX for years. As some of the other folks have mentioned it is not as big of a requirement as it was years ago, but anecdotally when my machine starts running slow or I have odd things happen I will generally run it. It does not hurt anything run and it does clean up cached files.
Click to expand...

Does Onyx remove pieces of erased programs left over in your library?
I looked at CleanYourMacX which seems to work, but requires a subscription that I am not doing.
If Onyx does not remove left overs, is there a Mac program that does and does not insist on a subscription?
 
I have used cccleaner for years and liked it. This morning I got notice about a new version 2.2. Installed it but as far as I can tell it actually doesn't work. I use primarily to clean browser cookies. The old version you had a list of cookies you wanted to keep and it kept them. New version I think has a list but it didn't keep the list from old version and when I added back sites I wanted it still didn't keep those cookies. The new modern interface is also much harder to use.
I deleted the new version and restored old from backup. So be ware = might work for you but doesn't for me.
 
There's a member here who used to post a response to all threads about uninstalling things and the bits stored in seemingly random places. I don't know if he is still active. Anyway, he claimed that no software will remove absolutely everything and that the best (or only) way to do that is manual deletion. Of course, that means you have to find them.
 
"Anyway, he claimed that no software will remove absolutely everything and that the best (or only) way to do that is manual deletion. Of course, that means you have to find them."

When I need to "get rid of" an app, I use the free "AppCleaner".
Get it here:

Then, do this:
1. Open AppCleaner
2. Open your Applications folder (in the finder)
3. Grab the app you want to delete, and "drag and drop" it into AppCleaner's window.
4. AppCleaner will "look around" and gather up all the files related to the app.
5. If any are "unchecked", put a check into them.
6. Click the "remove" button, and they're ALL moved to the trash.
7. Close AppCleaner and empty the trash.
8. Gone!

I'm guessing there might be a few applications that AppCleaner can't "clean out" (perhaps Adobe stuff, Microsoft stuff, etc.). Those software publishers usually make available a standalone "uninstall" utility to get rid of them.
 
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Huntn said:
Does Onyx remove pieces of erased programs left over in your library?
Click to expand...
From OnyX Help:

You can use this option to delete some files related to the applications.

In the Maintenance pane, select the Applications checkbox, then click the Options button to access advanced settings.

Applications cache: You can use this option to remove the applications cache files. The deletion of these files recovers some space and prevents a damaged file from impacting computer functions.
You should use this command occasionally. A slight temporary decrease in speed will be observed.

Saved application states: When you quit an application, its state (open windows, their sizes, and positions) is automatically saved, unless you select the "Close windows when quitting an app" checkbox in the General pane of System Preferences.

Audio Units plug-ins cache: Audio Units are plug-ins that can be used to process audio by applications such as Final Cut Pro X, GarageBand, Logic Pro X, and MainStage. You can use this option to delete the cache files of these plug-ins.

Java and Java Applets cache: Java temporarily stores applications and applets from webpages you visit that use the Java Plug-in. You can use this option to clear the cache of those files so that new versions are downloaded when the pages are revisited. This can resolve some issues when the cached files are out-of-date.
 
Fishrrman said:
I'm guessing there might be a few applications that AppCleaner can't "clean out" (perhaps Adobe stuff, Microsoft stuff, etc.).Those software publishers usually make available a standalone "uninstall" utility to get rid of them
Click to expand...
Nope. Adobe sticks like excrement to a blanket. I persisted though, do a search.
 
I've got a lot of unsightly app library build-up (e.g. ~/Library/Application Support and Preferences). In recent years, I've used AppCleaner which does a good-enough job, but there are still remnants from many many (many) system upgrades from my pre-AppCleaner days. Is there anything that will go through ~/Library, and look for orphans, and offer to delete them? Kind of a retroactive AppCleaner.

Thanks!
 
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