Disk Space Help

[iabm]

Hi all,

I'm still working from my Macbook, 13-inch, 2017, I got a notification to say my disk is almost full. I have

3.34 GB available of 121.02 GB left. I don't have that much on my laptop, or at least I didn't think I did. I use OneDrive and have all my documents etc. in the Cloud and I have minimal other files.

This is what my disk space looks like:

System data seems to take up a lot of space. I've never noticed this before and wondered if there is a way to reduce it?

I was only looking at the a week or so back when I deleted all my images from Messages to reduce space.

Could anyone suggest how I can reduce this, please and how I can get some space back.

Thanks!
B.

 

[hobowankenobi]

First thoughts:

Most cloud sync tools like OneDrive, DropBox, etc., have the option to synchronize files...meaning they are on the cloud server AND on your computer, so no space savings. Verify how OneDrive is behaving.

There are lots of third-party tools that do a better job of showing exactly what one has on a Mac, and where. I like Omni Disk Sweeper to show what files are on a Mac, and most importantly, sort by size to see what is eating space.

 

[hobowankenobi]

On the OneDrive side, check preferences that you have Files On-Demand selected, and verify that most of your data files and folder have the cloud icon with the down arrow, which symbolizes that the files are on the server and ready to be downloaded.

For Disk Sweeper: once you run it, simply select the drive and click the big Sweep Disk button. Wait for it to finish "sizing" the drive, and you will see everything sorted and color-coded by size.

 

[iabm]

First thoughts:

Most cloud sync tools like OneDrive, DropBox, etc., have the option to synchronize files...meaning they are on the cloud server AND on your computer, so no space savings. Verify how OneDrive is behaving.

There are lots of third-party tools that do a better job of showing exactly what one has on a Mac, and where. I like Omni Disk Sweeper to show what files are on a Mac, and most importantly, sort by size to see what is eating space.

Thanks or the reply!

OneDrive I always right click and use free up space so it puts them back online only. Or so it says it does anyway.

I've downloaded that app - would it be useful for me to share a screenshot of the app with what it has found?

B.

 

[hobowankenobi]

Sure. You can cross out anything that you don't want to share. Will look like this.

 

[Honza1]

Start Disk Utility, click on likely "data" under the "Macintosh HD", and check the APFS snapshots. Delete any snapshots you do not need (likely all) - especially ones with large Size. This should be done automatically when you have low space but fails sometimes.
Explanation has been provided many times here in discussions that deleting file does not increase available disk space. Very long story...

 

[Fishrrman]

OP:

Download DiskWave from here:

DiskWave Homepage

It's small in size and free.

Open DiskWave and go to the preferences.
Put a checkmark in "show invisible files".
Close preferences.

The DiskWave window shows you all your volumes and drives in plain English (no ridiculous graphical formats).
Click on any item "on the left".
Now, you'll see what's ON the volume, listed in order of "largest to smallest".
You can easily locate what's eating up your space.

 

[ignatius345]

DaisyDisk is another option for assessing disk usage. Has a very nice, intuitive interface.

But also, a 128 GB drive is just going to fill up very very fast. If you're considering an upgrade, even a base model M1 or M2 Air will come with 2x the storage you've got now.

 

[iabm]

Thanks for the replies. This is what it shows.

I have another 2020 MBP to use which I've not used yet (I bought it thinking I would and didn't).

I can move over to that one if need be.

I don't think the other half would be too happy if I bought a new one... just yet!

 

[hobowankenobi]

I see at the top in your image that it says "sizing", which means the scan is not yet complete.

It can take a little time, as it is actually scanning, not just reading the search index (as Spotlight does, which makes it so fast). Let it finish...so sizing is no longer showing.

If you let it finish, the totals should match very closely to the space used on the drive. If the total does not...there are instances where one has to run a tool like this as Root (which is an extra step) because the app does not have access to certain areas of the volume.