Startup disk is full

[zenhead]

To make a long question short, will a clean install clear out debris from my startup disk? I get the "startup disk is full," But there's no files to delete - no photos or music or video or applications. "About this mac" says there is 42 g of "other," 14 g of apps, which as far as I can tell there isn't. SO - if I do a clean install, will it restore the startup disk?

 

[chrfr]

To make a long question short, will a clean install clear out debris from my startup disk? I get the "startup disk is full," But there's no files to delete - no photos or music or video or applications. "About this mac" says there is 42 g of "other," 14 g of apps, which as far as I can tell there isn't. SO - if I do a clean install, will it restore the startup disk?

You’d have to reformat, which of course will free up space but 64GB will always be a challenge to keep space free. What sort of computer do you have?

 

[Fishrrman]

OP:

Do you use Time Machine?
If so, TURN IT OFF, and DELETE "local backups".

Something is eating up your space, you have to find out what it is.
Here's an easy way (so easy, you can do it RIGHT NOW):
Download the free little app called "DiskWave":
https://diskwave.barthe.ph

Open DiskWave.
Go to the prefs and make normally-invisible files VISIBLE.
Then, just click on your drive icon, you'll see what happens next.
What is using up the space?

 

[hobowankenobi]

Yes, you need to clear space.

As Fishrrrman noted, you should use a tool (there are several good ones) that shows you everything, and sorts by size.

Delete stuff that is yours/that you recognize, and you don't need. Other stuff...if you are unsure, post back here before you start chopping stuff that might be essential.