MacBook Air and Dropbox

Annie1960

Hi Roland


It seems as though I don't have enough storage space! I need 18.5GB, but only have 11.52GB free.



However, when I go to Finder and add up all the space I'm using, it only adds up to 52.8GB, so I'm not sure what's happened to the rest of my storage space!


Any ideas?

Roland_Sausage

Empty the trash and see if that helps!

It could be hidden files that Finder doesn't show. Try installing Disk Inventory X or similar and that should show you what is using all your disk space.

Roland_Sausage

The disk space issue is a good reason to upgrade by the way. The later versions of MacOS can offload a lot of stuff to iCloud storage as and when needed, in order to free up space.

Annie1960

One of the first things I did was to empty the trash. I've also been through my folders and deleted anything I no longer need, and emptied the trash again.


Is the Disk Inventory safe to use? Does it take my files onto the cloud, or does it open them on my hard drive? I don't like the idea of my files being taken onto the cloud without my knowledge!

Roland_Sausage

Yes Disk Inventory X safe and does not have the ability to move your files to the cloud. All it does is lists all files and folders on your computer by order of size, allowing you to see what is using up all the disk space.

The moving files to the cloud is something that the later versions of Mac OS can do to free up space, but it is completely optional.

Apologies for any confusion.

20aday

Annie1960 wrote: »

Many thanks for your helpful answer.


No, there's no particular reason why I've never updated it. I just dismiss the notifications. I also used to do this with my Windows PC, which eventually ignored my protestations and installed Win 10 anyway! I'm pleased to say the world did not come to an end, and I eventually discovered how to find the menus on Edge, so I'm sure it will be same with the Mac update.



I've also spent quite some time since GDPR in May this year opting out of all websites tracking me, so I hope I don't have to do that again when I update! I'm using Firefox (which I have set to update itself at regular intervals, so that should be up-to-date).



Any idea how long the update will take? I'll backup the computer to my hard drive before I do it.

There's support built into Safari for macOS Mojave to prevent cross site tracking and you can also ask websites not to track you as well.

If you're upgrading (after backing up, of course) then you shouldn't need to go through the process with Firefox again.

Mr_Singleton

Annie1960 wrote: »

I've also spent quite some time since GDPR in May this year opting out of all websites tracking me

Good luck with not getting tracked!

Annie1960

I've run Disk Inventory X.


I found the 'Install OS Mavericks' app which is using 5.31 GB. Can I delete this, or do I need to keep it until after I've updated to the new OS?


I've also found some duplicate music files on the C: drive. I know how to find the C: drive on Windows, but can't see how to access this via the Finder on Mac. How do I go to this music to delete it?


Deleting both of these should give me enough space.



Many thanks for any advice on the above queries.

Roland_Sausage

Get rid of the Mavericks installer. You no longer need it.

There is no C: drive on a Mac. To open the Hard Drive, open finder then click on Finder > Preferences. Tick the box to show Hard Disks. You should then see it in the left menu, probably as "Macintosh HD".

Alternatively, you can go straight to it from Disk Inventory X by right clicking (2 finger clicking) on the file and selecting "Reveal in Finder"

Annie1960

Roland_Sausage wrote: »

Get rid of the Mavericks installer. You no longer need it.

There is no C: drive on a Mac. To open the Hard Drive, open finder then click on Finder > Preferences. Tick the box to show Hard Disks. You should then see it in the left menu, probably as "Macintosh HD".

Alternatively, you can go straight to it from Disk Inventory X by right clicking (2 finger clicking) on the file and selecting "Reveal in Finder"

Thanks very much for your help. I have updated to Mojave, and now seem to have lots of extra space, as I have 36.66 GB free!


More importantly, I should be able to keep my access to Dropbox from April.