What to do when your MacBook Pro is running slow?

A detailed cleanup of your MacBook should be done once in a while to avoid facing problems like;

MacBook Pro running very slow
MacBook shutting down once in a while and abruptly

Contents

Why is my MacBook so slow?

One of the primary reasons that your MacBook Pro is running slow is not enough space on your hard disk. Your hard drive needs a cleanup every so often; it will not only help you get rid of useless files but also make your MacBook run like its brand new. It’s essential to take some tips on how to clean up your MacBook Pro to make it run super fast.

How to check your MacBook’s storage space?

Navigate to the Apple Menu
Click on About this Mac option
Now select the Storage tab

In the storage tab, you’ll see your storage space and free space available; you’ll also get to know what type of files occupy how much of storage space.

How to clean up a MacBook Pro?

Here are some of the finest methods to clean up your MacBook hard drive;

Clear Caches

Clearing cache files is an essential step in cleaning your hard disk; your priority should be clearing cache files. Cache files can take up to 10-20 gigabytes of space, depending on your computer. Here is how to clear caches manually;

The Manual way of clearing cache on Mac

Launch the Finder application
Now hold the Cmd + Shift key and press G, then type ~/Library in the search box to open the Library folder
Navigate to the Caches folder

The Quick way to clear the cache on Mac

There is another way of clearing cache on your MacBook; this one is simpler and quicker. You can clear caches on your MacBook using the App Cleaner & Uninstaller application; it helps you clear your hard disk thoroughly. This app removes cache files, leftovers of deleted apps, launch agents, and other useless files. Open the App Cleaner & Uninstaller app, check the boxes of service files for needed apps, and select Remove.

Clean the Downloads folder

The download folder stores a large amount of disk image files and other unwanted files that take a lot of space on your hard disk. These disk images are only required for installing programs, to get rid of disk images and other unwanted files in your download folder, follow these easy steps.

Launch the Finder application
Navigate to the Downloads folder
Now type disk image in the search box
Delete all the .iso and .dmg files that are eating up your hard drive

The Quick way to find and remove installation files

Another way of cleaning the download folder is by using the App Cleaner & Uninstaller application. This app easily allows you to find and remove all the useless and unwanted files, including the installation files. To remove these files, do the following;

Launch the application
Navigate to the Extensions tab
Select the files in the installation section
Now remove all these useless files.

Remove old backups of devices in iTunes

There is another possibility that there are several device backups in your iTunes that are eating up to 4 gigabytes of space, and in some cases, up to 30-40 gigabytes. You need to remove these old backups to free up space. Follow these steps to delete old backups from iTunes.

Launch the iTunes
Navigate to the Menu Bar
Now to go iTunes
Select Preferences and then Devices
Remove all the backups of different devices from there

Remove unused applications

Another thing that you might have missed is the number of applications in your MacBook. You might have installed a hundred applications, but there is a possibility that you’re using only half of them, while the rest are just eating up your disk.

Uninstall all these unused apps to free up more space; you can do this procedure with the help of App Cleaner & Uninstaller Pro within minutes. This app lists your apps according to their size, review your applications, and delete those that you’re not using.

Reduce the number of startup items

Every one of us installs additional utilities and software tools to help our MacBook function more adaptable. These additional tools run automatically whenever you turn on your MacBook, and these tools have several processes running in the background. These processes include checking for updates, scanners, synchronization, and monitors, etc.

if you have installed more than one additional software tools or utilities, their background processes run at the same time, making your MacBook sluggish. Therefore, it is recommended to remove or disable the number of startup items in your MacBook.

Navigate to System Preferences and select Users and Groups
Select your account and click the Login Items tab
Select those applications that are vital to start after you open your MacBook.

Quicker Way to remove startup programs

The App Cleaner & Uninstaller application will help you remove the startup items within minutes. You need to go to the Startup Programs tab and disable all the unnecessary startup items.

Clean up the desktop

A lot of MacBook users keep their important files on the desktop for easy access, but keep in mind that putting files on the desktop makes your system sluggish. Your MacBook is required to handle all the connections of files that you’ve placed on your desktop. To remove this possibility, it is recommended to remove all the icons from the desktop.

Why is my MacBook so slow?

How to check your MacBook’s storage space?