Downloading GarageBand sound library added 40GB of system data storage

[jonconant]

I tried downloading the Garageband sound library which is 16GB, before it was even 5GB into the download it had added 40GB to my “system data” and I can’t get rid of it, I’ve deleted Garageband and the sound library and stuff and I can't get it to go away. Does anyone know a way I can get rid of it without having to format my computer? This is a brand new computer I just got this week and just finished setting up ?

 

[Fishrrman]

As you've discovered, GB can be a very "bloated" application.
If you want to make music, there are other, better apps available.

As for getting rid of all the unwanted files...

I'm thinking you're going to have to do "a search" to locate them, and then delete what you think you can get away with deleting.

The "search tool" that I recommend you use is a small free app named "EasyFind".
You can get it here:

DEVONtechnologies | Needful Things

A little collection of free utilities for the Mac to make your life easier.

www.devontechnologies.com

Set up EasyFind like this:
Search for - files and folders
Operator - all word
Comparison - ignore case
Include - invisible files and folders

Then, enter "garageband" into the search bar and hit the "magnifying glass" icon on the right.
Give the search some time to complete. BE PATIENT.

The "hitlist" will display files and folders.
It will be UP TO YOU to decide what you want to try to get rid of.

What you can do is... click on an individual hit in the list, then RIGHT CLICK on it and choose "reveal in finder".

If it's a folder, you can then do a "get info" on the folder to see how much space it occupies.
If it's full of stuff, again, it's UP TO YOU to decide whether to delete it or not.
I would go into the folder, and explore first.

Good luck.