Extra files on disk

[hrtchkr]

I just upgraded to El Capitan from Lion and I noticed I have a lot les free space on my hard disk. When I run disk utility it shows reasonable numbers for Applications, Audio, Photos, etc. but the largest category is "Other," (over 40 GB). When I then page through the files on the computer I can't find 40 GB of unattributable files anywhere. The System and Library each have less than 8 GB and Applications has about 10 GB. All of the User files total less than 3 GB. As far as I can calculate there should only be about 30 GB of disk space used instead of the 80 GB that DiskUtility is telling me is being used. Any idea what gives and how to either access or delete those "Other" files.

 

[dsemf]

I just upgraded to El Capitan from Lion and I noticed I have a lot les free space on my hard disk. When I run disk utility it shows reasonable numbers for Applications, Audio, Photos, etc. but the largest category is "Other," (over 40 GB). When I then page through the files on the computer I can't find 40 GB of unattributable files anywhere. The System and Library each have less than 8 GB and Applications has about 10 GB. All of the User files total less than 3 GB. As far as I can calculate there should only be about 30 GB of disk space used instead of the 80 GB that DiskUtility is telling me is being used. Any idea what gives and how to either access or delete those "Other" files.

Try this command in a terminal window:

sudo du -d 1 -x -c -g /

This provides a top level view. To drill down, add to the slash, such as /Users

DS

 

[hrtchkr]

Try this command in a terminal window:

sudo du -d 1 -x -c -g /

This provides a top level view. To drill down, add to the slash, such as /Users

DS

Thank you. That was very helpful. When I drill down I see that some users have many multiple "Library," "Pictures," and "Music" files. Presumably they inadvertantly duplicated these files but when I look for them with the finder to delete them I can't find them. Any ideas as to where my Mac is hiding them?

 

[dsemf]

The ~/Library directory is normally hidden. Use the Finder Go menu. Files that start with a dot are also hidden. To show them use cmd-shift-period.

DS