Macbook Pro like new in safe mode! How can I keep this?

[AdamA9]

Hi guys,

I'm trying to diagnose an issue with my screen, and in doing so I've been running my mac in safe mode. WOW. This is so quick. menus open instantly, it's like a brand new mac.

How can I have this speed all the time? I've got a pretty good spec for a 2013 machine, but I want it to stay this fast. Could a clean install do the trick?

 

[chrono1081]

I always like to do a clean install every two years on all my machines regardless of OS. That being said it could help, but other times safe mode is cutting out a LOT of services that would otherwise be running (and taking up system resources). There may be things missing you're not noticing.

I would say if you're up to it, try a clean install. I seem to notice speed increases.

 

[AdamA9]

I just downloaded App Cleaner and I am running that! I still had Office 2014 or something on here. Not sure how that happened.

I will see how it goes when I've removed everything from start up etc. and if no real imrovement I'll do that.

Out of interest, if I do a completely clean install, will the keychain be backed up to my iCloud account, or will I lose all passwords?

 

[Fishrrman]

If a "clean OS install" doesn't help, it's time to start taking stock of the 3rd-party software you're using, and think long and hard about whether or not you really need it.

Something you could do (would involve work, but it's "do-able"):
Create a NEW account for yourself. Because it's newly created, it will be free of all 3rd-party software, and should run "as cleanly as" when you're booted into safe mode.

Then, begin "manually migrating" from your old account to the new one.
Some "tricks" may be needed to overcome permissions problems.
I WOULD NOT migrate any "startup or login" items at first -- there's a good chance that stuff "in there" is a large cause of the slowdowns.

You would need to do this slowly, a "little at a time".
The idea is to bring over some stuff, observe how the computer runs, bring over more, etc.
If at some point the Mac suddenly slows down on you again, then it's probably "the last stuff you migrated over" that's the main source of your problems...

Final thought:
How heavily do you use "the cloud"?
Could constant "movement" back-and-forth from the cloud to the MacBook be impacting performance?

 

[AdamA9]

Some interesting points.

I don't have a lot of third-party software to be honest, but I'm slowly cleaning what I do have out with App Cleaner. When it is all done I will see how it is and then consider a fresh install. I don't mind doing it if it'll give me some new life.