My MacBook Pro Retina memory is almost full! (Applications)

[SpideySwag]

Hi all!

I don't have much stuff on my mac besides photos, some videos and some music. However, the memory math just isn't adding up so I would really appreciate any input on how to increase space!

First, under About This Mac (image 1), it says I have 48.16GB of applications, but if I go to Finder and look under Applications, it only shows that I have about 7 GB of apps (image 2). Mind you, my itunes is free of any apps and I download them straight onto my phone.

Next, my movies and photos seem to be taking up a lot of space according to image 1 but if I go to my iPhoto, where all my videos and photos are stored, I have 31 GB of memory, including BOTH photos and videos... (image 3) I do not have any actual movies on the mac either.

So it seems like my Applications, Photos and Movies should only add up to 38 GB total but as you can see, my computer indicates otherwise...So if someone can lend some expertise on this matter, that would be greatly appreciated!!

 

[Weaselboy]

That screen gets its data from the Spotlight index and yours is obviously corrupted. I can tell because Other shows zero and Other includes the OS, so there is always 10GB or so there.

Run the command below in Terminal to reindex Spotlight then check again after the reindex is complete.

sudo mdutil -E /

 

[SpideySwag]

Thank you for your feedback. Now it looks like this!! What does this mean?

 

[Mike Boreham]

Thank you for your feedback. How do I exactly run the code in spotlight?

Alternatively you can force a re-index, by going to the Spotlight Pref Pane in System Preferences, excluding your HD, wait a minute or two then re-include it (delete it from the exclusions list)

 

[Weaselboy]

Thank you for your feedback. Now it looks like this!! What does this mean?

Are you sure the reindex is done? It takes a while. Look inside the Spotlight menu item and you will see a dot pulsing there if it is still indexing.

It will likely take 30 minutes or more on your system to complete.

 

[sonicrobby]

I personally use Omnidisk sweeper to see what files are taking up my storage. Try giving that a shot?

 

[thundersteele]

You can try Disc Inventory X, available here: http://www.derlien.com

This is my preferred tool, others are also good like Omnidisk sweeper suggested above.

 

[SpideySwag]

Are you sure the reindex is done? It takes a while. Look inside the Spotlight menu item and you will see a dot pulsing there if it is still indexing.

It will likely take 30 minutes or more on your system to complete.

So I think it finished re-indexing and now the storage looks normal...but will it be possible to delete most of the "other" content?

 

[Weaselboy]

So I think it finished re-indexing and now the storage looks normal...but will it be possible to delete most of the "other" content?

Ahh... there you go. That looks better.

Other is basically everything that is not included in one of the remaining categories on that screen. It includes the OS itself and things like documents and PDF files for example. You can use the mentioned Omnidisksweeper to get a graphical view of what is using your space. Be careful you don't delete any of the OS system files though.

 

[Barney63]

Your photos/videos still appears to be way out, if you have only got 31Gig combined.


Barney