System Information - "Storage" Questions

[automatickyle]

I am sadly getting ready to sell my 2011 MacBook Pro due to lack of use. My work computer and phone/iPad see most of my time these days. This past weekend I created a profile on her laptop and used the migration assistant to move all of my files over. She has a 250GB hard drive and should be more than sufficient for the files we have since we utilize a lot of the iCloud storage.

- My music folder is 38.47 GB and is stored directly on the HD.
- We both have our photo libraries on the cloud with "optimize storage" selected; however, we still show each of ours taking up over 30 GB a piece. Does this seem right? Can't see how this is really optimizing storage.
- "Documents" folder in the below screenshot is 37 GB, but I have no idea what it contains. It is accounting for the Photos and Music folders in the other categories and I there is hardly anything in my documents folder.

It feels like the system is double counting storage here.

*I have attached a screenshot showing the storage and manage detail.*

I have also run DiskWave to see if I could get some more detail. It shows the music and photo libraries stored in my user folder. I have also attached that scan of the HD. Something just seems off like it isn't using this entire 178 GB that it is saying is being used.

Any suggestions or thoughts?

 

[FreakinEurekan]

Check for an "iPhoto Library" in your ~/Pictures/ folder, it may be left over from when you upgraded to Photos in Yosemite 10.10.3. If you find it, it's "linked" to your Photos Library so not technically taking up extra space, but if you have Optimize turned on the iPhoto Library won't optimize. It's safe to delete.

Optimize with iCloud Photo Library allows macOS to remove photos from your Mac, but it only does so if needed - e.g. if you're getting low on disk space. If you have room, they're downloaded for better performance but can be trashed if space gets lower.