Are you in a mood to clear some clutter from your Macbook and boost its performance at the same time? If so, you should not hesitate and get on it immediately.
There are multiple methods that will make your computer run faster. And if you have no idea how to get things going, this guide will be a great place to start.
Method #1 – Delete Junk Files
Junk files take a surprising amount of disk space. If you are not careful, you may struggle with finding enough space for everything you want to keep on the Macbook.
Temporary caches, backups, and even language files, in some cases, offer no merit. It is often for the best to get rid of these kinds of files.
Manually cleaning the disk from junk files is a difficult thing to do, so you may want to look for utility software. This article by MacPaw explains how to remove junk files using various methods, including CleanMyMac software. Be sure to give it a read.
Method #2 – Remove Old App Icons from the Dock
Look at your Dock bar. There are bound to be some icons that hardly receive any clicks. If you notice an icon like that, there is no real need to have it around. Drag the app away from the Dock and remove it. The application will not be deleted, but it will make the Dock more useful since there will be less useless stuff on it.
Method #3 – Optimize Startup List
Applications that launch every time you boot a computer slow down a computer a lot. If you want to speed up the processes, removing applications from the startup list is the way to go.
Go to System Preferences, and click on Users and Groups. You will need to select your profile and visit the Login Items section.
Check the list of applications. There may be some you want to keep, like Dropbox or Skype. It all comes down to whether you need an application as soon as the computer loads.
As for those who should not be there and are only slowing everything down, select the app, and click the minus button to remove the selected item from the list.
Method #4 – Turn off Visual Effects
Visual effects may seem like a nice feature at first, but it will not take too long before you get bored with them. On top of that, these pretty effects are consuming valuable memory.
Access the Dock via System Preferences. Start by changing the Genie effect to the Scale effect next to the “Minimize windows using” setting.
Then, untick the boxes from both “Automatically hide and show the Dock” as well as “Animate opening applications”.
Method #5 – Get Rid of Old Applications
Look at your application list and sort them by size and date modified. The ones that have not been used for a long time can be deleted. But keep in mind that dragging an app in the Trash Can will not delete it but only transfer it to another location. Always empty the Trash Can when you put a file for deletion.
Method #6 – Scan for Viruses
Anti-virus software should be installed on every computer. There are other ways to protect your Macbook from cybersecurity threats, like avoid suspicious websites. But anti-virus is a must.
And do not have it sit idly in the background and only work when you encounter a threat. Your computer might already have malware on it without you knowing. Run scans regularly to ensure that you are protected.
Method #7 – Look at Activity Monitor
Activity Monitor is a great tool to find out which processes are consuming the most resources. If you sort the apps by CPU and memory usage, you will know about the biggest consumers.
Applications that really stand out ought to be removed. Look for alternatives that are not so resource-hungry.
Method #8 – Remove Browser Extensions
Optimizing internet browsers should also be one of the priorities. Users who are not careful end up with more extensions and add-ons than their computers can handle. And they get surprised why it has become so difficult to browse the internet.
Take a look at what you have installed. Useful tools that correct grammar or allow you to browse securely are worth keeping. However, there are some add-ons that offer no real value and only consume valuable computer resources.
Method #9 – Update macOS and Hardware
Updates are there to fix bugs and make stability and performance improvements. So whenever there is a big update, whether for the OS or any application you use, make sure to install it.
Method #10 – Clean Dirt and Dust
Dust and dirt accumulate over time, and not cleaning it regularly will lead to hardware overheating and a drop in Macbook’s performance. Do not be lazy and do your best to get rid of all the dirt and dust that you find.
