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Other User's storage

Here's the problem, my current M2 MacBook Air that has 256GB of storage is being used up by 80 gigs from the section of "Other Users" which I was not aware about. This problem arose when I was trying to export a Final Cut project to my laptop but it got rejected saying that I had ran out of storage. I managed to delete some stuff but for some reason I still couldn't get down to why my laptop was using 80gigs of storage in "Other Users" when I do not have any other users other than myself. I surfed the Internet for hours but couldn't find a solid response. Hopefully any of your suggestions may help.

MacBook Air

Posted on Feb 12, 2023 10:50 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Feb 13, 2023 2:20 AM

Judging from you above image, the " Optimize Storage " has yet to be Enabled on this computer


Link and Excerpt from same link below


Optimize storage space

Your Mac can optimize storage by using iCloud to automatically make more storage space available when needed.* Let your Mac free up storage space for you. You can also use built-in utilities to quickly find and delete files, apps, books, movies, and other items that are taking up space, then delete items you no longer need.


To compare with Optimize Strophe Enabled


image below




Manage Storage


It is generally a good computer practice to alway keep at least 15% to 20% of the Total Drive Capacity’s as Empty Space. Allowing the computer to drop below these guidelines may eventually, cause unintended consequences.


The links below will assist in identifying what is taking up space on the Internal Drive and provide possible ways to remove data that is under the direct control of the User ( Home Folder ) . 


Rebuild the Spotlight index on your Mac


What is “Other” storage on a Mac, and how can I clean it out?


Free up storage space on your Mac


OmniDiskSweeper Safe to use


GrandPerspective 


How to delete Time Machine snapshots on your Mac


See used and available storage space on your Mac


Locate backups of your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch


Notation - If the user is using a cloning software like Carbon Copy Cloner - suggest tweaking the Safety Net Feature in this software. It may be making additional Snap Shots that are not being Cloned to the Eternal Drive. If this should be the case, these Snap Shot could be using additional space on the drive 


The final word from Apple on Managing the " Other/ System Data “ Category


Other / System Data: Contains files that don’t fall into the categories listed here. This category primarily includes files and data used by the system, such as log files, caches, VM files, and other runtime system resources. Also included are temporary files, fonts, app support files, and plug-ins. You can't manage the contents of this category. The contents are managed by macOS, and the category varies in size depending on the current state of your Mac.


3 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Feb 13, 2023 2:20 AM in response to AkridYin

Judging from you above image, the " Optimize Storage " has yet to be Enabled on this computer


Link and Excerpt from same link below


Optimize storage space

Your Mac can optimize storage by using iCloud to automatically make more storage space available when needed.* Let your Mac free up storage space for you. You can also use built-in utilities to quickly find and delete files, apps, books, movies, and other items that are taking up space, then delete items you no longer need.


To compare with Optimize Strophe Enabled


image below




Manage Storage


It is generally a good computer practice to alway keep at least 15% to 20% of the Total Drive Capacity’s as Empty Space. Allowing the computer to drop below these guidelines may eventually, cause unintended consequences.


The links below will assist in identifying what is taking up space on the Internal Drive and provide possible ways to remove data that is under the direct control of the User ( Home Folder ) . 


Rebuild the Spotlight index on your Mac


What is “Other” storage on a Mac, and how can I clean it out?


Free up storage space on your Mac


OmniDiskSweeper Safe to use


GrandPerspective 


How to delete Time Machine snapshots on your Mac


See used and available storage space on your Mac


Locate backups of your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch


Notation - If the user is using a cloning software like Carbon Copy Cloner - suggest tweaking the Safety Net Feature in this software. It may be making additional Snap Shots that are not being Cloned to the Eternal Drive. If this should be the case, these Snap Shot could be using additional space on the drive 


The final word from Apple on Managing the " Other/ System Data “ Category


Other / System Data: Contains files that don’t fall into the categories listed here. This category primarily includes files and data used by the system, such as log files, caches, VM files, and other runtime system resources. Also included are temporary files, fonts, app support files, and plug-ins. You can't manage the contents of this category. The contents are managed by macOS, and the category varies in size depending on the current state of your Mac.


Feb 13, 2023 2:40 AM in response to AkridYin

What other accounts exist on this mac?


In addition, there is also /Users/Shared, and I am guessing that maybe that is where disk space is being used.


Press Command-Shift-H to go to your home folder, then press Command-UpArrow to go one level up.

You should see your home folder, the home folders for other user accounts (if any), and Shared.


Select Shared and press Command-I. What do you get?


Other User's storage

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