How can I identify and remove junk files on MacBook Pro?

The "runtime" issue is just that on a modern Mac with a SSD, most people would expect EtreCheck to run and get to spitting out it's report in 3:00 or so. Almost 6:00 is slow. But it does depend on a number of factors - including the age of your Mac. For example, I still have a 2012 MacBook Pro running Catalina that I use for certain things. Sure I replaced the HDD with a SSD ages ago - but a 2012 MacBook Pro with a SATA SSD is never going to be as fast as any 2020's era M-series Mac with a NVMe SSD attached directly to the logic board.

Your system actually isn't that bad. The main issue I see is some "partially uninstalled" software and related leftover crud in your launch agents and daemons.

Quick aside - daemons are programs that run completely in the background. Agents are background programs that you interact with (they pop up dialog boxes and so on). You only have LaunchAgents in your home folder at /Users/<your name>/Library/LaunchAgents (sometime abbreviated as ~/Library/LaunchAgents). There is a folder for each in the root Library at /Library

You mentioned already removing Clean My Mac - did you follow the developer's uninstall instructions? If not, things like the LaunchAgents/LaunchDaemons can get left behind, and still try to run.

CCleaner is similarly useless.

You have two VPNs (or had at least since they seem to be partially uninstalled). Lots of people will say you don't any - but I also see a PT.updd.plist entry in one of your screenshots, which I believe is for Popcorn Time - so I assume you use a VPN for changing your geolocation to unlock content. In which case I would say to find a VPN that is lightweight and easy to uninstall (e.g., I believe Surfshark and NordVPN both have App Store versions).

Similarly for Anti-malware, although Avast isn't the worst when it comes to consuming system resources and performs well against the Virus Total tests. And you seem to use Microsoft Office, so there can be a valid use case for them if rountinely sharing files with colleagues on Windows.

Again, though, much of your Microsoft products are in that "partially uninstalled" list. So you may want to reinstall and uninstall some things - according to the developer's instructions, or at least use those "review" buttons in Etrecheck to find and/or delete the files.

At first blush—You have installed garbage app on your Mac...

< CleanMyMac X >

Uninstall all third party apps that are Cleaners/Optimizers/VPN/Anti-Virus

all known to cause issues on the macOS

<Runtime: 5:51> you would expect runtime to be ≤3:00 (?)

ref: Using EtreCheck - Apple Community

Finder>Go>Go To Folder>Copy and paste:

~ /Library/LaunchAgents 

~/Library/LaunchDaemons 

<< battery was at 0% (every night before I turned it off battery was 100% charged). >>

plug it in when you set it down for the night, and it will be ready to go in the morning regardless of what happened all night.

TheTradeHunter wrote:

I just deleted all the files. I assume I do not need any cleaning app nor anti-virus, thank you.

About the "runtime", what can I do? I do not really understand what the problem is..

Speaking of Library, this is the results of Agents and Daemons:

https://discussions.apple.com/content/attachment/e61a9e12-7a56-4140-8586-2808691abf6c

https://discussions.apple.com/content/attachment/64d80f76-2813-460f-b2c2-c508100e9d3b

It is much easier to read in List view:

it appears in the above screenshot you are in the wrong /Library(?)

ref as posted above: Finder>Go>Go To Folder copy & paste:

~ /Library/LaunchAgents 

you have 3 Libraries on Mac:

~/Library this is your User with r/w access delete any garbage

/Library

/System/Library

You do not have r/w access to the /System and very limited if any at /Library

TheTradeHunter wrote:

I am sorry, I thought I was in the wrong one because I cannot find this one:

~/Library/LaunchDaemons 

I copied and pasted but nothing shows up, don't know why..

right not in ~/Library/.....

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You can get a good look at your User/System config. and reveal conflicts or issues, you can download/run this trusted utility https://etrecheck.com

If you need help interpreting the report you can post it here in its entirety in the "Additional Text" box in the editing toolbar below, in your reply.

Way better? Actually debatable - I think the current EtreCheck baselining is now mainly based off M-series samples. I'm sure there is some improvement possible, but you are on an Intel i7 or i9 from 2019.

EtreCheck can be useful for figuring out what certain problems are likely occurring when you have a real issue - running it for "no problem - just checking" and then panicking because the results say the computer ought to be "better" can be less helpful.

There's nothing wrong with wanting to clean up junk that you know is on your computer - but beyond that, if it seems to be working well then it probably is and you don't need to go overboard trying to improve its performance.

 A virtual private network, or VPN, is a private connection over the Internet from a device to a specific network.   VPN technology is widely used in corporate environments. If you need to be "present" on an institutional network, a VPN is a great tool for accomplishing this. it is generally issued and controlled by the institution.

Almost all other uses are a SCAM. There is generally no need for you to have a private connection to a VPN vendor's Network, except to make it easier for them to harvest your data to sell. There is NO security advantage whatsoever in using a VPN. Your connections are already encrypted in most cases.

If VPN vendors just stopped there, it would be bad. But many of these packages also insist on scanning all your files, non-stop, -- nominally looking for viruses, but who knows for sure what data they are harvesting. Their non-stop file reading punishes your computer's performance in the process. 

Some also break into your other secure connections so they can be FIRST to examine your data, often leaving your Mac MORE vulnerable to attack.

https://gist.github.com/joepie91/5a9909939e6ce7d09e29

AVAST needs to GO

CCcleaner needs to GO

you have Virtual Box AND VMware AND Parallels all present. Unless you are using them all extremely frequently, they ALL should GO. if you need Windows, pick ONE and remove all the rest completely.

express VPN should GO

Tunnelbear should GO with it

This Mac has only 8 GB of real RAM. That is not enough to run MacOS 13 Ventura or later in a reasonably-responsive way. The only real way to run in 8 GB RAM is ONE application at a time, i.e., Quit your browser before launching your word processor. Restart EVERY day.

Junk, and how to deal with it:

You have accumulated way, way, way too much junk on your Mac.

In this context, “junk" is like stuff in your attic -- it may be perfectly good, but is not needed right now.

It is very difficult to get rid of such junk. I suggest you not even TRY.

Consider using this method instead:

check your trusted backup for completely up-to-date. consider making another on another drive.

ERASE your Mac,

Re-Install MacOS ONLY, nothing additional.

restore ONLY your Files from backup.

Then Follow this rule:

Only ONE non-Apple add-on is allowed to be added per day. If you already used up today's one, you have to wait until tomorrow to add another. No saving up unused add-ons as credits.