Mac|Life - November 2011

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If you’re seeking even more room on your hard drive, these useful applications perform more specific, surgical cleaning tasks.

So we’ve looked at the basics when it comes to freeing up drive space, but if that didn’t do the job, several Mac apps will help you to detect and remove space-wasters (see sidebar on p56). These tools range from system scans that will pick out very large files and list them in order of size to very specific apps that target common drive space thieves (like app-related files that linger after you’ve deleted an app) and bring them to justice via the Trash can. Then there’s the third kind of tool—one that’s part software, part service. Rather than removing large files completely, these offerings provide a way for you to move them to a secure storage space on the web. We’ll show you the four most effective ways to use these apps.

2. automaticall Y locate large FileS Rather than searching within the Finder, you can find all large files on your system by deploying a number of applications that offer a simple interface and display everything in a more intuitive manner. Some allow users to choose between a list view or a chart display in order to quickly find out what files take up the most room on their drive and then opt to delete them. Certain apps like WhatSizeMac (see sidebar, p56) also include a set of system-cleaning tools that will help save space on your Mac and locate duplicates. If that doesn’t grab you, search the Mac App Store or web for other options: we’re fond of Space Gremlin, for instance.

1. Stick to Your Native toNgue By default, Mac OS X includes a selection of localization files as part of its initial install, but you’re unlikely to need them unless you loan your computer to your Italian cousin or want to brush up on your French. These files take up lots of space, so it’s worth ridding your system of them. You can, of course, reinstall these files from your Mac OS X install disc should your cousin come to town. While you can attempt this job manually, Monolingual (see sidebar, p56) is an ideal free tool that hunts down localization files on your system and allows you to pick which to trash. It also provides a list of input options and keyboard layout files that you might not use either, such as Korean or Chinese.