How to Optimize Memory Space on your Mac
Do you have a slow Mac?
Running out of memory space on your Mac is one of the most frustrating computer problems.
We all know that running out of memory space can be a huge problem, but it’s hard to know what to do about it.
But don’t worry! We’ve got your back. Keep reading to find out how to optimize memory on your Mac so you never run out again!
- Close Unused Applications
One of the best ways to optimize Mac Memory is to close any unused applications. If you have a lot of programs open, your computer has to work harder to keep them all running, which uses up more memory.
Close any programs that you’re not currently using by selecting them in the Menu Bar and clicking on the red “-“ button. This will close the program, but you can always access it from your dock if you need to use it again.
- Delete Unnecessary Files
Another way to free up memory space is to delete unnecessary files from your computer. You can do this by going to Finder > Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility. Select your hard drive in the left-hand column, then click on the “Erase” tab. From here, you can select the “Mac OS Extended (Journaled)” option and click on the “Erase” button. This will delete all of the files on your hard drive, so be sure to back them up first if you don’t want to lose them.
- Disable Unused Extensions
Some Mac users find that disabling unused extensions can help to optimize memory usage. To do this, open System Preferences > Extensions and uncheck any extensions that you don’t need. Keep in mind that disabling extensions may cause certain programs to not work properly, so use this tip with caution.
- Reduce Transparency Effects
macOS Sierra introduced transparency effects for window edges and menus, which can use up a lot of memory. If you’re having trouble optimizing memory on your Mac, try reducing the transparency effects by going to System Preferences > Accessibility > Display and checking the “Reduce Transparency” box.
- Use a Memory Cleaner Utility
If you find that you constantly need to optimize memory space on your Mac, it may be helpful to use a memory cleaner utility like CleanMyMac X. This program scans your computer for any unnecessary files and deletes them, freeing up valuable memory space.
- Disable Spotlight Indexing
Spotlight is a great feature that allows you to quickly search for files on your computer, but it can take up a lot of memory if you have your computer set to automatically index files. To turn off Spotlight indexing, go to System Preferences > Spotlight and deselect the “Allow Spotlight Suggestions In Look Up” box.
- Delete Cache Files
Over time, certain types of cache files accumulate on your computer and take up valuable memory space. You can prevent this by regularly deleting cache files using Disk Utility (in Applications > Utilities) or CCleaner (available in the Mac App store).
- Remove Login Items
Another tip for optimizing Mac Memory is to remove any login items that are no longer in use. To do this, go to System Preferences > Users & Groups > Login Items. Select any applications that you don’t need and click on the “-” button to remove them.
- Uninstall Unused Apps
If your Mac is running slowly, it may be because you have too many apps installed. This causes your computer to work harder than normal, which uses up more memory space. To improve performance, consider deleting some of the apps that you no longer use (or look into an uninstaller utility like AppCleaner).
- Upgrade RAM Memory
The last tip for optimizing Mac Memory is to upgrade the RAM memory in your computer if possible. Swapping out old SDRAM for newer DDR3 or DDR4 RAM can make a big difference in terms of speed and performance.
- Upgrade to a Newer Mac
If you’re using an older model of Mac and having trouble with memory space, it may be time to upgrade. A new Apple computer can often solve any memory problems that you were experiencing on your old machine. This is probably the ultimate memory optimizer.
- Delete Unused Fonts
Last but not least, another way to optimize memory usage on your Mac is to delete any unused fonts. To do this, open the Font Book application (located in Applications > Utilities) and select the “Fonts” menu at the top of the window. From here, you can see a list of all of the fonts that are currently installed on your computer.
To delete a font, simply drag it into the trashcan at the bottom of the window.
- Disable Unused Widgets
Another way to clear data space on your Mac is to disable any unused widgets. To do this, open the System Preferences application and select the “Widgets” tab at the top of the window. From here, you can see a list of all of the widgets that are currently installed on your computer. To disable a widget, simply click on the “-” button next to it.
If you are suffering from memory leaks with Monterey, it can be a frustrating fix. But you can see the alert and how to fix it here.
Want More Help to Optimize Memory On Your MacBook?
In this blog post, we’ve been talking about how to optimize memory space on your Mac. This is a great way to keep your computer running as smoothly as it should be and will prevent crashes that can lead to data loss. We hope you found these tips helpful and if you’re looking for more information on any of the topics mentioned in this blog post, please check out our archives!