Mac is running slow? When you bought your Mac, it was of course super fast. Unfortunately, that changes after you use the Mac for a long time. It is very annoying, a slow Mac. Are you tired of endlessly waiting for the Mac to start up or opening programs? Then read on. In this article, we’ll tell you what to do if your Mac has slowed down. Before you start with these tips, it is wise to make a Time Machine backup. You can read here what this means and how to make a Time Machine backup. The mac is running slow?
Read on and solve it yourself!
Tip 1: Install the updates.
The most important thing to keep your Mac running and protected is to run the updates that Apple and the program creators offer. You can find these updates via the App Store, which is installed on your Mac by default. Performing system updates keeps your Mac protected from viruses and Malware and ensures optimal performance of your Mac. You can find these updates if you click on the Apple logo at the top left of the screen and then on the App Store. Now the App Store program opens. At the top of the screen you will see a number of buttons. Click on Updates. In this screen you will then see the available updates to be performed. Click Update all to perform all available updates. Often times the Mac needs to restart so make sure to save all the documents you were working on.
Tip 2: Free up more space.
Your Mac is running slow? Some causes are in your own hands. It is often because too many files are stored. It is necessary for the Mac to work properly to have enough free space. Preferably even one third of the total storage capacity. The Mac uses this free space when it has to perform heavy tasks. You can check how much space you are using by clicking on the Apple logo,, then About this Mac. A window opens with information about your Mac. Under the Storage Tab you can see how much space you have left.
If you click on Manage in this screen … you can find recommendations to free up more space. You can also see large files on your Mac here, so you can easily find and delete unnecessary files.
Tip 3: Clean up your desktop
It may sound silly, but a tidy Mac is a faster Mac. Many people have their desktops full of files, such as photos, documents and screenshots. When you turn on the Mac, all these files must be read by the Mac. This is because a preview of the file is displayed. You boot faster when you remove these files from the desktop. It is better to arrange the files on the desktop in folders in the Finder. So open a Finder window and drag the files where you want to save the files.
Tip 4: Restart your Mac if your Mac is functioning slow
It really helps. Restart your Mac occasionally. Normally, closing the MacBook, or placing the iMac in ‘slumber’ is sufficient. You don’t always have to shut down your Mac if you’re not using it for a while. Still, it’s wise to restart the Mac every now and then. There are sometimes processes in the background that make the Mac slow. When you restart the Mac, minor errors are automatically resolved and your Mac works faster again.
Tip 5: Determine which programs should open during startup.
Your Mac is running slow at startup? This is often because all kinds of unnecessary programs are started, which you may not use at all. You can decide which programs can and cannot start when turning on the Mac.
- Click on the Apple logo in the top left bar
- Choose System Preferences.
- Click Users and Groups.
- Click on login
You will see an overview of the programs that start automatically when you turn on the Mac. If you want to remove a program from this list, select the program and click on the minus sign. Then close the screen.
Tip 6: Remove unnecessary programs from the Mac.
Are there still many programs on the Mac that you no longer use at all. Remove this! When your Mac has more free space, it will run faster. When you uninstall a program from the Finder, there are often leftovers of this program on the Mac. It is therefore wise to remove Programs. You can do this easily by dragging a program from the program folder to the trash.
Tip 7: Close unused tabs in Safari, Google Chrome or Firefox.
Are you used to having a lot of tabs open while using the internet? It is better to close unused tabs. Open tabs are at the expense of the speed of the Mac. Your Mac is slow because it takes a lot of working memory.
Tip 8: Take a look at the Downloads folder in your Finder.
The Downloads folder in the Finder is where all the files you download from the Internet end up. Therefore, take a critical look at this folder. For many people, this folder is full of unnecessary files. Often there are also many installation files that you can just throw away after installing a program. So go to Finder and open the Downloads folder. Give your Mac space and throw away unnecessary files!
Tip 9: Remove Malware Quickly Now!
Your Mac is slow? Chances are this is due to Malware. Malware can get you in if you come to unreliable websites, such as websites where you can download illegally or stream movies and series. Malware can then settle in your browser or other places in the Mac. You often notice that Malware is installed when you see advertisements in the browser more often than usual. Or when you encounter crazy pop-ups while surfing the Internet, stating that your Mac is infected and that you have to pay to fix it. Do not fall for these messages, because these are the parties that place the Malware on your Mac.
Install a program that can remove Malware from your Mac. A good program is Malwarebytes. Via this link you can download Malwarebytes for Mac.
Mac is running slow after steps?
Please read on:) If you see no improvements yet, try the steps below.
Tip 10: Disk First Aid
Your Mac is slow and you have tried a lot? Maybe this tip will solve it immediately for you.
With Disk First Aid you can fix errors on the hard disk. You can find this function in the “Disk Utility program”.
- Open the Finder.
- click on the Applications (or Apps) folder.
- Open Utilities.
- open Disk Utility.
On the left side you see the internal disk. Click on the disk labeled “Macintosh HD” or “macOS” and then the Disk First Aid button. Then click Run. It will take a few minutes for this Disk First Aid to be ready. After this, it is recommended to restart the Mac.
Tip 11: Reinstall your Mac
This sounds heavy and it may be, especially if you’ve never done it before. It is especially important that you back up the computer. Backing up is very easy, you just need an external hard drive. Don’t have an external hard drive? Then you could order it because this type is good quality and works on the Mac. Read here how to erase / reinstall your computer.
Tip 12: Upgrade your Mac. You really don’t have to buy a new one yet.
Have all the above tips not helped enough and is your Mac still slow? Then it is probably time to replace the hard drive for a modern variant, a flash storage. The hard drive is the biggest slowing factor in the Mac. When you replace the hard drive with a flash storage, your Mac immediately becomes many times faster. Even faster than it was when you bought the Mac!
Have you thought about buying a new Mac because your current Mac is so slow? Then wait with this. Contact us for the possibilities.
Do you also happen to have a slow iPad? Click here for useful tips to make it faster again!
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