Have you ever wondered why your Mac is running slow? Does it freeze when performing even just the simplest of tasks? Does it take a while to launch and switch programs? Everybody has gone through this excruciating pain at least once.
Even though the Mac is known to be a high-performance machine, it disappoints us sometimes as it slows down over time. There are numerous reasons why this happens. The main reason is a full hard disk. The more available space your Mac’s hard disk has, the more efficient your Mac will operate.
You may ask why your hard disk runs low on space. One of the culprits could be your hard disk cache has become loaded with unnecessary files.
What is Cache?
Let the scan finish, once completed click Clean Now to remove user cache files, user log files, temporary files, and other junk data from your Mac. In addition to this, you can also click individual modules to clear junk files, duplicates, disable startup items. Cache Clearing I recommend downloading a utility such as TinkerTool System, OnyX 2.4.3, Mountain Lion Cache Cleaner 7.0.9, Maintenance 1.6.8, or Cocktail 5.1.1 that you can use for periodic maintenance such as removing old log files and archives, clearing caches, etc. Corrupted cache files can cause slowness, kernel panics, and other issues. Cache Cleaner For Mac free download - RealTime Cookie & Cache Cleaner, Duplicate Cleaner, Wise Registry Cleaner, and many more programs.
Cache files are data saved by browsers, systems and applications on your hard disk to guarantee a smooth user experience. It is mostly used to speed up processes.
For instance, Safari will load images on a webpage and downloaded them to the cache so that the next time you visit the website, you don’t need to download them again because they can be retrieved from the cache. This reduces the wait time to load webpages.
As time goes by, the number of cache files increase considerably. Even though they are temporary and can be deleted, most people don’t bother to do so. In turn, these cache files start to take up storage space resulting in lowered system performance.
Cache files include system cache, app cache, browser cache, library cache and more.
Although other operating systems store cache in different file locations, the Mac OS stores cache files in the cache folder.
How Does Cache Affect Your Mac?
Although the primary purpose of cache is to provide a smoother user experience, the constant build up of data leads to storage space issues on a Mac.
Cache files are small in size, however going a long period of time without cleaning the hard disk means that these cache files can increase to gigabytes in size, resulting in a system with a minimum of disk space to operate. It affects the smooth performance in which Mac computers are known for.
To avoid this from happening, it is recommended to clear your cache regularly.
How to Clear the Cache on your Mac Manually
Mac systems are harder to clean compared to other operating systems as the destination is located within other folders and files. With the lack of knowledge on how to clean a Mac, the most inevitable question asked is: How to clear the cache on Mac?
Many people prefer opting for the longer route and cleaning the cache themselves. There are several types of cache files and each file is stored in different locations and cleared differently.
Here’s how different types of cache files can be cleared manually on your Mac:
User Cache:
User cache takes up the most space on your hard disk which is normally located in the User Cache folder “~/Library/Caches.”
Although a good cleaner locates and clears cache files well, manual deletion requires more work.
Reminder: User cache also includes sensitive data. Some users may encounter errors opening the files and system applications after clearing it entirely. It is recommended to perform a backup first.
To create a backup:
• Select “Go to Folder” in the Go menu of a File folder
• Type “~/Library/Caches” and press Enter
• Select all using ‘Ctrl+A’ and copy all folders and files
• Go back to Library and create a new folder ‘User Cache’
• Copy all data to the new folder
To remove user cache:
• Select “Go to Folder” in the Go menu of a File folder
• Type “~/Library/Caches” and hit Enter
• Go into each of the folders and delete every file
We recommend that you remove the files inside the folder, not the folder itself
After you have deleted all cache from the original location, you may delete the created backup as well.
System Cache and App Cache:
System cache is composed of files stored by system applications that run in the background of a Mac.
App cache consists of media files downloaded by the applications in order to speed it up, as well as system thumbnails, temporary downloads, and so on. Although useful, app cache takes up significant space over time and needs to be cleared.
To remove system and app cache:
• Type “~/Library/Caches” and remove the data inside of the folders with the app name.
One important thing is that not all app cache is safe to be cleaned. Applications are designed to keep essential data in some of the cache folders. To avoid mishaps, backing up cache data before cleaning is always a safe option.
In order to make sure no harm is done, you may delete the backup after some time.
DNS Cache:
The DNS cache is a type of system cache. These are old cache entries that translate internet domain names (e.g., drcleaner.com) into IP addresses on your Mac. Regularly clearing DNS cache ensures an uninterrupted connection to websites.
To clean the DNS cache:
For older Mac OS versions (before OS X 10.10.0):
• Open Terminal via Spotlight.
• Type into Terminal:
“sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder; say cache flushed”
• Enter admin password to complete.
For latest MAC OS versions (Mac OS X 10.10.0 and above):
• Open Terminal via Spotlight.
•Type into Terminal:
“sudo discoveryutil mdnsflushcache; sudo discoveryutil udnsflushcaches; say flushed”
• Enter your admin password to execute.
Browser Cache:
Internet browsing is the most commonly known activity on a device as well as a major source of income for many. While we browse from site to site, all activities result in a growing cache.
Browser cache consists of website data such as images, scripts, and so on, in order to speed up your browsing experience. It allows you to visit the same website faster with the use of the stored cache on the computer.
Aside from freeing space on your hard disk, clearing the browser cache accomplishes multiple purposes. It can secure privacy by deleting the browsing history. It can also potentially help to get rid of known errors such as error 404, 502, and so on, often caused by a corrupted cache.
Each browser stores cache differently, meaning, the process of clearing cache differs across browsers. As for the most commonly used browsers, Chrome’s cache location is in ‘Settings’, Safari stores it in ‘Privacy’, while Firefox’s location is under the History tab.
To Clear the Browser Cache:
For Chrome:
• Click the options icon at the top right corner of the Google Chrome browser
• Choose Settings
• Choose “More Tools,” in the left menu
• Click “Clear browsing data.” [Shortcut: ⇧⌘⌫]
• Select only Cached images and files and Browsing history
• Select ‘the beginning of time’
• Click “Clear browsing data” button
Restart Chrome
For Firefox:
• On the History menu, select ‘Clear Recent History’
• From the drop-down menu with a time range, select the desired range. To clear all the cache, select ‘Everything’
• Click the down arrow next to Details and choose only Cache
• Click ‘Clear Now’
• Exit and re-open the browser
For Safari:
• On the top menu, choose Safari
• Click ‘Preferences’
• Choose the ‘Advanced tab’
• Enable show ‘Develop’ menu in the menu bar
• Go to ‘Develop’ in the menu bar
• Choose ‘Empty Caches’
Restart Safari
For best results, make sure to empty Trash after clearing all the cache files.
To clear the trash, press control + click the Trash icon and select “Empty Trash.”
Reboot the Mac for a complete overhaul which leads to the Mac creating new cache files.
Manually cleaning junk files is a tedious task. Not only does it threaten deletion of important files but also takes up significant time and effort.
There are alternatives to manual cleaning that clean the system much more effectively and quickly, such as using Cleaner One Pro.
Why Cleaner One Pro?
Cleaner One Pro is one of the best cleaning app for Mac OS. It guarantees seven times more freed up hard disk space than any traditional hard disk cleaning methods.
Cleaner One Pro offers a free and effective way to clear cache on the Mac. It removes all unnecessary files that slow down your system in one click.
Providing a one-stop solution for Mac OS maintenance, Cleaner One Pro removes every junk file including app cache, browser cache, library caches, log files, iTunes and iOS temporary files, and so on.
Manual methods remove the majority of browser junk, but browsers also store data in other folders.
‘If you want to remove all of the browser caches at once, there’s a more efficient method to clear them ‘— use Cleaner One Pro.
Not only does Cleaner One Pro offer features such as Memory Free, Disk Clean, and Uninstall App. It also includes Clear Cache to fully optimize your Mac. And the best part? It’s free!
Additionally, some of the app caches are sensitive. App developers store important data in cache folders.
To prevent any problems, Cleaner One Pro works with a Safety Database and knows how to clear app cache safely. Not only does it protect precious data but it ensures more free space than manual methods.
In addition, Cleaner One Pro also monitors your system storage continuously to prevent significant buildup of unwanted files. Here’s a list of features Cleaner One Pro exclusively offers to Mac users for free:
Memory Free
Disk Clean
Junk Files Cleaner
Big Files Scanner
Similar Photos Scanner
Duplicate Finder
Intelligent App Manager
System Monitoring
Uninstall Applications
How to Clean Cache and other Junk Files with Cleaner One Pro
Cleaner One Pro’s brand new user interface makes it very easy to clear cache and remove all the junk files from your Mac. Just follow the steps below to quickly clear cache:
1. Open Cleaner One Pro on your Mac
You will see the main dashboard window with several options, such as Junk Files, Big Files, and Disk Map, and so on
2. Choose ‘Junk Files’
3. Click ‘Scan’
Cleaner One Pro will scan for all the junk files that are safe to delete, including application caches, application logs, iTunes Temporary Files, and so on
You may also perform a quick disk clean up. Go to the status bar menu of your Mac to perform this task.
Is Cleaner One Pro Safe?
Many users reported privacy concerns regarding the usage of other cleaning applications.
Cleaner One Pro is a smart cleaning utility that removes user files only after the user consents. The software scans and optimizes the system by deleting junk files that clog the system only. Also, it only proceeds by Admin’s permission. In short, Cleaner One Pro is the most reliable Mac optimization tool.
Related posts:
Kappy's Personal Suggestions About Mac Maintenance
For disk repairs use Disk Utility. For situations DU cannot handle the best third-party utility is: Disk Warrior; DW only fixes problems with the disk directory, but most disk problems are caused by directory corruption. Drive Genius provides additional tools not found in Disk Warrior for defragmentation of older drives, disk repair, disk scans, formatting, partitioning, disk copy, and benchmarking.
Four outstanding sources of information on Mac maintenance are:
1. OS X Maintenance - MacAttorney.
2. Mac maintenance Quick Assist
3. Maintaining Mac OS X
4. Mac Maintenance Guide
Periodic Maintenance
OS X performs certain maintenance functions that are scheduled to occur on a daily, weekly, or monthly period. The maintenance scripts run in the early AM only if the computer is turned on 24/7 (no sleep.) See Mac OS X- About background maintenance tasks. If you are running Leopard or later these tasks are run automatically, so there is no need to use any third-party software to force running these tasks.
If you are using a pre-Leopard version of OS X, then an excellent solution is to download and install a shareware utility such as Macaroni, JAW PseudoAnacron, or Anacron that will automate the maintenance activity regardless of whether the computer is turned off or asleep. Dependence upon third-party utilities to run the periodic maintenance scripts was significantly reduced after Tiger. (These utilities have limited or no functionality with Snow Leopard, Lion, or Mountain Lion and should not be installed.)
Defragmentation
OS X automatically defragments files less than 20 MBs in size, so unless you have a disk full of very large files there's little need for defragmenting the hard drive except when trying to install Boot Camp on a fragmented drive. But you don't need to buy third-party software. All you need is a spare external hard drive and Carbon Copy Cloner.
Cheap and Easy Defragmentation
You will have to backup your OS X partition to an external drive, boot from the external drive, use Disk Utility to repartition and reformat your hard drive back to a single volume, then restore your backup to the internal hard drive. You will use Carbon Copy Cloner to create the backup and to restore it.
1. Get an empty external hard drive and clone your internal drive to the
external one.
2. Boot from the external hard drive.
3. Erase the internal hard drive.
4. Restore the external clone to the internal hard drive.
Clone the internal drive to the external drive
1. Open Carbon Copy Cloner.
2. Select the Source volume from the left side dropdown menu.
3. Select the Destination volume from the left side dropdown menu.
4. Be sure the Block Copy button is not depressed or is ghosted.
5. Click on the Clone button.
Destination means the external backup drive. Source means the internal startup drive.
Restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the OPTION key until the boot manager appears. Select the icon for the external drive and click on the upward pointing arrow button.
After startup do the following:
Erase internal hard drive
1. Open Disk Utility in your Utilities folder.
2. After DU loads select your internal hard drive (this is the entry with the
mfgr.'s ID and size) from the left side list. Note the SMART status of the
drive in DU's status area. If it does not say 'Verified' then the drive is
failing or has failed and will need replacing. SMART info will not be
reported on external drives. Otherwise, click on the Partition tab in the
DU main window.
3. Under the Volume Scheme heading set the number of partitions from the
drop down menu to one. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended
(Journaled.) Click on the Options button, set the partition scheme to
GUID then click on the OK button. Click on the Partition button and wait
until the process has completed.
Restore the clone to the internal hard drive
1. Open Carbon Copy Cloner.
2. Select the Source volume from the left side dropdown menu.
3. Select the Destination volume from the left side dropdown menu.
4. Be sure the Block Copy button is not selected or is ghosted.
5. Click on the Clone button.
Destination means the internal hard drive. Source means the external startup drive.
Note that the Source and Destination drives are swapped for this last procedure.
Malware Protection
As for malware protection there are few if any such animals affecting OS X. Starting with Lion, Apple has included built-in malware protection that is automatically updated as necessary. To assure proper protection, update your system software when Apple releases new OS X updates for your computer.
Helpful Links Regarding Malware Protection:
1.Mac Malware Guide.
2. Detecting and avoiding malware and spyware
Best Cache Cleaning App For Mac
3. Macintosh Virus Guide
For general anti-virus protection I recommend only using ClamXav, but it is not necessary if you are keeping your computer's operating system software up to date. You should avoid any other third-party software advertised as providing anti-malware/virus protection. They are not required and could cause the performance of your computer to drop.
Cache Clearing
I recommend downloading a utility such as TinkerTool System, OnyX 2.4.3, Mountain Lion Cache Cleaner 7.0.9, Maintenance 1.6.8, or Cocktail 5.1.1 that you can use for periodic maintenance such as removing old log files and archives, clearing caches, etc. Corrupted cache files can cause slowness, kernel panics, and other issues. Although this is not a frequent nor a recurring problem, when it does happen there are tools such as those above to fix the problem.
If you are using Snow Leopard or earlier, then for emergency cleaning install the freeware utility Applejack. If you cannot start up in OS X, you may be able to start in single-user mode from which you can run Applejack to do a whole set of repair and maintenance routines from the command line. Note that AppleJack 1.5 is required for Leopard. AppleJack 1.6 is compatible with Snow Leopard. (AppleJack works with Snow Leopard or earlier.)
Installing System Updates or Upgrades
Repair the hard drive and permissions beforehand.
Update your backups in case an update goes bad.
Backup and Restore
Having a backup and restore strategy is one of the most important things you can do to maintain your computer. Get an external Firewire drive at least equal in size to the internal hard drive and make (and maintain) a bootable clone/backup. You can make a bootable clone using the Restore option of Disk Utility. You can also make and maintain clones with good backup software. You can never have too many backups. Don't rely on just one. Make several using different backup utilities. My personal recommendations are (order is not significant):
1. Carbon Copy Cloner
2. Get Backup
3. Deja Vu
4. SuperDuper!
Best Cache Cleaner For Mac
5. Synk Pro
6. Tri-Backup
Visit The XLab FAQs and read the FAQs on maintenance and backup and restore.
Always have a current backup before performing any system updates or upgrades.
Final Suggestions
Be sure you have an adequate amount of RAM installed for the number of applications you run concurrently. Be sure you leave a minimum of 10% of the hard drive's capacity or 20 GBs, whichever is greater, as free space. Avoid installing utilities that rely on Haxies, SIMBL, or that alter the OS appearance, add features you will rarely if ever need, etc. The more extras you install the greater the probability of having problems. If you install software be sure you know how to uninstall it. Avoid installing multiple new software at the same time. Install one at a time and use it for a while to be sure it's compatible.
Additional reading may be found in:
1. Mac OS X speed FAQ
2. Speeding up Macs
3. Macintosh OS X Routine Maintenance
4. Essential Mac Maintenance: Get set up
5. Essential Mac Maintenance: Rev up your routines
6. Five Mac maintenance myths
7. How to Speed up Macs
8. Myths of required versus not required maintenance for Mac OS X
Referenced software can be found at CNet Downloads or MacUpdate.
Most if not all maintenance is for troubleshooting problems. If your computer is running OK, then there isn't really a thing you need to do except repair the hard drive and permissions before installing any new system updates.
Aug 28, 2013 2:58 PM