How to Free Up Space on Your Mac Running macOS 10.9 - 5

When it comes to updating your Operating System (OS), many people assume that it's a one-way road. This process typically deletes system junk, old broken apps, and hidden files on your drive. However, with the increasing need for storage space, freeing up disk space has become a crucial task.

If you're not comfortable cleaning your Mac manually, there are automatic 'room cleaners' available. Our top recommendation is CleanMyMac X, which is easy to use and effective in removing unnecessary files.

To locate the biggest files on your computer, follow these steps:

1. Go to Finder > All My Files > Arrange by size

2. Identify the largest files and consider moving them to an external drive or cloud storage

Next, ensure you have enough disk space available to create a Recovery Partition. It's recommended that you install OS on a clean drive.

The chart below provides guidelines for the required free space:

Having sufficient free space is crucial as it translates into virtual memory, allowing your apps to operate efficiently. This includes not only space for the OS but also for other applications and user data.

As your Mac ages and accumulates data, you'll likely need more free space to maintain its performance. Familiarize yourself with the Apple OS versions timeline to better understand the process.

If you're planning to run a parallel copy of Mac OS X on a virtual machine, you'll also need a working installation file of an older Mac OS X version.

Moreover, if your Mac's performance has decreased after a recent update, it may be due to apps not being compatible with newer operating systems. In this case, downloading an older version of Mac OS X might be the best solution.

To automate the process and refresh your Mac's drive, download CleanMyMac X, which is a safe and reliable option. It removes only safe-to-delete files and has been notarized by Apple.

In conclusion, freeing up space on your Mac running macOS 10.9 - 5 is essential for maintaining its performance and efficiency. By following these steps and using the right tools, you can keep your drive organized and clutter-free.

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