Make Mac faster - the 7 best tips

We'll show you how to make your Mac faster again. You can use the activity display to find out which systems use the most resources on your computer. Then it's time to clear out. You can find out how and other tips here.

Tip 1: Mac Activity Monitor analyzes

Enter "Activity Monitor" in the Finder and open the program.

1. In the menu bar click on "View" and select "All processes".
2. Under "CPU" and "Memory" you can monitor the CPU load and memory pressure and analyze which processes are causing problems for your computer.
3. Especially if your RAM has less than 16 GB, you should keep an eye on the "memory pressure" graphic under "Memory". If you see yellow or red bars there, your memory is no longer sufficient.
4. You can then try upgrading your laptop or mucking out your system. Read the next sections of this tip.

Tip 2: Make Mac faster: Clean up your desk

A messy desk can cause problems for your Mac memory.

1. Arrange the files on your desk. Slide the files into "All My Files".
2. To do this, open the Finder and "All my files". You can then drag the files onto your desk in the "All my files".
3. The symbol preview for the desk can also increase your memory requirements.
4. Therefore, right-click on the desk and select "Show display options".
5. Remove the checkmark next to "Show symbol preview".

Tip 3: avoid Dropbox and widgets

If you have installed the Dropbox on your Mac, you should switch off the ongoing synchronization. In addition, you should not enable dashboard widgets.

1. Right-click on the Dropbox icon in the top right. Click on the gear icon and "Settings".
2. Under "General" remove the option "Start Dropbox at system start". Under "Network" remove the checkmark at "Activate LAN synchronization".
3. In addition, click on "Dashboard" under "Programs" in the Finder and remove the existing widgets there.
4. To do this, click on the "-" symbol at the bottom left and deactivate the widgets via the respective "x" icons.

Tip 4: Turn off Mac services and update system

Switch off unnecessary system functions and services. Also check that your system is up to date.

• To do this, go to the system settings and there on "Shares". Deactivate services such as "screen sharing" or "Bluetooth sharing".
• Apple updates fix bugs and security holes. So keep your system up to date in order to avoid possible system errors and the resulting speed losses. Read another practical tip on how to update your Mac OS X system.

Tip 5: Clear your Mac's cache and defragment your hard drive

Most modern Macs today have an SSD that doesn't need to be defragmented. However, if you are still using a conventional HDD and the performance of your system becomes noticeably weaker, it may be worth using the tool iDefrag.

• In another practical tip, we will explain how to defragment your Mac's hard drive.
• Sometimes, when your Mac is slowing down, clearing the system cache can help.
• Ultimately, you always have the option to create a backup with the TimeMachine and set up the operating system again.

Tip 6: clean up your Mac hard drive

The macOS operating system requires at least ten percent free hard disk space to create temporary files. Therefore, clear your hard drive. The more hard drive space there is, the faster your Mac can work.

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1. To do this, open the Finder.
2. For example, type "movie" using the search bar.
3. You will then be shown all the films. Delete the movies you no longer need on your hard drive. Drag the files to the trash on the toolbar. Don't forget to empty the trash too.
4. Alternatively, move the data to an external hard drive.
5. Tip: The Disk Graph tool shows you in detail which area of ​​your hard drive needs how much storage space. This makes it much easier to find large files. The program is usually chargeable, but is occasionally available for free in the app store.

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Tip 7: Close background programs on Mac

Chances are that some programs that you don't need will open automatically when you start up your Mac. Stop the automatic registration of these services.

1. To do this, click on the Apple icon in the top left and then on "System Preferences".
2. Open "Users & Groups".
3. There, click on the "Registration objects" tab.
4. Here you can see all the programs that open automatically when you register.
5. Select the object if you don't want it to start automatically.
6. Then click on the minus icon so that the program does not start automatically when you register.

The MacBook Pro 13 (2018) in review

In the next practical tip, read how to determine the available memory on your Mac.