How to Clean Up & Optimize Mac Without Hardware Upgrade

Updated on March 15th, 2025 by Quertime Writer in Software

The Mac is very reliable, performs with efficiency, and lasts quite a long time. After some time, however, even the best Mac may start working slower due to the clutter, background processes, or other unnecessary system files that have accumulated over the time. Some people can afford to upgrade their hardware, such as adding more RAM, or changing to an SSD, to enhance the performance of their computers, while not everyone else either wants or needs to do so. Luckily, there are still ways to optimize your Mac’s overall performance through maintenance and software adjustment without having to upgrade the hardware itself.

This article will guide you step by step on cleaning and optimizing your Mac without any investment in new hardware.

1. Empty Your Storage Space

Storage Space Checking

First of all, you know what’s taking up space on your Mac:

1. Apple menu.
2. About This Mac > Storage.
3. Breakdown of storage usage to analyze.

Remove Unused Files

Remove Large Files: Open Finder, click on Go > Go to Folder, type ~/Downloads and delete what you don’t need.
Clear Old Screenshots and images: Check your Desktop and Pictures folder for old screenshots and images.
Empty Trash: Regularly empty the Trash by right-clicking the Trash icon and selecting Empty Trash.

Use Built-in Storage Optimization

Store in iCloud: Store your old documents, photos, and videos in iCloud.
Optimize Storage: Delete any watched movies, TV shows, and attachments in Mail.
Empty Trash Automatically: Schedule your computer to automatically empty its Trash in System Preferences > Storage.

2. Remove Unused Programs

Apps that are no longer in use can obstruct disk space and slow down your Mac. To eliminate them:

1. Go to Finder > Applications.
2. Drag any unwanted apps to the Trash.
3. Use Finder > Go > Go to Folder, type ~/Library/Application Support/, and delete leftover app files.
4. Empty the Trash. Or use AppCleaner or some other third-party uninstaller to clean out associated files of an app.

3. Control Your Startup Programs

Unnecessary startup items definitely slowdown boot time. To disable unnecessary startup programs:

1. Open System Settings > General > Login Items.
2. Remove unnecessary applications from the startup list.
3. You may also check Activity Monitor for background processes and quit resource-heavy applications.

4. Clean Out the System Junk and Cache Files

Cleaning up caches is usually a good thing, and Mac OS X caches files to speed some processes up. Unfortunately, they build up over time and can slow down the system in that case.

Clear Cache Manually

1. Open Finder and press Command + Shift + G.
2. Type ~/Library/Caches/ and delete unnecessary cache files.
3. Repeat the process with /Library/Caches/.

Get Rid of System Junk

Clear Safari, Chrome, or Firefox browsing history.
Clear logs from the folder ~/Library/Logs.
Delete disk errors using Disk Utility (Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility > First Aid).

5. Boost the Performance Settings for macOS

Activate Reduce Motion & Transparency

Graphical effects can slow down old Macs, so you should disable them:

1. Go to System Settings > Accessibility > Display.
2. Turn on Reduce Motion and Reduce Transparency.

Adjust Finder Preferences

By default, Finder opens Recents, which can slow performance. Change it so it opens a specific folder:

1. Open Finder > Preferences > General.
2. For New Finder windows show, click Documents or another folder.

6. Manage RAM Usage

Close Unused Applications

Use Command + Q to quit applications instead of simply closing their windows.
Open Activity Monitor (Applications > Utilities), sorted by Memory usage, to find and close memory-hog apps.

Use macOS Virtual Memory Wisely

No heavy application is open when the other is opened.
A periodic restart can help you clear RAM.

7. Delete Disk Space Using Terminal Commands

Some of the more drastic measures may not be that friendly to the novice user, however, through the Terminal, one could do the following:

Clear system logs: sudo rm -rf /private/var/log/*
Flush DNS cache: sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder
Purge inactive RAM: sudo purge

Use these commands with caution and always back up your important files before executing them.

8. Keep the macOS and Apps Updated

Those updates are the best way to keep the system running smoothly and securely. Here’s how to check for updates:

1. Go to System Settings > Software Update.
2. Install the latest macOS and app updates.

Updating applications from the App Store guarantees better compatibility and performance.

9. Use Built-in and Third-Party Maintenance Tools

macOS Built-in Tools

Disk Utility First Aid: Repairs disk errors and improves stability.
Activity Monitor: Monitors CPU and memory usage.

Third-Party Tools

CCleaner for Mac – Cleans cache and temporary files.
OnyX – Performs maintenance scripts and optimizes macOS.
DaisyDisk – Helps visualize and manage disk space.

10. Improve Battery and Power Management

Battery life affects performance on MacBooks. Optimize battery usage by:

Lowering display brightness.
Enabling Low Power Mode in System Settings > Battery.
Checking battery health in System Settings > Battery > Battery Health.
Disabling background apps using high energy in Activity Monitor.

11. Manage Browser Extensions and Plugins

Web browsers can slow down if overloaded with extensions and cache. To optimize:

Remove Unused Extensions: Open Safari, Chrome, or Firefox and disable unnecessary extensions.
Clear Browser Data: Regularly clear cookies, cache, and browsing history.
Use a Lightweight Browser: Consider using Safari instead of Chrome for better macOS optimization.

12. Reset PRAM/NVRAM and SMC

Resetting PRAM/NVRAM and SMC often helps with difficult and troublesome performance problems.

Reset PRAM/NVRAM (for Intel Macs)

1. Shut down your Mac.
2. Immediately press Option + Command + P + R as you turn it on.
3. Keep it pressed for 20 seconds and let go once you hear the startup chime.

Reset SMC (for Intel Macs)

1. Shut down your Mac.
2. Hold Shift + Control + Option + Power button for 10 seconds.
3. Release and turn on your Mac.

For Apple Silicon Macs, a restart tends to do the same kind of thing.

13. Organize Files with Smart Storage Practices

Keeping files organized prevents clutter:

Use Stacks on the Desktop.
Move old files to external drives or cloud storage.
Create folders and use Spotlight Search for quick access.

Conclusion

Optimizing your Mac is really possible even without a hardware upgrade with regular maintenance and intelligent file management. Follow these guidelines-declutter storage, remove unused apps, manage the startup items, and utilize the internal tools-to keep your Mac running like a well-oiled machine. Keep it in good shape to prevent it from deteriorating over time and prolong its useful life. Regular maintenance allows you to enjoy a faster and more responsive Mac without investing in new hardware.