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It is my 'Macintosh HD Info':

enter image description here

However from time to time I get this 'There is not enough disk space available to install the product.'.

So I really want to free up some space.

I also use the 'CleanMyMac 3' to identify the files to remove.

It suggests these large files:

enter image description here

My questions are

  1. How can I make OSX to start the purging process?

  2. I hesitate to remove those MOV files because I am not sure if it will also remove them from my iCloud Photos library. The warning from CleanMyMac is quite dire: "Are you sure you want to permanently remove "IMG_3627.MOV"? You can't undo this action."

I certainly do not want to remove it from my photo library. I just want to remove the local copy so I can free more space.

So is there a safe way to reclaim the local space without removing the MOV files from icloud?

EDIT:

  1. I have already used the 'Optimise Mac Storage' option

enter image description here

Anthony Kong
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    Have you set "optimise storage" for photos? On a side note, grab tools like DaisyDisk or disk inventory X and look for giant log files etc. https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/5353/how-can-i-figure-out-whats-slowly-eating-my-hd-space/5360#5360 – anki Jan 16 '20 at 10:36
  • I use 'optimise storage' in Photos – Anthony Kong Jan 16 '20 at 21:29

1 Answers1

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If CleanMyMac is going to remove the files from their present location, then yes, they will be removed from your Photos Library.

You would be better off going to "About This Mac" under the apple menu, and on the Storage tab, click "Manage". Then click on "Store in iCloud", and select Photos.

enter image description here

As a general rule, I avoid all apps that claim to 'clean', 'purge', 'sweep' or otherwise perform housekeeping, as they often can have unintended consequences.

benwiggy
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