How to Speed Up a Mac

1. Click on the Apple Menu and click on System Preferences.
   
2. Click App Store.
   
3. Ensure all items in this section are checked. This will allow for Automatic updates to happen and for them to install automatically.
   

MacBook, MacBook Pro, and MacBook Air must have the power adapter plugged in to automatically download updates.

There are two areas to check for updates for your Mac, the System Software and the Apps installed from the App Store.

Update System Software

1. Open the Apple menu, and select System Preferences.
   
2. Select Software Update.
   
3. Any updates to your System Software will be offered here.
   

Update App Store Apps

1. Open the Apple menu, and select App Store.
   
2. Select Updates on the left. Any updates available will be offered here.
   

iCloud securely stores your photos, videos, documents, music, apps, and more. iCloud can also be used to manage your storage.

First, we need to log into iCloud.

1. Click on the Apple Menu and click on System Preferences.
   
2. Click on iCloud.
   
3. If you are not already signed into iCloud, enter your Apple ID and password, and then click Sign In.
   
4. Ensure to check the box that says "Use iCloud for your documents and data" and choose whether or not you want to use iCloud to locate your device. Click Next to continue.
   
5. Now we will pick what you wish to sync with iCloud. We want to be sure that iCloud Drive and Photos are both checked.
   
6. Open the Apple menu and click About This Mac.
   
7. Click on Storage.
   
8. Click on Manage.
   
9. Click Store in iCloud and choose from the options below.
   
   

   Desktop and Documents	Will store all files in these locations in iCloud. If you get low in storage, only recently used items will remain on the computer. You can download any file back to the computer by clicking the cloud icon.
   Photos	Will store full resolution images and videos in iCloud. When space is needed, only optimized versions remain on the computer. You can download the original item by opening it.

Storing files in iCloud uses the storage space in your iCloud storage plan.

1. Open the Apple Menu and click About This Mac.
   
2. Click on Storage.
   
3. Click on Manage.
   

Optimize Storage

1. Click on Optimize.
   
   

   When storage space is needed, iTunes movies or TV shows that you already watched are removed from your Mac. Click the cloud icon next to a movie or TV show to download it again.

Empty Trash Automatically

1. To automatically delete your trash, click Turn On.
   
   

   Enabling this feature will permanently delete any items that have been in the trash for 30 days.

Reduce Clutter

1. Click the Review Files button, then choose any of the categories in the sidebar, such as Applications, Documents, GarageBand, iOS Files, iTunes, or Trash.
   
   

   You can delete files or programs by either clicking on the "x" when hovering over the item or by right clicking and choosing delete.

If there's a program installed that you don't use anymore, it's best to uninstall it to save space.

1. Select Finder, then select Go > Applications.
   
   
2. Look through your list of programs for any you do not use anymore.
   

1. In the Spotlight Search, type in Disk Utility & click on Disk Utility.
   
2. Select the Drive to check and then click on First Aid.
   
3. Click on Run.
   
4. If you are checking a drive with files in use (such as your boot drive), then you will be prompted to temporarily lock the drive. Click Continue.