How to Speed Up Your Mac: 8 Proven Ways to Improve a Slow MacBook Pro

Your MacBook Pro will slow down over time, just like every other PC. Thankfully, you don't have to put up with a slow Mac when there are so many ways to optimize Mac performance! Here are eight tried-and-true solutions for optimizing your Mac's performance!

Of course, there is a debate to be had about who should pay.

Your MacBook Pro might be running slow due to an older operating system or a full hard drive, especially after updating to MacBook runs slow after Ventura update. However, if you have a newer MacBook model, slowness could result from a malware infection or other reasons. In such cases, you need to optimize your Mac's performance:

Multiple background processes: If your MacBook Pro is running many memory or CPU-intensive programs, it might not warn you. This could be due to a malware infection or app crash. In this case, you should check your Mac's RAM and free up your MacBook's memory.

Adware or malware infection: Yes, Macs can get viruses too! To prevent malware from slowing your Mac down, run a malware scanner on it every day.

Older macOS or apps: You should regularly check that your operating system and installed apps are up to date. The latest versions of apps and the operating system tend to run quickly and have fewer bugs and security patches, which can slow things down.

Optimizing Mac Performance: 8 Proven Fixes

No one likes an unreliable, slow, or buggy Mac! That's why knowing how to optimize your Mac can save you time and money. Let's look at the solutions below to improve your Mac's performance.

Solution 1: Optimize performance by emptying the Recycle Bin

Is your Mac running out of space? Or have you deleted files on your Mac but still don't have any space? The best way to free up space is to “Empty the Trash” or force empty the trash on your Mac.

The latest version of macOS can be set to automatically empty the Trash after 30 days. To empty the Trash manually, follow these steps:

Step 1: Click the Apple icon in the menu bar.

Step 2: Choose “About This Mac.”

Step 3: Choose Save.

Step 4: Click on the “Manage” option.

Step 5: Turn on “Empty Trash Automatically” to have items in your Trash deleted after 30 days.

Sometimes, when Mac users want to empty the Trash to save storage space, they may find that the Trash on Mac won't empty even after clicking Empty. In this case, you can read on to solve the problem.

Of course, more can and should be done.

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Fix 2: Stop Using Apps to Optimize Mac Performance

You can optimize your Mac by verifying the HDD and quitting, or by using the Force Quit shortcut to close any unused apps. Follow these steps to uninstall an installed application quickly:

Step 1: Go to "Finder > Applications." Click the grid icon, then choose "Last Opened." This will sort all of your apps by the date you last used them.

Select the most recently opened data.

Step 2: Empty the Trash after you move the outdated apps to it. This will free up your Mac's memory from old programs and files that can slow it down.

If you don't use an app often but don't want to uninstall it, you can force quit the app in Activity Monitor on your Mac to prevent it from running in the background and using up unnecessary CPU and cache resources.

Fix 3: Keep your Mac software up to date

It's important to keep your macOS up to date. If you're running the latest version of macOS, open "System Preferences," then click the "Software Update" option. Alternatively, you can select the Apple icon in the menu bar, then choose "Software Update." Give your Mac some time to check for available updates.

Next, you'll want to check if your apps need updates. To see if any apps installed from the App Store have updates, open the App Store and select the "Updates" tab. To ensure your macOS is up to date, you can follow these steps:

Step 1: Click “System Preferences” > “App Store” and make sure “Check for updates” is checked.

Check Install app updates to make sure you have the latest versions of your apps.

Next up, just translate this into American English:

If Software Update fails or doesn't check whether your Mac can be updated, this article can help.

Please provide the English content you want translated, and I'll do my best to translate it into Chinese.

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Fix 4. Optimize Mac Performance: Manage Startup Items Managing startup items is an effective way to enhance your Mac's performance. Many applications run automatically at system startup, which can consume significant resources and slow down your computer. By controlling these launch items, you can reduce unnecessary burdens and make your Mac start up and run faster. Follow these steps to manage your Mac's startup items: 1. Open "System Preferences." 2. Click on "Users & Groups." 3. Select the currently logged-in user, and then click on the "Login Items" tab on the right. 4. In the Login Items window, you'll see a list of all applications that load automatically at startup. 5. To remove a startup item, select it and then click the "-" button in the bottom left corner. 6. Confirm the changes and close the window. Please note that you should only disable apps that you don't frequently use or don't need to run at startup. Some system services and critical applications may need to run in the background to ensure your Mac functions properly. Exercise caution to avoid impacting essential functionalities.

These are called "scripts," and they allow certain apps to launch automatically every time you start up your MacBook Pro. It's normal to have some of these.

But if too many are set to launch automatically, they can drain your battery and use up processing power, causing your Mac to run slowly. Check for issues with Mac startup programs by following these steps:

Step 1: Click the Apple icon in the menu bar.

Step 2: Choose “System Preferences” and then “Users & Groups.”

Step 3: Click “Login Items.”

Step 4: Remove any programs that you don't want to run when you start up your Mac. Select and prevent apps from opening at startup on Mac.

Please share this article on social media to help others learn how to optimize their Mac's performance.

Fix 5: Optimize MacBook Pro/Air Settings Ensure your MacBook Pro or Air is configured for optimal performance. Here are some optimization steps to try: 1. **Update Software**: Make sure your Mac is running the latest version of macOS. Go to "System Preferences" > "Software Update" to check and install any available updates. 2. **Close Unnecessary Apps and Services**: Use the "Activity Monitor" (found in the Utilities folder) to see which programs are consuming resources. Close any unneeded apps and services to free up memory. 3. **Reduce Login Items**: In "System Preferences" > "Users & Groups," select your username, then click the "Login Items" tab. From here, you can remove apps that no longer need to launch at startup. 4. **Adjust Energy Settings**: In "System Preferences" > "Energy Saver," customize power management settings. If using battery, ensure "Automatically adjust brightness" and "Power Nap" are enabled. 5. **Clean Up Hard Drive Space**: Check storage via "About This Mac" > "Storage." Delete unnecessary files, apps, and large files, or consider using cloud storage to alleviate local storage demands. 6. **Optimize Visual Effects**: In "System Preferences" > "Display," lower screen brightness and disable dynamic wallpapers and parallax effects to conserve energy. 7. **Disable Transparency and Dynamic Effects**: In "System Preferences" > "Accessibility" > "Display," uncheck "Reduce Transparency" and "Enable Dynamic Effects" for performance enhancement. 8. **Upgrade Hardware**: If your Mac is older, consider upgrading the RAM and SSD, which will significantly boost performance. By implementing these optimizations, your MacBook Pro or Air should run more smoothly.

macOS helps you make the most of your space on MacBook Pro or Air by optimizing storage. When you need more space, it can keep your photos, files, videos, and email attachments in iCloud, where they're available whenever you need them.

If you need the original files, you can download them, since they won't take up much room on your MacBook. Your Mac will always have the best available copies of your files and images. To optimize your MacBook's settings, follow these steps:

Step 1: Click Apple menu > System Preferences. Then select General from the sidebar.

Step 2: Click on the storage option on the right.

< b > Step 3:< /b> Review these suggestions, and choose how to optimize your Mac's storage.

Fix 6: Clean up your startup disk to speed up MacBook Pro/Air

If you have ever received the message “Mac startup disk full”, you need to clean it up to optimize your MacBook's performance. You can free up storage space by deleting outdated backups. Follow these steps to remove old backups and fix the startup disk issue:

Step 1: Open a "Finder" window.

Step 2: Click on “Go” in the menu bar.

Step 3: Choose Go to Folder.

4. Type in /Library/Application Support/MobileSync/Backup, then press “Return.”

Please type this command:

If you can't find your Mac startup disk in Disk Utility, this article can help.

Please provide the English content you want translated, and I will do my best to translate it into Chinese.

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While cleaning up the startup disk to speed up MacBook, deleting outdated files may lead to data loss. Though you can recover trash on Mac, if the situation worsens, the files may be lost forever. However, with professional data recovery software, you can quickly recover permanently deleted files from Mac.

Data Recovery Wizard for Mac is a top-tier data recovery tool that can restore all kinds of lost data from an emptied Trash and unintended deletions.

Follow the steps below to recover files lost or deleted after cleaning up the startup disk:

Step 1: Scan for lost data on the Fusion drive

Select the Fusion Drive partition from where you lost your data and files, then click on the “Search for Lost Files” button. If you're not sure which one is your Fusion Drive, click on the “Search from Disk” link text to view the partition names.

Note: Before you recover data, it's recommended that you click “Disk Backup” on the left sidebar to back up your Fusion drive to prevent further data loss. After backing up the Fusion drive, the software can recover data from the Fusion drive backup and use it again.

Step 2: Look for the Lost Files After Scanning

The “Data Recovery Wizard for Mac” utility will immediately scan your Fusion drive partition and display the scan results. You can filter files by type and path.

Step 3: Recover Files from Fusion Drive

From the scan results, select the file(s) you want to preview and click on the “Recover” button to get them back.

Fix 7: Run First Aid from Disk Utility

If none of the above works, you should make sure your Mac is in good health. You can do this by running Disk Utility, following these steps:

Step 1: Open Disk Utility from the Applications or Utilities folder.

Step 2: Select the boot disk, which should be on the left.

Step 3: Click the “First Aid” tab on the right.

Step 4: Click the Verify button.

If Disk Utility finds problems with your hard drive, you'll need to boot from a different volume to perform the repairs. That's what Recovery Mode is for! Hold down the Power button at startup to enter Recovery Mode. You can now use Disk Utility!

Fix 8: Reset the PRAM and SMC periodically

Resetting the PRAM and SMC can resolve some performance issues and improve your Mac's speed. To reset the SMC on a MacBook Pro with a removable battery, follow these steps:

Step 1: Turn off your Mac.

Step three: Remove the battery.

Step Four: Hold the power button down for five seconds, put the battery back in, and plug the machine back in.

Reset the SMC on a MacBook with an integrated battery by following these steps:

Step 1: Turn off your MacBook to reset the SMC.

Step 2: Hold down the “Shift+Control+Option” keys for 10 seconds.

Please press the Shift, Control, and Option keys at the same time.

Step 3: Hold down the Mac's power button for 10 seconds.

Step four: Release all keys, and power on the machine.

To reset the PRAM, follow these steps:

Step 1: Turn off your MacBook.

Step Two: While still holding down the Power button, press "Command + Option + P."

Step 3: Release the buttons after a few seconds.

This fix might improve performance issues on your Mac, making it run faster.

The bottom line?

If your Mac is running slower than a Mac five years its senior, you must identify the issue and take action. However, the amount of cleaning you need to do can be daunting. These fixes are easy to execute, and one of them will optimize your Mac's performance. Nonetheless, while fixing this optimization error, if you encounter data loss, install the Data Recovery Wizard for Mac tool to retrieve various types of data.

Frequently Asked Questions About Optimizing Mac Performance

Here are some common questions and answers about optimizing your Mac's performance:

1. How can I optimize the performance of my Mac M1? To optimize the performance of your Mac M1, try these steps: 1. **Keep your system up to date**: Ensure your Mac is running the latest version of macOS. Apple frequently releases updates to enhance performance and compatibility. Check for and install available updates in "System Preferences" > "Software Update." 2. **Close unnecessary apps**: When your Mac runs multiple apps, it may slow down. Regularly check Activity Monitor (found in "Utilities") and close unused programs. 3. **Clean up disk space**: Maintaining ample hard drive space is crucial for performance. Manage your files using "About This Mac" > "Storage," and consider deleting no-longer-needed files or using cloud storage services. 4. **Disable login items**: Reducing the number of apps that launch at startup can speed up boot times. In "System Preferences" > "Users & Groups," select your account and click "Login Items" to manage these apps. 5. **Optimize energy settings**: Adjust settings in "System Preferences" > "Energy Saver" to balance performance and battery life. 6. **Update software**: Make sure all installed applications are up to date, as developers may have optimized them for the M1 chip. 7. **Use native software**: Apple's native apps generally make better use of the M1's performance. Consider using alternatives like Safari, Mail, and the iWork suite. 8. **Reset NVRAM/PRAM**: If experiencing performance issues, try resetting the Non-Volatile Random-Access Memory (NVRAM) or Parameter RAM (PRAM). Restart your Mac, and during startup, press and hold Command + Option + P + R until you hear two startup chimes. 9. **Contact Apple Support**: If none of these steps help, reach out to Apple Support or schedule a Genius Bar appointment for professional assistance. Remember, even though the M1 chip is powerful, performance can decline when handling heavy workloads. Reasonable usage and regular maintenance will help maintain optimal performance.

You can optimize the performance of your Mac with an M1 chip by updating to the latest version of macOS. Here's a step-by-step guide: 1. **Check for Updates**: First, open "System Preferences." 2. **Select "Software Update"**: In the System Preferences window, click on the "Software Update" icon. 3. **Wait for Scanning**: The system will automatically scan for available updates, which may take a moment. 4. **Review Updates**: If there are any updates available, they will be displayed in the window. You might see major macOS updates, security updates, or updates for other apps. 5. **Download and Install**: Click "Update Now" or "Download and Install" to start the update process. Follow any prompts that appear, which might require entering your login password. 6. **Prepare for Update**: The system will prepare the update files and may ask you to back up your data (though this is not mandatory, it's recommended as a precaution). 7. **Installation Process**: Click "Continue" to initiate the installation. Your Mac might restart and display a progress bar. 8. **Complete the Update**: Wait for the installation to finish, then follow any on-screen instructions. Your Mac might automatically restart and boot into the new system version. 9. **Confirm the Update**: After the update, open "Software Update" again to ensure no other important updates have been missed. Remember to keep your Mac connected to power throughout the process to avoid interruption due to battery depletion. Also, maintaining a stable internet connection is crucial.

Step 1: Click the Apple menu and choose “System Preferences” > “Software Update.”

Step 2: Wait for your MacBook to search for updates.

If an update is available, click Install Update.

What does “Optimize Mac” mean?

This optimization message typically appears after you install a system software update, log in with a different user account, or restart your Mac after it's been inactive for a long time.

< b > Will freeing up storage space make my MacBook Pro run faster? < /b >

A Mac can run slow due to cluttered files taking up disk space and unused programs bogging it down. Cleaning your Mac can help resolve these issues and speed it up. This involves deleting junk files or persistent junk data.

Can I upgrade the RAM in my Mac?

The method for upgrading the RAM depends on your model of Mac; some, like the MacBook Air, cannot be upgraded. When upgrading the RAM on a Mac, you usually have to remove the casing and replace the old RAM chips with new ones.