All About Disk Utility on Mac [Updated for 2024]

If you use a macOS computer, you've probably heard of “Disk Utility.” But do you know what Disk Utility is on a Mac and what it's used for?

Today, we will introduce you to Disk Utility. We'll tell you about the definition and main functions of Disk Utility on a Mac. Just read on and find your answers about the Mac Disk Utility.

Disk Utility on a Mac

First off, you need to understand what Disk Utility means on a Mac. Disk Utility is an app that comes baked into macOS, allowing your computer to perform various user operations. Experienced users find Disk Utility on a Mac very handy for managing their machines. However, it might not be as user-friendly for newcomers to macOS. So, if you're new to macOS, it's best to avoid using Disk Utility.

Disk Utility isn't as easy to find on a Mac, but it's located within the Applications folder. Skip ahead to How to Open Disk Utility on a Mac if you want to learn how to open it. You can do so using Spotlight or by navigating to it through Applications.

Disk utilities also exist for Windows. Here's an article on the 5 best disk utilities for Windows. Click on the link and read the article:

Best Windows (11) Disk Utilities for Free Download in 2022 [Free & Paid]

On this page, you'll see the top 5 free and paid Windows disk tools to manage hard drive partitions and optimize disk performance on Windows 11/10/8/7.

Why use Disk Utility on Mac?

Disk Utility is an essential tool on a Mac. Here are some reasons why users might need to utilize Disk Utility on their Mac, check if you need it for any of the following: When it comes to Mac disks, Disk Utility can be quite helpful. It allows you to perform tasks such as:

• Manage, erase, or format internal and external storage devices
• Detect and troubleshoot issues with disks or damaged volumes, and help resolve them
• Format, erase, eject, or partition drives
• Encrypt storage devices
• Add password protection to disks
• Create a disk image of a file
• Change the file system

How to Open Disk Utility on a Mac

As mentioned earlier, it's not that easy for new Mac users to find Disk Utility on a Mac. Here, we provide two guides on how to access the Disk Utility on a Mac, and you can choose the one that best suits your needs.

1. Method 1: Open Disk Utility on Mac from Spotlight
2. Method 2: Open Disk Utility on Mac from Applications

Method 1: Open Disk Utility from Spotlight on Your Mac

Step 1. Click the Spotlight icon at the top of the screen. It looks like this:

Step 2: Type Disk Utility in the search bar, then double-click it to open on your Mac.

Method 2: Open Disk Utility from an App on Your Mac

1. Open Finder on your Mac.

Step 2: In the Finder window, click on “Applications” on the left side.

Step 3: Scroll to the bottom of the "Applications" list, and you'll see a folder called "Utilities."

Step 4: Open Utilities, and you'll find Disk Utility on your Mac.

Conclusions

Today, we have introduced you to Disk Utility on the Mac. You should now be familiar with Disk Utility on your Mac and be able to access it easily using the guide above. Remember, Disk Utility can be very handy for experienced users. If you are new to macOS, it's better to avoid using Disk Utility!

Frequently Asked Questions About Disk Utility on a Mac

Here are some popular topics about Mac Disk Utility. Browse through the questions below to see if there's more information you'd like to know.

How can I use Disk Utility to determine if my hard drive is failing?

Users often search for how to use the Disk Utility on a Mac to check for hard drive problems. The following is a guide on how to do that.

Step 1: Open Disk Utility on your Mac. You can refer to our guide on how to open Disk Utility on a Mac if needed. Step 2: Select the specific disk that's giving you trouble. If you can't find the drive, click "Show All Devices." Step 3: Click on "First Aid." Disk Utility will then scan for errors and help resolve issues as necessary. Step 4: Click "Run." Your Mac won't be usable during the scanning process.

If Disk Utility finds problems with the disk you choose, it attempts to repair them.

Why can't I find Disk Utility on my Mac?

As mentioned, Disk Utility is located within the Applications folder. So you won't see Disk Utility on your Mac's desktop or in any of the folders. You can access it by following the steps in How to Open Disk Utility on a Mac.

3. Does Disk Utility on Mac erase everything?

Users can use the Mac Disk Utility to erase and partition a hard drive, and if you accidentally choose to erase everything on your Mac, all of your data will be deleted. So you need to be careful when using the Mac Disk Utility, or copy any files you want to keep before erasing with the Disk Utility.