Tools to help you understand which files are taking up the most space on your hard disk. Useful to inform back-up and sync'ing strategies and evaluating options.
List of Mac utilities to check file sizes
Using a utility from the below list can help you identify large files on your Mac. Using this tool can help you clear off more disk space and help determine how best to focus back-ups. Knowing file sizes can also guide how best to arrange your files for use with sync'ing tools such as Cornell's Box.com service, <cornell.box.com>.
Extracted list from <http://www.takecontrolbooks.com/maintaining-mac>:
Oliver likes this one, which is commercial-quality, but still free:
- OmniDiskSweeper: http://www.omnigroup.com/products/omnidisksweeper/ (free)
Other options, with notes from Oliver:
- DaisyDisk: http://www.daisydiskapp.com/ ($9.95)
- Disk Inventory X: http://www.derlien.com/ (free) Note date of last refresh: 2005-10-09, as of March 2013. BUT, works great with 10.8 iMac. Shows folder size, too.
- GrandPerspective: http://grandperspectiv.sourceforge.net/ (free) See http://grandperspectiv.sourceforge.net/HelpDocumentation/GrandPerspectiveHelp.html. Required me reduce10.8's default security setting in order to launch application (since not signed). Didn't show folder size.
- JDiskReport: http://jgoodies.com/freeware/jdiskreport/ (free) Downloaded file reported as broken when tried on 10.8 iMac, March 2013.
- WhatSize: http://id-design.com/software/whatsize/ ($12.99)
Take Control ebooks
If you are interested in buying the ebook cited above, “Take Control of Maintaining Your Mac, Second Edition”, it’s available for $10 here:
http://www.takecontrolbooks.com/maintaining-mac
Disclosure: Oliver performs contractual work for the publishers of this title. He welcomes your questions about Take Control's many other titles and services, of course
Keywords: Mac, size, usage, disk, hard drive.