Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchPC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11For routine Mac maintenance, start with four built-in tools: Time Machine for backups, Disk Utility for storage errors, Storage settings for space, and Activity Monitor for resource use. They address specific needs; none is a one-click optimizer, and clearing caches is not a guaranteed way to make a Mac faster.
Which macOS tool should you use?
| Tool | Use it for | Risk to your data |
|---|---|---|
| Time Machine | Automatic backups and file recovery | Low during normal use; it creates backups rather than repairing or deleting your files |
| Disk Utility | Managing storage devices and checking or repairing disk errors | Repair can affect access to a disk; erasing a disk destroys its data |
| Storage settings | Reviewing used and available space and finding macOS storage recommendations | Depends on what you choose to remove or change |
| Activity Monitor | Identifying processes using CPU, memory, energy, disk, or network resources | Low when used to observe; force-quitting a process can interrupt work |
1. Time Machine: make a recoverable backup
Time Machine is built into macOS and can back up files automatically. A backup kept only on the Mac’s internal disk does not protect you if that disk or the Mac fails. Apple recommends a separate destination, such as an external hard disk or a disk on your network. See Apple’s Time Machine backup instructions for setup details for your macOS release.
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Once configured, connect or make the destination available as appropriate and let backups run. Time Machine also creates local snapshots on APFS Macs, but Apple still recommends backing up somewhere other than the internal disk. An external hard drive is one practical option; choose based on capacity, connector compatibility, portability, and whether you prefer a directly connected or network destination. No particular drive model is established as best here.
2. Disk Utility: check or repair a storage device
Disk Utility can manage internal and external storage, format volumes, and check for or repair disk errors. Apple’s current Disk Utility User Guide is for macOS Tahoe; its introduction outlines the app’s role. Use it when you have a storage error or need to manage a disk—not as routine cleaning.
#1 Best Overall
- Easily store and access 2TB to content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
Before running First Aid
- Make a current backup first. Repair attempts can fail, and Disk Utility cannot fix every problem.
- If the startup disk is inaccessible or the Mac will not start normally, open Disk Utility from macOS Recovery instead.
- Follow Apple’s instructions to run First Aid on the relevant volumes and containers.
If Disk Utility reports errors it cannot repair, the disk may need further service. Erasing it is another possible step, but erasing destroys the data on that disk; do not proceed unless you understand the consequences and have a usable backup. Apple’s Disk Utility guidance covers repair and recovery steps.
3. Storage settings: find out where your space went
Use macOS Storage settings to review used and available space and, where offered, see Apple’s storage recommendations. The exact path and labels vary by macOS version, so follow the instructions for the release installed on your Mac rather than relying on one universal menu path.
Rank #2
- High capacity in a small enclosure – The small, lightweight design offers up to 6TB* capacity, making WD Elements portable hard drives the ideal companion for consumers on the go.
- Plug-and-play expandability
- Vast capacities up to 6TB[1] to store your photos, videos, music, important documents and more
- SuperSpeed USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gbps)
Review what is taking up space before deleting anything. Recommendations can help you identify options, but the right action depends on your files and needs: removing an item you still need can be more costly than leaving storage as it is. Low free space is a concrete issue this tool can help you investigate; routine cache removal is not a proven speed fix.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors4. Activity Monitor: identify a process using resources
Activity Monitor shows CPU, memory, energy, disk, and network activity. Open the relevant view and look for a process that is using unusually high resources when you notice a specific problem, such as sluggishness or unexpected battery use. The app helps you diagnose what is happening; it does not automatically optimize the Mac.
Rank #3
- Easily store and access 1TB to content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive.Specific uses: Personal
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop. Reformatting may be required for Mac
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
Check what a process belongs to before taking action. Force-quitting an app or process may interrupt unsaved work or normal system activity, so do not stop a process solely because its name is unfamiliar. If resource use is brief or tied to a task you intentionally started, monitoring it may be all that is needed.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Do you need a third-party cleaner or security scanner?
For ordinary upkeep, these built-in tools cover backup, disk checks, storage review, and resource diagnosis. Apple also documents multiple layers of malware defenses in macOS, including Gatekeeper, notarization, and XProtect. XProtect signatures update automatically and independently of system updates; Apple describes this in its macOS malware protection documentation. This does not mean malware is impossible or that you should skip software updates.
Rank #4
- USB-C and USB 3.1 compatible.Specific uses: Business, personal
- Innovative style with refined metal cover
- Password protection with 256-bit AES hardware encryption
- Formatted for Mac
A third-party malware scanner is an optional addition for someone who wants another scanning use case, not a substitute for Apple’s protections or updates. One provider documents both scanning and real-time protection, with features depending on version and subscription; consult its Mac product lifecycle information and version documentation for current details.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Choose a tool in response to the problem you can identify: use Time Machine for recovery, Disk Utility for disk errors, Storage settings for space, Activity Monitor for resource use, and a scanner only if you want an additional malware scan. Installing a cleaner without a specific need is not a maintenance requirement.
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