Caches and Logs - can I merrily delete?

[mac98aop]

Hi all

Always like to do a bit of housekeeping to keep the system fresh - and one tip I was given was to remove Caches and Logs from ~/Library

But looking in there I see 1Password files, iPhoto files, and names for all my most used apps.

Can I delete the whole Cache/Log folder without any concerns when I next open the apps, or should I expect to lose important settings and data?!?!

Help and advice gratefully received!

Thanks

Adam

[Sam - MacAmbulance]

Hi Adam

Removing cache files is more of a troubleshooting step than maintenance. Most apps rely on the cache files to work quickly, so in some cases you'll be slowing down your Mac by deleting the cache files.

Logs can be removed safely but they can help when diagnosing a problem.

Regards

Sam

MacAmbulance

Providing affordable Apple & PC services

Sam Mullen
07747 778022
http://www.macambulance.co.uk
in...@macambulance.co.uk

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[Adam Pymble]

Thanks Sam

So if I remove caches will apps work again and just rewrite a cache file to speed themselves up?

Or is it really not worth deleting them for speed gains?

Oh, ad my home button arrived so looking forward to seeing you in December when I'm in town'

AP

Sent from my mobile

[Sam - MacAmbulance]

Yes the cache files are generally managed well by apps and the OS, they contain lots of information that would need to be recalculated. I'd say it's best to delete them when you have a particular problem, not to increase the speed of the machine. Apps would only have to re-calculate and write the cache files anyway, meaning more CPU & disk time.

For more speed, the best and most reliable way is more RAM, or an SSD drive.

Regards

Sam

MacAmbulance

Providing affordable Apple & PC services

Sam Mullen
07747 778022
http://www.macambulance.co.uk
in...@macambulance.co.uk

[Adam Pymble]

I've thought RAM as cant stretch to an SSD. I've got 4GB in MB Pro.... Would upping to 8 be noticeable? Previously you've suggested 'barely'?

AP

Sent from my mobile

[Sam - MacAmbulance]

HI Adam

yes 4-8GB would increase the speed of the laptop but not as much as an SSD drive. What current capacity do you have on your drive?

Regards

Sam

MacAmbulance

Providing affordable Apple & PC services

Sam Mullen
07747 778022
http://www.macambulance.co.uk
in...@macambulance.co.uk

[Adam Pymble]

yes i've been down this road... I've got 320GB HDD, and getting something close to that in SSD is a little cost prohibitive for me at the moment!

I'll wait for it to snarl up before updating RAM!