If you wish to back up files stored on your Mac’s Desktop and within the Documents folder to iCloud, ensure that checkbox is selected. Click the respective Options button, then review the various settings ( Figure C). Pay particular attention to iCloud Drive. Ensure iCloud is highlighted within the left-side navigation bar and review each of the applications and services ( Figure B) to correct boxes that are checked, enabling data to be stored in the cloud as you intend.įigure B iCloud storage and status, among other items, are displayed within the Apple ID window. Review iCloud settings and confirm the proper applications and file locations are configured as required by clicking Finder, selecting System Preferences and clicking Apple ID.
#Maintenance for mac software#
Similar problems, in which a routine is set up and changes but we don’t remember to go back and adjust software configurations to account for the changes, occur with iCloud. Ensure iCloud remains properly associated with apps and content From there you can make any required adjustments using the provided + and – icons. You can confirm the status of directories being backed up, or excluded, by clicking the Options button and reviewing any items listed as excluded from the backup within the resulting window. In this specific case, I’d been traveling and hadn’t had an opportunity to physically connect the disk to permit a backup to complete, a problem resolved by connecting the indicated drive and permitting the backup time to run. Review and clear any errors, such as what is shown in Figure A, in which Time Machine is alerting the user (via the red I icon) that Time Machine couldn’t complete a backup to the “LaCie” drive because the disk could not be found.įigure A Time Machine will display a red I icon if a backup hasn’t completed recently. To review Time Machine settings and status, click Finder, select Applications and double-click System Preferences, then select Time Machine. Sometimes backups begin with specific file shares, but over time we change the location where we store data and those previously excluded directories need to be added back into the backup routine. The occasion is also a perfect opportunity to review the Time Machine backup settings and ensure you haven’t omitted any files, folders or directories from the backup. Review your Mac’s Time Machine operations and confirm backups are completing properly to the Time Machine drives you use in rotation and resolve any errors you discover. So leverage the natural pause that occurs with business activities around the holidays to check out your Mac’s Time Machine setup. SEE: macOS tune up checklist (TechRepublic Premium) Maintaining one - or even two - external hard drives, one of which is stored safely connected to nothing, thereby preventing accidental deletion, data corruption, malware infection or some other error, is a best practice I recommend. You might write over files you need, malware could corrupt your online files or you could suffer a different accident or disaster. You can accidentally - even unknowingly - delete files you need and not discover the error until it’s too late. You are using Time Machine, right? Despite widespread use of Apple iCloud and Microsoft OneDrive, don’t assume your data is fine and sufficiently protected just because your files are stored in the cloud. Confirm Time Machine backups are completing properly.
#Maintenance for mac mac#
So here’s a quick list of three simple steps you can take to help prepare your Mac for 2022. As this year marks the second pandemic holiday season in a row, with the Omicron variant spreading at a previously unprecedented rate, maintaining focus during the traditional holiday break is tough. But sometimes the list simply runs too long: remove unneeded files, purge unused applications, run file permission and disk repair operations and similar. There’s a lot of advice this time of year regarding routine steps you should take to ensure your work Mac is given a quick once over and that you’re ready for 2022. These quick steps will help keep your Mac running steady in 2022.
#Maintenance for mac full#
Year-end Mac maintenance is always a good idea for your work laptop or desktop, but the 2021 holiday season is full of distractions. 3 quick Mac maintenance tips for business professionals