How to Optimize macOS Monterey for Better Performance

Edited 6 months ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

macOS MontereyPerformanceOptimizationmacOSAppleSpeedSettingsHardwareSoftwareMaintenanceImprovements

Apple's latest operating system, macOS Monterey, brings many new features and improvements designed to improve the user experience. However, as with any operating system upgrade, you may notice some slowness or decreased performance over time. This guide will give you detailed information on how you can optimize macOS Monterey for better performance, ensuring your Mac stays fast and responsive.

1. System requirements

Before optimizing, make sure your system meets the recommended hardware requirements for macOS Monterey. This can significantly affect your computer's performance. Check Apple's official site for the latest hardware recommendations.

2. Software update

Keeping your macOS updated ensures that you're running the latest version with all the performance improvements and bug fixes that Apple has applied. To check for updates:

1. Click the Apple menu in the upper-left corner of your screen.
2. Select "System Preferences."
3. Click "Software Update."
4. If an update is available, follow the instructions to install it.

3. Manage startup items

Startup items are applications or services that run automatically when your Mac boots. Too many startup items can slow down your system startup time and affect performance. To manage your startup items:

1. Go to "System Preferences."
2. Select "Users & Groups."
3. Click on "Login Items."
4. Select any unnecessary items and click the "-" button to remove them.

4. Free up disk space

Lack of disk space can make your Mac slow. Consider the following steps to free up disk space:

• Delete unnecessary files: Go through your files and delete the ones you no longer need.
• Use storage management: macOS Monterey has built-in recommendations for managing and optimizing storage:
1. Open "About This Mac" from the Apple menu.
2. Go to the "Storage" tab and click "Manage."
3. Follow the recommendations to optimize storage.
• Empty the Trash: Empty your Trash regularly to free up more space.

5. Customize system settings

Check and adjust system settings that affect performance:

• Visual effects: macOS includes attractive visual effects, but these can consume resources. Consider reducing these by checking "Reduce motion" and "Reduce transparency" under "Accessibility" › "Display" in "System Preferences."
• Energy saving settings: Adjust your energy saving preferences to optimize performance.
• Spotlight: Allow Spotlight to re-index periodically or manage what is indexed to reduce system load.

6. Clear the system cache files

Over time, macOS accumulates system cache files that can take up valuable disk space and impact performance. Here's how to clear the system cache:

1. Open "Finder" and click "Go" in the menu bar while holding down the Option key.
2. Select "Library" from the dropdown.
3. Go to "Caches" and delete unnecessary files, but be careful not to delete files needed for applications you use frequently.

7. Manage applications

Applications can significantly impact your system performance:

• Update apps: Update all your apps regularly to the latest version.
• Close unused apps: Make sure to close apps after you're done using them instead of keeping them running in the background.
• Uninstall unnecessary applications: If you have applications that you no longer use, uninstall them to free up resources.

8. Track activity with Activity Monitor

Activity Monitor is a powerful tool that provides detailed information about the processes running on your Mac. Use it to identify resource-heavy processes:

1. Open "Applications" › "Utilities" › "Activity Monitor."
2. Check the "CPU," "Memory," and "Disk" tabs to identify processes that are consuming significant resources.
3. Consider quitting or further investigating any processes that appear to be unusually high in resource usage.

9. Reset the System Management Controller (SMC)

The System Management Controller (SMC) in your Mac handles several tasks, and resetting it can resolve a variety of performance-related issues:

1. Shut down your Mac.
2. For laptops with non-removable batteries:
• With the Mac turned off, press and hold the Shift + Control + Option + Power button for 10 seconds, then release all keys and turn on your Mac.
3. For desktop:
• Disconnect the power cord, wait 15 seconds, plug it back in, wait an additional 5 seconds, and then turn on your Mac.

10. Reset the NVRAM/PRAM

Resetting the NVRAM or PRAM may also improve performance for some issues, as these store settings specific to your Mac:

1. Shut down your Mac, then turn it on and immediately press “Option+Command+P+R” for about 20 seconds.
2. This resets parameters such as sound volume, display resolution, and startup disk selection.

11. Use antivirus software

Although Mac systems are less susceptible to malware than other platforms, it is still possible to encounter them. Consider installing reputable antivirus software to scan for malware that may be affecting performance.

12. Review and disable resource-intensive features

macOS Monterey introduces some new features that may not be essential but may consume additional resources. These may include:

• Background refresh: Disable unnecessary app background refresh under "System Preferences" › "Battery" › Select "Apps" and manage refresh features.
• Notification Center Widgets: Simplify your widgets to reduce resource usage.

13. Consider adding more RAM or upgrading to an SSD

If your Mac isn't as fast as you'd like even after optimizing software settings, you may want to consider upgrading your hardware:

• Increase RAM: More RAM enables your Mac to perform better under heavy load. See Apple's instructions for compatible Macs.
• SSD Upgrade: SSD is faster than traditional hard drives and makes a substantial difference in boot time, file transfer speed, and application launch.

14. Conclusion

By following these steps, you will be able to improve the performance of your Mac running macOS Monterey. Maintaining system performance is essential as you use the new features introduced with Monterey. Regular maintenance, such as managing disk space, updating software, and optimizing settings, can contribute significantly to system performance improvement. Over time, learning to manage the resources your applications use and understanding the unique capabilities of macOS will ensure a smooth and fast computing experience.

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