Mac: Upgrading your Operating System

Overview - You Need These Things:

At least 45 GB of available storage space (storage can be cleared out at home or school)
- Any Adobe software that needs to be removed should be done through Creative Cloud NOT the Applications Folder
- You could Update first if you are not on 11.7.10 - follow the directions here
Upgrade At Home: The student computer running macOS 11 (Big Sur) OR macOS 12 (Ventura), plugged into an electrical outlet and charging with an Apple charger
- The upgrade installer is found in FTIS Self Service NOT System Preferences/Settings
Set aside roughly 1 hour of time to perform the upgrade

The guide below gives you detailed steps to accomplish these tasks - follow each step

Students need to develop a habit of upgrading their operating systems.

Currently, student devices that are below the operating system needed, will be upgrading to macOS 14 (Sonoma)

Step 1: Check your Storage

Click on the Apple

Click "About this Mac"

Click Storage

You should see that you are on MacOS Big Sur OR macOS Monterey

This is getting upgraded!

Check the Storage

The example above only has 17.81 GB - this is not enough.

Go to Step 2 if you have less than 45 GB of available space.
Scroll down to Step 3 if you have more than 45 GB

If you do not have more than 45 GB of storage:

Step 2: Clean up your Hard Drive

You need 45 GB of storage on your hard drive drive to intall and download the upgrade. Here are strategies to help you clear that space.

Delete Old Files

On your MacBook review the files in your Downloads, Desktop and Documents area and move to Trash anything you no longer need
Empty your Trash
Watch the video if you don't know how to do these things
Check your Storage to see if you have at least 45GB to download the Upgrade

2. Move files to your Cloud Storage

Move things to your Google Drive
If you don't know how to do that - check out the video

3. Delete ALL Downloads

Completely Clear Out your Downloads folder.
There should be nothing in it! Sort everything you need to save into an appropriate folder in your Google Drive.
To select all files: Click on the top file >> Press and hold Shift >> Scroll to the Bottom and Click on the last File
Drag to the Trash or use Control + Click to Select Move Trash
Empty the Trash

4. Install Student MacBook Cleanup

Go to FTIS Self Service (The Bluebird icon on your Dock)
Locate the Student MacBook Cleanup Installer and click Install
This will clean up all hidden files, delete photos from photobooth, and delete large programs like iMovie, Keynote and Pages - you can get all of these programs back after you have finished upgrading.

If this clears enough storage skip to Step 3

5. Run a smaller update

Running a smaller update will free up some space. For example, if you are below, 11.7.10 you can update to that macOS by following complete directions here

Underneath “Other updates are available” select “More info" (Do NOT click Upgrade Now).

Check Storage

Click on the Apple

Click "About this Mac"

Click Storage

You should see that you are on MacOS Big Sur OR Ventura

This is getting upgraded!

Check the Storage

The example above only has 17.81 GB - this is not enough.

Go to Step 2 if you have less than 45 GB of available space.
Scroll down to Step 3 if you have more than 45 GB

If this clears enough storage skip to Step 3

Uninstall Software

Temporarily Uninstall Adobe Software

Adobe Software takes up A LOT of space. You can quickly grab back GB by briefly uninstalling the software and then reinstalling it once you have updated your macOS.

You must do this through Creative Cloud - you will not be able to delete from Applications.

If you don't know how to do that, the video to the right will show you in right about a minute.

Check your storage again once you have finished uninstalling.