can i delete file .plist?

jjsupasit · #1 07-05-2007, 01:26 PM

I just wonder,there are lot of file .plist they are in library>preference.
They not big file,but they are many.
Where are they from?
And should we delete them?
And which file we i delete if i want to keep my mac clean?
Thanx for some who advice.

**Chris** · #2 07-05-2007, 01:49 PM

plist files are where your Mac stores its settings. There is generally one file for each program that you have run on your computer. If you have uninstalled a program, you may also delete its respective plist file from the Preferences folder.

**mrcqm** · #3 07-05-2007, 02:15 PM

The fact that you found these files and are concerned about them make me believe you probably have worked with computers at the system administration level. Plist files serve pretty much the same purpose as a key in the windows registry under hkey_local_machine/software. The difference is they're all individual files and as such you won't have the problems associated with a corrupt windows registry (which can easily cause you to have to rebuild a windows computer from scratch).

jjsupasit · #4 07-05-2007, 11:55 PM

thanks you for your all advise,so if i dont get that program i can delte it. Once i try to delete .plist of widget,there is no problem on that widget. may be i can delete them all. Do you think?
And which file can i delete? To keep my mac clean and has more space.
Thank again,

**mmkerc** · #5 07-06-2007, 05:20 AM

If you are looking to free up space there are far better ways then deleting plist files. 1st, remember to empty your trash, I forget all the time then remember and it frees up 10 gb. Second, how many of the languages, print drivers do you have installed? Deleting those will free up space as well.

Lastly note that the system & library should not be occuping a lot of space. Mine for example are 10gb on my Macbook Pro, and 12gb on my G5. Given most hard drives start at 80gb, I would look to other files /programs to delete before the system files.

**mrcqm** · #6 07-10-2007, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjsupasit

thanks you for your all advise,so if i dont get that program i can delte it. Once i try to delete .plist of widget,there is no problem on that widget. may be i can delete them all. Do you think?
And which file can i delete? To keep my mac clean and has more space.
Thank again,

I'll make my answer simple: NO. Don't do this. From my understanding, it would be akin to randomly deleting stuff from your windows registry. Most plist files will probably simply be regenerated the next time you launch their associated application but I would not try it unless (a) the app in question is giving you problems or (b) the app in question is no longer on the computer.

jjsupasit · #7 07-11-2007, 09:58 AM

Thank again,
So i will check for more information about this,to share with all of you

**Mikef** · #8 07-11-2007, 03:41 PM

I can only echo what others have said - Macs aren't the same as Windows boxes. File clutter is not a problem and you should leave the library/System folders well alone. If you run a weekly maintenance program (such as Onyx) the Mac will run smoothly for years - I typically spring clean my hard drives once every five (or more) years. If you install a program and then decide you don't like it then just drag the application to the Trash can.
If you start to run out of disk space then simply get a new external hard drive, preferably Firewire as it's faster access. I have an external drive which has a backup of all my photos, another external drive has a backup of all my music.

jjsupasit · #9 07-11-2007, 11:46 PM

thanx Mike,
yes i run onyx too. And i wonder how your clean up your hard disk? Any program? or re i stall os x.

**Mikef** · #10 07-12-2007, 03:19 AM

I recon that 5 years is a good life for a well used hard disk, so yes I like to do a full hard disk surface scan at about that interval so it makes sense to do a total erase/surface scan and then re-install the OS. That said, last month I 'washed' my first Tower Mac's hard disk for the first time (a Quicksilver that had started to produce DVD coasters) so I left that one for five years since new. For info it wasn't the Mac that was at fault but a c**py digital TV company putting out badly compressed broadcasts so I could have left the Mac alone!