How to optimize macOS Ventura

Looking for ways to optimize Ventura? If your Mac is feeling sluggish after upgrading to new macOS Ventura, we've got 9 awesome tips to get your Mac back in top form.

The all-new macOS Ventura is packed with loads of fantastic new features, enhancements, and improvements, but many users have encountered a slow Mac after the installation. Don't panic. Although slightly disheartening after the long-awaited release, it's actually fairly common. Some reasons for this may include Spotlight indexing, insufficient storage space, corrupt disc permissions, and having too many startup programs.

Still, there's plenty we can do to get your Mac back on track. But before we get into the fixes, make sure you're running the latest version of macOS Ventura and give your Mac a quick restart. Both of these seemingly simple suggestions can go a long way to keep your Mac running smoothly.

If neither of these help, head to other tips we've prepared for you.

How to optimize macOS Ventura

1. Declutter your Desktop

A really simple way to boost Mac performance is by managing and decluttering your Desktop. If you use Stacks, everything might seem nice and tidy, but it's alarming what builds up when you can't see it all.

Right-click anywhere on your Desktop, then select Use Stacks to reveal the total content of your Desktop. Take some time to remove items to the Bin. Don't forget to empty your Bin when you're finished.

2. Clear up your system junk

While we're on the subject of decluttering, cleaning out your old system junk, such as cache, application language files, document versions, broken files, temporary files, and system logs, is a great way to boost performance and free up space.

I use the Apple notarized tool CleanMyMac X to manage my clutter. Its System Junk module is built to resolve errors and optimize performance. Removing tons of junk is a sure way to optimize Ventura. If you haven't already, download the free version right here, then follow these simple steps:

• Once you've launched the app, select System Junk from the sidebar.
• Press Scan, then Clean. Note that you can hit Review details to double-check whether the app located some files you may want to preserve. 

3. Manage your login items

Managing your login items is a great way to reduce the burden on your machine and improve its performance on startup. Here's how to do it:

• From the Apple menu, select System Performance > Users & Groups.
• Select your user profile, then press the lock icon to make and save changes.
• Under the Login Items tab, select a program and press the "-" button to remove it.

These items will no longer launch when your Mac starts up, easing the pressure and giving your machine some extra breathing space.

4. Run some basic Mac maintenance

Carrying out regular maintenance on your Mac is a sure way to not only keep your system clean, optimized, and running smoothly but also prevent issues from arising in the first place. It's a bit of a win-win.

Sadly, on macOS Ventura, there isn't one single button we can press to free up RAM, rotate system logs, run maintenance scripts, and repair disk errors, which means it's usually a rather manual process. 

But by using the Maintenance module from the app I mentioned earlier in the article, CleanMyMac X, you can carry all of this out simultaneously. Here's how:

1. Open the app and press Maintenance from the sidebar.

2. Press View All Tasks, then select the following:
   
   Free Up RAM
   Free Up Purgeable Space
   Run Maintenance Scripts
   Repair Disk Permissions

3. Press Run.

5. Reduce effects and transparency

Older Macs might struggle with all the new visual effects on macOS Ventura. Switching them off might help speed up your Mac's performance. Just follow these steps:

• From the main Apple menu, navigate to System Preferences > Accessibility.
• Select Display in the side menu.
• Under the Display tab, check Reduce motion and Reduce transparency.

6. Close memory-consuming apps

Insufficient CPU is one of the biggest reasons why our Macs slow down. So, if Ventura is still lagging, check for memory-consuming apps via Activity Monitor. To do it:

• Open Finder > Applications > Utilities > Activity Monitor.
• Under the CPU tab, notice which items are listed at the top.
• To close a program, application, or process, select it from the list and press the "X" button to shut it down immediately.

7. Optimize your Mac storage

Use Apple's built-in storage optimization tool to help free up valuable space and give your Mac an extra boost. Here's how:

• Select About This Mac from the main Apple menu.
• Now, press Storage, then Manage.
• Under recommendations, you'll see four ways to optimize your storage. Just follow on-screen instructions to enable and utilize these simple tools.

8. Close your browser tabs

Another quick tip is to check how many browser tabs you have open. Unnecessary open tabs can really slow down your Mac because they're constantly in the background updating. Take a moment to close anything you're not currently using.

9. Check your Wi-Fi connection

These days, almost every app we use links to the internet. If you have a poor connection, this will cause your app to slow down, giving you the impression of slow Mac performance. 

Check your Wi-Fi connection by selecting the Wi-Fi icon in the top menu bar. From there, press Network preferences and check for a green light that indicates an active service under your network name. You can also try moving your Mac closer to the router.

macOS Ventura optimization conclusion

Well, now you've got 9 easy-to-follow and straightforward ways to optimize macOS Ventura. Hopefully, these tips got your Mac back up to speed, enhancing your machine's performance, so you can enjoy all the new enhancements and features of Ventura. We'll see you again soon.