Mac OS X: Yosemite: increase responsiveness

In this tutorial we will perform steps to increase responsiveness of the Mac.

Run CleanMyMac2 app

It is not a free option, but considering the amount of disk cleaned it is worth it.

Reduce Transparency

Apple > System Preferences > Accessibility > Display > Select "Reduce transparency"

You can toggle this on and off and you will see that you are not missing much.

Clean Notification Center

I don't ever use notification center so there is no reason for it to update

Apple > System Preferences > Extensions > Today

Clean Desktop

Move all items from Desktop to Documents, or where ever you wish.

Simplify Dock

• Minimize windows using "Scale effect" which is simpler than "Genie effect"
• NO to "Animate opening windows"
• YES to "Automatically hide and show Dock" - if you don't have to see it, don't show it

Speed up Finder

• since we are supposed to keep Desktop clean, it is a good default option to open
• YES to "Open folders in tabs instead of new windows
• NO to "Spring-loaded folders and windows"

Clean up your WiFi settings

http://osxdaily.com/2014/10/25/fix-wi-fi-problems-os-x-yosemite/

Turn off your WiFi

I am providing the following tasks in command line, but they can be done using Finder as well.

$ mkdir ~/Desktop/wifi_plist_backup

$ sudo mv /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/com.apple.airport.preferences.plist ~/Desktop/wifi_plist_backup

Password:

SystemConfiguration $ sudo mv preferences.plist* ~/Desktop/wifi_plist_backup/

Re-start the computer, turn ON your WiFi