Mac hard drive test software - creating the definitive list. Disk Utility, diskutil (FREE, comes with OS) Smartmon Tools (FREE, Open Source) SMARTReporter ($4.95 for commercial version, but an older version is FREE) Scannerz Lite ($21.95) Scannerz with Phoenix and FSE-Lite ($39.95) Disk Tools Pro ($79.99) Disk Warrior ($99.00) Drive Genius ($99.00). Apr 27, 2018  The All-Inclusive Disk Utility Mac Repair The First Aid tool in Apple’s Disk Utility is useful for detecting and repairing minor disk errors. In contrast, Drive Genius has several different utilities for detecting and repairing various errors on your drives.

Sometimes, the default way that my Mac handles files is frustrating. Shuffling through multiple levels of Finder can be repetitive and exhausting. Sometimes, even straightforward tasks—like deleting files by dragging them to the trash—aren’t as simple as they might seem.

I know I’m not alone in feeling this way: there’s a whole range of secondary apps that address exactly this issue. Some are pretty simple and some are more complex, but they all pose the same question: Does your Mac work the way it should right out of the box?

Features of OnyX for Mac

I decided to try OnyX, a Mac cleaning utility and disk manager that helps you supervise and organize your disk. A little disclaimer before we get started: OnyX is NOT for beginners. It doesn’t make anything simple, fun, or pretty. Instead, it delivers a set of powerful, professional tools for gaining complete control of your Mac.

Here’s what it has to offer:

1. Maintenance: This tab contains a checklist of the maintenance tasks that Onyx can perform on your Mac with a single click. These are broken into three categories: rebuilding, cleaning, and miscellaneous. All you need to do is check the boxes next to the tasks that you want to perform. Each task in the maintenance section is designed to leave you with a Mac that runs more smoothly and efficiently.
2. Utilities: These are the most technical operations the application can perform. I’ll confess that I’m not exactly sure what many of the tabs in this section are for, but I did find the Applications tool very useful. This feature collects a number of useful but usually hidden features on your Mac in one place, including the Storage Management, Network Utility, and Wireless Diagnostics apps. Although these are usually buried deep in System Preferences, it’s nice to have them on hand.
3. Files: This feature gives you a high level of control over individual disks and files. You can change whether a disk is visible in Finder, assign it a unique Checksum label, or delete any exact duplicates or AppleDoubles. This feature also lets you delete files permanently (don’t worry—it has a triple-pass Secure Delete option to prevent any mistakes).
4. Parameters: This section offers dozens of options for changing the way your Mac operates. From general choices about display speeds and graphic effects to customization options for Finder and the Dock, it lets you fine-tune all the parts of your computer that you thought were stuck that way for good.

Some of OnyX’s tasks—especially those under the Utility and Maintenance tabs—can take a long time to complete, depending on the size and contents of your drive. Make sure that you don’t start one of these intensive tasks without having a couple of hours of computer downtime available.

What makes OnyX unique?

OnyX is unlike any other disk manager I’ve used. It doesn’t simply meet the user halfway; instead, it demands a high level of input and proficiency. Here’s what I noticed:

1. No Frills: OnyX isn’t very concerned with looks. Its interface is a series of tabs and checklists with only minor hierarchical organization. This look might require a bit of expertise on part of a user.
2. Power: OnyX makes changes at a very deep level, allowing you to fundamentally alter the way your computer works. By addressing the parameters and rules behind the basic building blocks of your disk, it gives you an extremely high level of control, provided you know what to do with it.

One place the app is lacking is in automated features. A great deal of foresight and careful calibration are required to automate some necessary processes (like malware detection and other maintenance tasks), and even then, you might not catch everything you meant to. If you don’t have spare time to figure out all the settings, you may try more user-friendly solutions. For example, CleanMyMac X by MacPaw (love it or hate it) has automated cleanup tools and pretty impressive design.
Here’s what I mean:

If you like to play around with this app, download its free version here.

Is OnyX safe?

A disk manager can make a lot of changes to the deep structure of your Mac. It’s always a good idea to do your research and make sure that you trust the one you’re using. Look for an app with a long history of updates and a developer that’s been around for a while—that way, your computer is more likely to be in safe hands. OnyX was first released on Mac OS Jaguar in 2002, so it’s had some time to work out any kinks.

Another way to ensure that you won’t harm your computer is to use the version of OnyX that matches your current operating system. If you haven’t upgraded to Catalina yet, Titanium software (OnyX’s developer) has every past version of the app available for download on their website.

In inexperienced hands, a powerful tool like OnyX can do a lot of accidental damage. Unlike other disk analyzers, which often make suggestions or mark certain files as off-limits for deletion, OnyX’s commitment to control means that a casual user might end up deleting something important or changing settings to the point that their Mac becomes unusable. It’s important that if you plan on using a technically sophisticated tool like OnyX, you have the technical skills to use it safely.

Best Mac Disk Utility

If you’re worried about accidentally deleting important files, consider CleanMyMac X. Its Smart Scan feature helps you make informed decisions about what you can safely toss and what you shouldn’t mess with. It also gives you personalized cleanup tips based on how you use your Mac. Download the trial version here.

Best Free Disk Utility Software

OnyX Review: The verdict

Disk Utility Software Download

As I mentioned before, OnyX is a powerful Mac optimization utility. In the right hands, it’s got the power and flexibility to deliver great results. It doesn’t require much space and is incredibly stable. But if you’d like to go beyond just cleaning and tune your Mac in more ways, check out these 5 Onyx alternatives — hope you’ll pick the right tool for your needs.