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General discussion

Is It Normal To Have Two Libraries?

Oct 19, 2007 5:27PM PDT

Hi! While searching to find out what's eating my MacBook hard drive space, I realised I Have TWO Libraries folder. Is this normal? The sizes for both differ. One in my HD1 -> Library is 10.9gig while the other in my HD1 -> Users -> Ran -> Library is 650mb. Can I remove one?

Also, I have TWO Applications folder. Both are the same size, so I'm guessing they mirror each other? If I delete one, would my other one be deleted too?

Thanks!

Discussion is locked

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NO!.....DO NOT DELTE!
Oct 19, 2007 11:47PM PDT

Do not delete either of the two libraries, unless you want to brick your machine. The two are there for a purpose.
You will find that if you create another user account on that machine, there will be another library and Applications folder created inside that users Home folder.

There is not usually anything inside the applications folder that is inside your Home folder.
Fresh from the factory Mac's only have one Applications folder, HD/Applications, because their are no user accounts have been created. Therefore, the user/Home/applications folder is empty when you first start to use that machine.
All the Apple installed applications are in the HD/applications folder.

By default, most installers place the application being installed in the HD/Applications folder where it is available to ALL users of the computer. (Users with a separate account on that machine)
Even those Drag and Drop installers, the ones with the icon of an HD with the instructions to "drag here" place their stuff in that applications folder.

The Applications folder icon that appears in the LH pane of an open window is the HD/Applications folder and not the one in the users Home folder.

However, if you would like an application to be unavailable to other users on that computer, you put that application into the Home/Applications folder and it will only be available to that user.

These two applications folders that you say you have. Where are they?

P

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Oh.. alright
Oct 20, 2007 6:14AM PDT

Oh! Okay! Thanks~

I just checked and realise I mixed up my applications folder. I actually only have one! But thanks! Now I know why I've Two Libraries. Happy