How to Delete Language Packs for Space on a Mac

Removing language packs from Mac OS X can free hundreds of megabytes of hard drive space.

Like Windows, Mac OS X ships with more than twenty language packs that let you view the operating system menus, notifications and other system functions in the language of your choice. If you only need to use Mac OS X in one language, you can perform a custom install and install one language pack. After installation, you can remove unneeded language packs to free hard drive space with free applications. You can also remove the language packs that come with many programs.

Instructions

Monolingual

1. Download and install Monolingual from sourceforge.net.

2. Click the applications stack in the dock and click the “Monolingual” icon.

3. Click the “Languages” tab. Click the check box next to any languages that you do not want to remove. By default, all languages other than “English” and “American English” are checked.

4. Click “Remove.” Monolingual will remove the language files for all languages you have checked.

IcleanLanguage

1. Download and install iCleanLanguage. Click the applications stack in the dock and click the “iCleanLanguage” icon.

2. Click the “Language List” tab Click the check box next to those languages you do not want to delete. Ensure that at least one language is unchecked, usually English.

3. Click the “Cleaning” tab and the radio button next to the language pack removal type you want to run. You can remove the language packs for applications and utilities, for the operating system or for all language packs. You can also drag an application to the “Cleaning” window to remove language packs for that application. Click "Run."

Tips & Warnings

• It can take time to remove all of the language packs on your computer. Do not stop the program until the process is complete.

• Always ensure that at least one language is unchecked before running the program. If you remove all language packs, you will have to reinstall Mac OS X.

• Some Microsoft and Adobe applications cannot be updated or may fail to run if you delete the language packs that are installed with the programs. The “Exclude” tab in iCleanLanguage lets you drag and drop applications to the window to exclude them if you are removing all language packs on your system.

References

• Apple: OS X - Technical Specifications
• Monolingual: Frequently Asked Questions
• iCleanLanguage: Help Manual

Resources

• Monolingual
• iCleanLanguage
• Apple: OS X