System caches
System caches are created by Mac OS X at a low level. When clearing system caches Cocktail will always clear caches in
the following locations:
Always cleared caches
- /System/Library/Caches/com.apple.bootefisignature
- /System/Library/Caches/com.apple.bootstamps/
Cocktail is by default set to clear even more system caches. Which system caches Cocktail is to clear is configurable
in the options. The possibility to return to the initial settings is provided by the defaults button. The different
caches supported by Cocktail is:
Available option caches:
- Component caches
-
-
Audio components
/System/Library/Caches/com.apple.Components2.SystemCache.AudioComponents
/Library/Caches/com.apple.Components2.LocalCache.AudioComponents
-
QuickTime components
/System/Library/Caches/com.apple.Components2.SystemCache.QuickTimeComponents
/Library/Caches/com.apple.Components2.LocalCache.QuickTimeComponents
- Other components
/System/Library/Caches/com.apple.Components2.SystemCache.Components
/Library/Caches/com.apple.Components2.LocalCache.Components
-
Core files
/cores/
- CUPS (Common Unix Printing System) job files
/var/spool/cups/
/var/spool/cups/tmp/
- Data detectors caches
/System/Library/Caches/com.apple.datadetectorscore.cache.full.system
/System/Library/Caches/com.apple.datadetectorscore.cache.urlifier.system
-
Directory Service
Flushes the directory service cache with dscacheutil.
-
Dynamic link editor's (dyld) shared cache
Ensures that the dynamic link editor's shared cache is up-to-date by clearing and regenerating the shared cache files.
Under normal circumstances Mac OS keep the dyld's cache up-to-date. However, if you encounter "spinning wheel" problems
and get the "update_dyld_shared_cache" warnings in the system console, clearing the dynamic link editor's shared cache
can resolve the problems.
-
Kernel caches
/System/Library/Caches/com.apple.kext.caches/Startup/Extensions.mkext
/System/Library/Caches/com.apple.kext.caches/Startup/kernelcache*
-
Potentially harmful files
Removes most common trojans and worms such as Astht (AplS.Saprilt, Hovdy), Inqtana, iServices, Devil Robber, Koobface (Boonana), Lamzev, Leap (CME-4, Oomp), MAC Defender (Mac Protector, Mac Security, Mac Guard, Mac Shield), Renepo, RSPlug (Jahlav), Tored, Flashback, Revir, Imuler and PokerStealer as well as other harmful files. This feature does not protect against viruses or every known trojans and should only be considered a complement to a full-fledged antivirus application. If found, harmful files are removed and a report that is viewable in the activity log is issued.
-
Virtual memory swap files
/var/vm/
CUPS cache is files created by CUPS and contain the processed print information. CUPS is stopped while files are deleted and
then restarted. Core files are files created when an application crashes and storing a copy of the application's state at
the time it crashed. Kernel cache is cache used by the system to speed up loading of kernel extensions. Temporary files from user
as well as system. Virtual memory swap files are used by the system to store often-used information from physical memory (RAM).