Manage updates with the Download AppCNET Editors' review
Hazel is a flexible utility designed to help you tidy up files and folders--especially in your Downloads, Desktop, and Trash--and keep them organized with rules that you specify. You access Hazel through a System Preferences pane, where you can create Mail-style rules to execute a wide variety of actions. For example, Hazel's built-in sample rules include options for cleaning up your Downloads folder, such as automatically moving images and music into your Pictures and Music folders respectively. These sample rules only hint at Hazel's capabilities, though, and you can set the app to automatically import into iTunes and iPhoto, add comments, copy, rename, and sort files, and more. You can even have Hazel run an AppleScript or Automator based on any criteria that you set--and Hazel can use any Spotlight attribute in its rules (so, for example, you could even apply rules to images based on shutter speed).
Hazel can also keep an eye on your Trash, by deleting files after a certain amount of time or by never letting the Trash get over a certain size. A new App Sweep feature lets Hazel double as an uninstaller: whenever you drag an app to the Trash, Hazel will move its support files along with it. Once you set up your rules, Hazel runs quietly in the background--or you can have it notify you of certain actions using Growl. More casual users won't want to spend money on a file cleanup utility, but Hazel is an excellent time-saving app if you're willing to invest some effort in setting up personalized rules for your particular workflow.
Publisher's Description
From noodlesoft:
Hazel is your personal housekeeper, organizing and cleaning folders based on rules you define. Hazel can also manage your trash and uninstall applications. Organize your files using a familiar rule interface. Filter on the file's name, type, date, the site or email address it came from and more. And do more than just file. You can set color labels, Spotlight keywords and comments and even archive files. Hazel also cleans, sporting options to clean out incomplete and duplicate downloads. In addition, Hazel can manage your Trash for you, relieving you of having to empty it yourself. All this is done automatically in the background allowing you to focus on your real work.
What's new in this version:
- Fixed corruption when a rule that used the "Add comment" action with a custom token was copied.
- Fixed sporadic crash while editing rules with custom tokens.
- Commas can now be entered in date patterns.
- Fixed the options button being disabled when using an external script for the "Run Applescript" action.
- When a token is exported from an AppleScript and then used in a pattern, the token is now properly deleted from the pattern if the exporting AppleScrip... See all new features
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All versions:
4.2 starsout of 10 votes
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Results 1-9 of 9
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"A Great Way To Keep Your Mac Clean"
Version: Hazel 2.3.10
Pros
1. Automatically eliminates all program components related to an app when the app is thrown away
2. Requires no intervention on the part of the User
3. Inexpensive
4. Simple
5. Worth its weight in bloated system folders that are stuffed with old stubs of long-gone appsCons
1. I can honestly say I haven't found a single issue with Hazel
Summary
This is an application I suggest that all new Users get in order to keep their System Folder from becoming clogged with lots of little application-remnants from apps you threw away long ago.
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"Good Trash Management utility and more..."
Version: Hazel 2.3.6
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.
Hazel is a good piece of work. It not only manages your Trash - removing files which have been lurking there for too long - but also allows you to automatically process the content of folders you choose. For instance, it can keep your download folder clear of unfinished downloads or duplicates.
Hazel's interface, once you try the more advanced features, may be a bit intimidating for newcomers. Automatically processing whatever may cause unintended behaviour, and yo uneed to think carefully about what you are doing.
Hazel can also automatically remove the preference files other associated files of applications you delete from your hard drive. If you find yourself trying out a lot of software in the hunt for the item that fits you best, you will appreciate Hazel for sweeping out the Preferences folder.
I used to use Compost because its options are more limited and direct, and it allows you to have different Trash strategies per disk. Unfortunately, it is not (yet) compatible with OS X 10.6. Hazel fits the bill just as well. -
"Compatibility issues with Microsoft Word on my MacBook."
Version: Hazel 2.3.6
Pros
Program seemed to run as advertised.
Cons
Made Microsoft Word stop responding.
Summary
Not useful for mr since I could not use Word until removing Hazel.
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"I missed it..."
Version: Hazel 2.3.5
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.
I got Hazel when I bought a Mac... bundle. I tried it and came to like. I had a system conflict and I deleted most of my third party applications. Once I found the problem, I found that I had traces of programs left in my computer (Yeah, I know how to check. ) and really missed the one click, one pass of Hazel so I down loaded it again. Too expensive... The seconds add up to minutes, the minutes add up to hours and hours cost really money. -
"Extremely useful"
Version: Hazel 2.3
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.
I've just started using the product but already its saved me a huge amount of time and effort. I make a lot of screen captures and now Hazel tags them automatically with the display profile, while another "batch" can optionally be used to convert to sRGB. I've got the product setup to auto delete old emails in specific folders for Mail. Tech support is superb! I emailed prior to buying about a script issue and got a fix that day. The only thing keeping a five star across the boards is yes, its a bit pricey but considering what I charge <g> and how its saved me time, I can't really complain. -
"All I need is a mint on my pillow!"
Version: Hazel 2.1.2
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.
Hazel is the best system cleaning program I have found. She takes a few minutes to set up but like most things - an ounce of prevention ... AppZapper and TidyUp are also terrific for their own purpose and I use them both but Hazel runs quietly in the background, finding little things I certainly did not know were in my system and saving me much time and formerly wasted space. She never causes problems with other apps and doesn't eat much (memory). If only she would leave a mint on my pillow! -
"Excellent housekeeping app"
Version: Hazel 2.1.1
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.
I have been using Hazel for a couple of months now and find that it, more than any other application, has helped organize my Desktop and Documents folders. My wife was pretty impressed so I bought a license for her Mac as well. Now we can actually see the Desktop pattern that once was covered by hundreds of docs and folders.
OK, so the license scheme isn't much to our liking but I look at it this way: The developer wants to be sure that he's compensated for his time. He is extremely responsive to questions and provided me with a couple of quick tips when I was desperate. One of my problems was quickly resolved and incorporated in the next release. -
"Nice shareware, a bit overpriced."
Version: Hazel 1.1.4
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.
$16 a bit much for this one-trick pony for my purposes. If it were $8 or $10, I might consider buying it. I own a couple dozen $10 and under shareware apps. That's sort of the sweet spot for me. -
"Great concept"
Version: Hazel 1.0.3
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.
I like how this works, it's easier than what I was going to do - many, many folder actions. I think I will quickly find it indespensible.
It's new, not perfect yet, but the developer is very responsive with support (easily earning the shareware fee.) There is also a helpful forum.
I look forward to future development of Hazel.
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