Best Fresh Install Method?

[NavySEAL6]

I just created a bootable USB drive, and I'd like to do a fresh install. I need help in determining what the best way to preserve my data is.

I have a Time Machine drive, but I'm not sure if that can be used to retrieve data without risking bringing over old problems. Can you restore just files from Time Machine without any part of the OS?

Or should I just drag Music, Photos etc to an external and drag them back after the fresh install? I know that with iTunes for example, I need to be sure to preserve the XML file. Is there something I need to know about Photos as well, or any other apps?

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[simon lefisch]

I just created a bootable USB drive, and I'd like to do a fresh install. I need help in determining what the best way to preserve my data is.

I have a Time Machine drive, but I'm not sure if that can be used to retrieve data without risking bringing over old problems. Can you restore just files from Time Machine without any part of the OS?

Or should I just drag Music, Photos etc to an external and drag them back after the fresh install? I know that with iTunes for example, I need to be sure to preserve the XML file. Is there something I need to know about Photos as well, or any other apps?

Any help would be appreciated.

Do a fresh install and just import your data from TM. You can restore just data or drag n drop. Either will work.

 

[NavySEAL6]

Do a fresh install and just import your data from TM. You can restore just data or drag n drop. Either will work.

Thanks for your reply. I just wanted to ensure I'm not bringing over any issues from the old OS by moving the files through TM

 

[simon lefisch]

Thanks for your reply. I just wanted to ensure I'm not bringing over any issues from the old OS by moving the files through TM

My experience with TM is that you have to be very specific as to what files you want to bring over. For example, I have Ableton Live on my Mac. If I import just the app, that's all that gets imported. No preference files. I have to register the app again. As far as data files, if it's pdf's/docs and the like then that's all that will be imported.

 

[Noble Actual]

I just upgrade to El Capitan from Yosemite then do a factory reset from there.

 

[NavySEAL6]

My experience with TM is that you have to be very specific as to what files you want to bring over. For example, I have Ableton Live on my Mac. If I import just the app, that's all that gets imported. No preference files. I have to register the app again. As far as data files, if it's pdf's/docs and the like then that's all that will be imported.

I'm not at all worried about importing apps. I've collected a lot of junk apps over time and I'm going to do a fresh install of the apps I use.

I know that with iTunes for example, I need to carry over the XML file to restore the library properly. Is there anything like this that needs to be done for Photos, or any other apps that you're aware of?

 

[simon lefisch]

I'm not at all worried about importing apps. I've collected a lot of junk apps over time and I'm going to do a fresh install of the apps I use.

I know that with iTunes for example, I need to carry over the XML file to restore the library properly. Is there anything like this that needs to be done for Photos, or any other apps that you're aware of?

The Photos Library has all the files inside the library (right-click the library and select "show contents") so just import the Library file itself and you'll be good.

 

[NavySEAL6]

The Photos Library has all the files inside the library (right-click the library and select "show contents") so just import the Library file itself and you'll be good.

Thank you!