CCC, Time Machine, Build-In Image "Creater"? What is "best" for my needs?

[kmd1984]

Hi,

I have been using Windows since the late 90's, and decided to try something new, so I got a Macbook Pro M1 Max. 1TB SSD and 32Gb RAM.

Back in the days I would install and uninstall a thousand different programs, just to try new stuff. As you might now, Windows "leaves" program files behind, even after you uninstall an "app". I hated that. So I started to format my PC once a week, and got rid of all unwanted remaining files that way. : ). Re-installing Windows was not that big of a deal, but installing all the programs I liked, and then setting them up again, was a huge pain. Luckily apps like Drive Image and Acronis (Bare Metal Image Software) came out, and made the whole re-installing/set-up way easier and faster.

So what I did was install a fresh copy of Windows and make an Image. Then, install all the apps I liked and made an Image. The last step was to change all the setting the way I liked it, and made one last image. If everything went smooth, I deleted the first two images. This way I could install a million apps, and instead of uninstalling them again, I just brought back an image! BAM.

Now, having said of that. What is the "best" way to do this on a MAC?

Thanks,

Kmd

 

[Weaselboy]

macOS Monterey has a new feature that makes this a lot easier for you.



So get things setup like you want then make a Time Machine backup and set it aside. If you decide to start over, use this Erase content option. That will wipe all apps and data and leave you with nothing but the OS just like it came from the factory. Then you can use the Time Machine backup to import everything using the setup assistant that runs at the first start.

 

[kmd1984]

macOS Monterey has a new feature that makes this a lot easier for you.

View attachment 1961842

So get things setup like you want then make a Time Machine backup and set it aside. If you decide to start over, use this Erase content option. That will wipe all apps and data and leave you with nothing but the OS just like it came from the factory. Then you can use the Time Machine backup to import everything using the setup assistant that runs at the first start.

Hi,

Sounds pretty straight forward to me and it looks like this is what I am looking for. However, what about the option of going to the disc utility -> file -> create new image!? Since I am used to creating images rather than "backups", what is the difference?

Thanks for the fast reply!

 

[Weaselboy]

Hi,

Sounds pretty straight forward to me and it looks like this is what I am looking for. However, what about the option of going to the disc utility -> file -> create new image!? Since I am used to creating images rather than "backups", what is the difference?

Thanks for the fast reply!

I have not tested that method on a long time. I know it worked on older OS X versions, but Monterey installs the OS on a separate "sealed" volume to protect it, so I would be surprised if Disk Util will let you copy the image that way.



You can see the system volume shaded out here.

This is part of why that erase all content things works. If just wipes the Data volume and leaves the sealed OS volume so you can start fresh. Under Monterey TM just backs up that Data volume.

 

[kmd1984]

I have not tested that method on a long time. I know it worked on older OS X versions, but Monterey installs the OS on a separate "sealed" volume to protect it, so I would be surprised if Disk Util will let you copy the image that way.

View attachment 1961905

You can see the system volume shaded out here.

This is part of why that erase all content things works. If just wipes the Data volume and leaves the sealed OS volume so you can start fresh. Under Monterey TM just backs up that Data volume.

Ok, that makes sense... Thank you.

Kmd