Clean install without having reinstall Apps.?

[lukester]

I have never done a clean install and I know my HD is cluttered .
I have not done it because fear of losing some programs or data.
Is there a way to do it?
If not, what folders carry a lot of the extra useless info you don't need.
I am not sure about buying a cleaner program because yes they find lots of folders but I am not sure what to delete.

 

[maflynn]

The very definition of a clean install is that the hard drive is wiped. So if that's the path you want to take, it means reformatting the drive and starting from scratch.

 

[lukester]

So there is not way of saving certain info, applications, and associated files and then writing them back to the clean install?

 

[Michaelgtrusa]

So there is not way of saving certain info, applications, and associated files and then writing them back to the clean install?

No you have to back up your data to an external drive or cloud service before formatting the drive.

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

So there is not way of saving certain info, applications, and associated files and then writing them back to the clean install?

You can use a Time Machine backup, but that removes the idea of a clean install.

 

[KALLT]

So there is not way of saving certain info, applications, and associated files and then writing them back to the clean install?

You can do it, but it’s a time-consuming effort and requires knowledge of how the apps and systems store application data. I don’t think it will ever be worth the effort, as you’d have to do it manually. Just make sure that you remember where you got your applications from and make a list of the ones you want to install on your new system. In some cases you can copy the applications themselves from backup, if they don’t require a separate installer.

A clean install means that you start from scratch. The only thing you take with you are your personal files (documents, music, pictures, etc) and application executables, but these have to be backed up first. The idea is to get rid of obsolete and abandoned files on your system so that the experience is ‘fresh’.

 

[dsemf]

The following thread describes my idea of a "clean" install:

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1813080/


DS