l just learned something called 'migration assistant' will this transfer apps, files, mbpr set up that l choose? l have an old time machine in a old 1TB external HD that strangely only has 50GB left. l have saved time machine on it about 3x? l thought the new time machine just overwrites the old one? my mbpr only has 250GB, l guess l just manually delete the old time machine or how to set up new time machine on same drive so it overwrites the old version? or if migration assistant can do this for me, l just chose that. please help. thanks
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easiest way to transfer all software, files and all set up to be same in new macbook
- Thread starter Appletise
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Are you buying a new Mac?
How old is the old one?
What version of the OS is on it?
A tm backup will work well enough.
Basic instructions:
Just before the new Mac comes, run tm "for the last time" on the old Mac.
When the new one comes, take it out of the box and put it on the table.
DO NOT open the lid yet (if it's a MBP) or press the power-on button.
CONNECT YOUR TM (or other) BACKUP.
NOW open the lid for the very first time -- the MacBook will boot automatically when you open it (you don't press the power on button anymore).
Begin setup.
At the appropriate moment, setup assistant will ask if you wish to migrate from another drive. YES, you do.
So... "point the way" for setup assistant to find the tm backup.
Give setup assistant time to "digest" what's on it --- it can take a while.
Setup assistant will present you with a list of stuff to migrate.
I suggest you just migrate it all --- EXCEPT, if your previous Mac is pretty old, you might want to skip migrating applications, and just install them "fresh".
If it's relatively newer, most of the apps will probably be working.
This is up to you.
Let setup assistant do its work.
Again, it will take some time.
When done, you should see your old login screen just as before.
So... log in and "look around".
Good luck.
Are you buying a new Mac?
How old is the old one?
What version of the OS is on it?
A tm backup will work well enough.
Basic instructions:
Just before the new Mac comes, run tm "for the last time" on the old Mac.
When the new one comes, take it out of the box and put it on the table.
DO NOT open the lid yet (if it's a MBP) or press the power-on button.
CONNECT YOUR TM (or other) BACKUP.
NOW open the lid for the very first time -- the MacBook will boot automatically when you open it (you don't press the power on button anymore).
Begin setup.
At the appropriate moment, setup assistant will ask if you wish to migrate from another drive. YES, you do.
So... "point the way" for setup assistant to find the tm backup.
Give setup assistant time to "digest" what's on it --- it can take a while.
Setup assistant will present you with a list of stuff to migrate.
I suggest you just migrate it all --- EXCEPT, if your previous Mac is pretty old, you might want to skip migrating applications, and just install them "fresh".
If it's relatively newer, most of the apps will probably be working.
This is up to you.
Let setup assistant do its work.
Again, it will take some time.
When done, you should see your old login screen just as before.
So... log in and "look around".
Good luck.
Use Migration Assistant as @Fishrrman described in his post. I also urge you to pay attention when he suggests you skip migrating apps. You really are better off installing apps fresh - either through the app store or a DMG file you downloaded from the developer's website (just make sure you have any serial numbers, user names & passwords you may need first).
As far as Time Machine. Never, EVER delete individual files/folders from the Time Machine disk. Time Machine backs up all new and updated files until the TM disk is full, then overwrites older files to make room for new & updated files as space is needed. It does this automatically and if you manually go in and mess with it, you're likely to cause corruption in the entire backup. This doesn't happen every time, but it can happen. You can safely leave TM running 24/7. It's not going to fill the disk any faster because it's only taking up space when you have new/updated files.
thanks just followed your clear instructions and my new mac pro 14" looks almost same as before with settings, some trading software needs to be downloaded again think. where are old softwares or apps stored, as want to delete it. thanks again
When I need to "get rid of" an app, I use the free "AppCleaner".
Get it here:
Then, do this:
1. Open AppCleaner
2. Open your Applications folder (in the finder)
3. Grab the app you want to delete, and "drag and drop" it into AppCleaner's window.
4. AppCleaner will "look around" and gather up all the files related to the app.
5. If any are "unchecked", put a check into them.
6. Click the "remove" button, and they're ALL moved to the trash.
7. Close AppCleaner and empty the trash.
8. Gone!
I'm guessing there might be a few applications that AppCleaner can't "clean out" (perhaps Adobe stuff, Microsoft stuff, etc.). Those software publishers usually make available a standalone "uninstall" utility to get rid of them.
Get it here:
Then, do this:
1. Open AppCleaner
2. Open your Applications folder (in the finder)
3. Grab the app you want to delete, and "drag and drop" it into AppCleaner's window.
4. AppCleaner will "look around" and gather up all the files related to the app.
5. If any are "unchecked", put a check into them.
6. Click the "remove" button, and they're ALL moved to the trash.
7. Close AppCleaner and empty the trash.
8. Gone!
I'm guessing there might be a few applications that AppCleaner can't "clean out" (perhaps Adobe stuff, Microsoft stuff, etc.). Those software publishers usually make available a standalone "uninstall" utility to get rid of them.