Again, if you read my post above, #33, you'll see where I clearly state that I do all the work from my SuperDuper! backup: launch Disk Utility there to Erase and Format the internal SSD, launch the Mac OS Installation file and do a clean, fresh installation of that new Mac OS onto the internal SSD, migrate/copy needed files, folders, apps, settings, etc. from that SuperDuper! backup, and finally restart my Mac. Given that CCC is very similar to SD, yes, you can use a CCC backup.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Still on Catalina, Should I Update to Big Sur 11.1?
- Thread starter HappyDude20
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
"Clean" install means one has to wipe out everything. (So it is clean...)
With your definition, what is the opposite of a clean install? In other words, if I want to do an unclean install, what are the steps?
Last edited:
First, again for what seems like the millionth time, the phrase "Clean install", as is used in the Apple/Mac world, means doing just a clean, fresh installation of the Mac OS. Obtaining the needed files.folders, apps, etc. is done by the migration process which Apple designed to make it easier and smooth. Of course, the cleaner one's system is, the better. One can of course after the installation of the Mac OS do a one-by-one installation of any third party applications, but then what about settings, files, folders, etc. that are needed? That's why the migration process makes that smooth and reliable.
Whenever a new Mac OS, or a newer version of a Mac OS, is released, Apple offers it in two "flavors": either the full installer, or just an updater file. If one just uses the updater file, it will update the version of the Mac OS currently on one's machine to the new one. That is all that is done. No further migration/copying of files, folders, etc. is needed.
So, the steps involved in applying the updater file are dependent on whether one has the update done by Apple (ie, in the background), or applies it on their own. In either case, the first step is always the same: make a backup. That goes without saying.
Then, one can either have the update done automatically in the background, or download the updater file itself and apply it at one's leisure. Having it done automatically (ie, in the background) does rely on a decent internet connection, in terms of speed and smoothness. The advantages of downloading the updater file and applying it on one's leisure are 1) the internet need is just for downloading the file, and 2) one has a copy of the updater file. That is beneficial if it is necessary to apply the update again (for example, in a recovery situation).
Last edited:
Guys, excuse me , but do we need 4 pages to discuss whether the op should upgrade or not?
I just posted this thread: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/big-sur-dead-macbook-pro-battery.2277651/
If you are on a MacBook Pro I would hold off until this issue is resolved/acknowledged. Batteries in these newer laptops cannot be swapped without replacing the whole top case (which I was quoted at $700 for an out of AppleCare MacBook Pro that is right around 2 years old).
Thank you for your steps detailed in post #33. I'm wondering what advantages might this approach have in my case:
- My 2020 MBP is only 3 months old.
- I migrated Catalina (same version), apps, docs, and settings to this computer from my late-2013 MBP using the Migration Assistant.
- I've had no problems with Catalina on this or the previous computer, so unless the M.A. carried over any unwanted gunk, this machine has only had one OS on it.
- So unless there's some compelling reason to do a "clean" install, I'm inclined to just do an "upgrade" Worst case: I just restore one of two clean CCC backups.
Installing a shiny new thing is tempting, that's for sure. But if you use your machine for work, you gotta ask this to yourself:
- Is there a feature I urgently need to have?
If your answer is no, then don't install Big Sur. It barely saw a bug fix release by now, and probably will not be stable enough for the next two-three point releases.
I was also tempted to install, but seeing the hardware-related failures here and there (screen resolution, battery failures etc.), I am not touching that thing at least for 3 more months.
- Is there a feature I urgently need to have?
If your answer is no, then don't install Big Sur. It barely saw a bug fix release by now, and probably will not be stable enough for the next two-three point releases.
I was also tempted to install, but seeing the hardware-related failures here and there (screen resolution, battery failures etc.), I am not touching that thing at least for 3 more months.
I agree with everything you wrote, but I'm still tempted, mostly out of curiosity (Yes, I remember what happened to the cat!). I don't use this machine very much for work, and I can easily restore a fresh backup if there are serious issues. We'll see...
While everything is stable and basically almost "brand new", I would still do a clean, fresh installation of Big Sur. However, it might be wise to wait a little longer, as V11.2 is currently in beta testing, and will, most likely, be released soon.
Yeah, there is always the temptation. Still, it might be wise to wait a little longer, as V11.2 is currently in beta testing, and should be released shortly.
Last edited:
I'm enjoying Big Sur. However, on my external monitor the small fonts seem particularly small (menu bar, mail app). I'm afraid to upgrade my wife's computer since she does use an external monitor and her eyesight is much worse than mine. I'm going to have to give her some time on my computer to see what she thinks.
The only actual problem I've had (and have yet to resolve) is that I can't get One Drive to work. I've installed Big Sur on two machines and have the same problem on both. I've uninstalled and reinstalled One Drive and it hasn't helped. Basically the app constantly hangs; when I click on the menu bar icon I get a beach ball for a long time.
The only actual problem I've had (and have yet to resolve) is that I can't get One Drive to work. I've installed Big Sur on two machines and have the same problem on both. I've uninstalled and reinstalled One Drive and it hasn't helped. Basically the app constantly hangs; when I click on the menu bar icon I get a beach ball for a long time.
I don't use OneDrive, but strange that it is not working. According to this site:
roaringapps.com
it is compatible with Big Sur. Is there a newer version that you need?
Also, I have been getting used to the somewhat smaller fonts. But is there a universal way to adjust them, ie, the change in size would apply to all applications?
Application Compatibility Table — RoaringApps
Crowd-sourced application compatibility for macOS, iOS and Windows.
it is compatible with Big Sur. Is there a newer version that you need?
Also, I have been getting used to the somewhat smaller fonts. But is there a universal way to adjust them, ie, the change in size would apply to all applications?
I don't use OneDrive, but strange that it is not working. According to this site:
Application Compatibility Table — RoaringApps
Crowd-sourced application compatibility for macOS, iOS and Windows.
it is compatible with Big Sur. Is there a newer version that you need?
Also, I have been getting used to the somewhat smaller fonts. But is there a universal way to adjust them, ie, the change in size would apply to all applications?
I reinstalled from a fresh download from Microsoft's website. One thing about my OneDrive is that my account has some large files on it; I don't actually want those large files sync'd to my computer. But, OneDrive doesn't allow me to deselect them before it starts the whole synchronization. So, it could be something about the contents I have stored up there. The files in question are backup files maintained there by Arq Backup.
I've looked into increasing the menu bar's font size. Some people suggest increasing the font size in accessibility. I haven't bothered trying that yet. But, for my wife, the bigger problem will be the mail app. I guess I could change her entire screen resolution, but it gets a bit blurry when I do that. I really might be making too much of an issue out of this. She might have no problem at all, but it will be a pain to revert the upgrade.
First of all, did you do a clean, fresh installation of Big Sur? Also what version are you using? And as I mentioned above, V11.2 is in beta testing, and should be released soon.
Secondly, regarding "She might have no problem at all, but it will be a pain to revert the upgrade.", before you upgrade her machine (maybe with a clean, fresh installation of V11.2 of Big Sur), make sure to take a final backup of her current system. Using SuperDuper! or Carbon Copy Cloner would be ideal.
So I take my 20018 MacBook Pro to the Genius Bar. I tell them about the kernel panics and all the workarounds. I tell them that I've wiped the hard drive and reinstalled macOS. They opted to do the same because doing a clean install at the Apple store is better. I come back two days later to pick it up. I take it home, and in less than two hours, the kernel panics reconvene. Now I've made another appointment to see what they can do about the hardware even though their diagnostics did not find any hardware issues. I should return the computer for a newer one. Due to my work, I need a working computer and can't afford to spend more time with this conundrum.
Why not just install an earlier, more stable OS until they work out the bugs in B.S.? Seems like you're making a lot of unnecessary work over what's likely an OS issue.
Both of my college age kids made the unfortunate mistake of upgrading their Intel based Macbook Air's to Big Sur. I had to erase Big Sur from both of the Intel based Macbook Air laptops and do fresh installs of Catalina. Too many problems with Big Sur to list. Big Sur was not intended for Intel based Macs. Don't do it.
I wish that was so. But I've already downgraded to Catalina once and the issues persisted there. While on safe mode, it still crashed so most likely it's a hardware issue.
I always thought kernel panic is mostly caused by software...hmnn.
Try and recall what is the common denominator. Is there any 3rd party software you install after doing the macOS reinstall?
The kernel panics are happening with a cleaned installed OS running all of Apple's native apps. No third-party apps installed.
Update: I was bored yesterday afternoon so I reinstalled (updated, not clean installed) BS. So far it seems to be working well. The UI doesn't seem to be as "white-washed" as it was when I installed 11.0 originally. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that BS doesn't start throwing kernel panics again, because, quite frankly, I kinda like the look of BS over Catalina and it does seem to be a bit faster.
I've seen many posts critical of Catalina. In the interest of balance, I should report that Catalina was rock solid and reliable on my late-2013 MBP and is rock solid and reliable on my current 2020 MBP. Different strokes...
This is simply false and not supported anywhere else on the internet (unless it's company selling their software to do just this). The one place you don't need to worry about is the place that Apple has complete control over: The OS installation. Clean installations are about removing junk and clutter, which means stuff added by the user.
Unless you are actually experiencing problems, doing a clean install every year is really overkill. As one user put it: It's like taking penicillin when you're not sick.