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kerki1 Author

Level 1

4 points

Re-install on a new imac

I have just bought a new imac and have Catalina OS 10.15.7 on it. I wanted to start afresh but then it was suggested I use migration assistant to copy over all my old files and applications. I now have stuff everywhere that I don't want. Two application folders and many old files/apps don't work on my computer. I'm so over-whelmed not sure what to delete so am wondering if I can just wipe the hard drive on my new computer and start all over again, this time not using migration assistant but just copying over old files from my old computer as needed.

iMac 27″, macOS 10.15

Posted on Jan 4, 2021 4:15 PM

Top-ranking reply

rkaufmann87

Level 10

143,392 points

Posted on Jan 4, 2021 5:43 PM

Take a deep breath and don' t do anything until you do not feel overwhelmed for a day or so. Otherwise you will likely make your mess even more messy.

Restart the iMac in the Recovery Partition (hold down Command + R on startup) , then open Disk Utility and format your drive. THIS WILL ERASE IT COMPLETELY!!!!!!!!!!!!

Exit Disk Utility and install Mac OS on the drive.

Then restart normally and get Mac OS up and running, DO NOT migrate until your account is up and running. Then follow the steps below to properly use Migration Assistant.

Next, simply connect the Time Machine External Hard Disk from your old Mac using a USB cable and launch Migration Assistant (MA) which is located in Applications - Utilities - MA. Then follow the on-screen prompts. Once the migration is complete log out of your normal user account and log into the new account and you will find all your stuff.

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Re-install on a new imac

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