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Hi there,
Today, one of my computer's just died (old 2010 imac) and I have its files stored on a time capsule.
If I want to transfer its files (600gb) on a mac that I am already using, using migration assistant + time capsule, will it overwrite my entire computer (causing me to lose what I have), or will it just add on to what I have?
Thanks!
iMac Line (2012 and Later)
When you buy a new Mac the easiest, quickest and most reliable method is to simply connect the old Mac's Time Machine External Hard Disk to the new Mac using a USB cable before you turn on the new Mac. When you start the new Mac for the first time it will startup Setup Assistant (SA), SA will get to a point where it asks if you are migrating from another computer, select Yes and follow the on-screen prompts and it's done! It is THAT simple.
If you have already done SA on the new computer then simply connect the Time Machine External Hard Disk using a USB cable and launch Migration Assistant (MA) which is located in Applications - Utilities - MA. Then follow the on-screen prompts.
The ONLY difference between MA and SA is MA will create a new user account that you need to log into.
Both SA and MA migrate applications (not 32 bit apps) , data files, settings, it does not migrate Mac OS itself. Some professional apps such as Adobe and Microsoft apps may require re-installing their apps as they will not allow them to be migrated. As long as you kept the security keys for installing their apps, it is not a big deal. Whatever you do NEVER EVER use Wi-Fi to migrate your data.
SA & MA does not overwrite any files due the migration.
When you buy a new Mac the easiest, quickest and most reliable method is to simply connect the old Mac's Time Machine External Hard Disk to the new Mac using a USB cable before you turn on the new Mac. When you start the new Mac for the first time it will startup Setup Assistant (SA), SA will get to a point where it asks if you are migrating from another computer, select Yes and follow the on-screen prompts and it's done! It is THAT simple.
If you have already done SA on the new computer then simply connect the Time Machine External Hard Disk using a USB cable and launch Migration Assistant (MA) which is located in Applications - Utilities - MA. Then follow the on-screen prompts.
The ONLY difference between MA and SA is MA will create a new user account that you need to log into.
Both SA and MA migrate applications (not 32 bit apps) , data files, settings, it does not migrate Mac OS itself. Some professional apps such as Adobe and Microsoft apps may require re-installing their apps as they will not allow them to be migrated. As long as you kept the security keys for installing their apps, it is not a big deal. Whatever you do NEVER EVER use Wi-Fi to migrate your data.
SA & MA does not overwrite any files due the migration.
Caveat: Migration Assistant can produce two logins, if your previous use of the target Mac has created a user that matches a Mac from the source Mac. Migration Assistant doesn’t try to merge logins. If you use Setup Assistant from the first startup, there’s nothing on the target Mac to overwrite.
IF the new Mac has never been turned on then use SA, if it has been used already. Connect the 2010's Time Machine backup to it using a USB cable and then launch MA on the new Mac.
Alright thanks! So what I'll do is that I'll open up MA on the computer I use everyday and select the "desktop" option, which contains my files to transfer it!
Thanks!
Good to know, thanks!
Does migration assistant overwrite files on a new mac?
