While I like that my MBP is clean (it feels like running a brand new computer), I don't like that I have to download every app that I need for work. The upgrade install is the easiest way to upgrade your Mac to macOS Sierra. Gone. Everything is clean and fresh and ready for a new start. Time to upgrade! The exception: if you just performed a clean install of the Mac OS and haven’t made any changes yet. But for apps you’ve purchased directly from developers, it can easier to copy them manually. As you work on your new Mac, you may find that certain files are missing. You’ll notice, as you start working with the new Mac, that you will need to enter serial numbers for all of the apps that you did not purchase from the Mac App Store. (Type the appropriate names for the backup disk and your user name.) All of those apps you tried once but decided you don't like? Here’s how to migrate your files to your new Mac, or do a clean installation, and the pros and cons of both methods. If you have the patience and some free time, a clean installation of macOS Big Sur can be somewhat cathartic in its own right. 2. This method preserves all of your current user data, documents, and apps while upgrading the existing operating system on your Mac's startup drive to macOS Sierra. Find out the options for simplifying application migration. Now, open CleanMyPC.exe and follow the instructions to install the application on your computer. If your furniture was all rearranged, you'd have to turn on the lights to see where you are going. Sound alerts, display options, keyboard settings – all of it will be reset to factory settings. You should also run a quick backup on your new Mac for safety sake. During setup, you'll be asked if you want to restore your new Mac from a Time Machine backup of another Mac through Migration Assistant. Open Mail on the new Mac. I don’t recommend that you copy the Preferences folder; this probably contains lots of files for apps you no longer use. I'm in a similar situation. this Apple support document for more on target disk mode. Start looking at the newest dates and work your way back. 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Next, choose the SSD disk and go to the Erase tab. But when you set up a new Mac, should you migrate your old files or do a clean installation? If you go this route, you then need to manually copy files from your old Mac, or from a backup. Apple points out in the support article on migrations that all you … Trying to figure out what happened to it could take a long time. In the Finder, press the Option key, and choose Go > Library. I would like to receive news and offers from other Future brands. So if you want to run it on another Mac, you have to either buy one more license at a discount or reset your existing CleanMyMac license. But you probably use plenty of other apps on your Mac. The first Migration Assistant screen will offer three options regarding data transfer. Select the first one, which reads From a Mac, Time Machine backup, or startup disk and click Continue. 54 other people completed this guide. 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