With about every other OS X release, I perform a clean install on my main Mac. There’s a good overview on how to perform a clean install at OS X Daily. I’ve gradually worked up a checklist in Evernote for what I need to remember to do both before and after the install is complete. Here is my checklist.
Pre-install
• Run SuperDuper! clone backup
• Run Machine backup
• Backup sparseimage containing DevonThink database
• Take screenshot of list of apps in app folder (or generate list via Terminal)
• Deauthorize iTunes (on Boot Camp partition, too)
• Deauthorize any other apps with limited installs
• Backup/Copy files/saved games over from Windows partition
Backup settings/rules for:
• Hazel rules – take screenshot and export rules
• LittleSnitch
• MailTags
• Mail Act-On
• Dropzone
• Aperture presets
• Mail rules
• Alfred workflows
• Pathfinder favorites
• FTP server settings (Forklift)
Post install
• Enable local dictation
• Install essential apps
• Install other apps only as needed
• Restore needed documents/files/settings
• Enable system firewall
What did I miss?
Cindy Lauman says:
Hi Evan-
I am thinking of doing a clean install (many problems with Yosemite upgrade) and I regularly backup to Time Machine and an Airport Extreme. Is there good reason to use a different program? I’ve read some comments to that regard without an explanation (sort of a “everyone knows THAT” kind of forum.) Thanks for any help.
November 8, 2014 — 7:02 pm
Evan Kline says:
Hi Cindy,
As you probably know, Time Machine creates incremental backups of your files. It doesn’t create any sort of bootable backup drive, though. It is good for retrieving individual files.
SuperDuper and Carbon Copy Cloner both make exact clones of your hard drive. You can boot from that clone if you would need to (such as if your main drive died) by holding down the Option key during boot, and selecting the backup drive. You could actually then work from that drive, as if you were using your main drive.
I had an instance with my iMac where a program kept writing files to the drive, and filled up my drive so it wouldn’t boot. I booted from my SuperDuper backup, and then simply overwrote my main drive with the SuperDuper drive, since the SuperDuper backup had run the night before. It was a really quick fix to get the Mac back into working order.
SuperDuper (and I presume Carbon Copy Cloner) doesn’t keep snapshot backups though – there is only 1 copy of each file (although you can browse your SuperDuper drive in the Finder, which is nice). That’s the beauty of Time Machine- you can go back in time and pick a version of a file at various points in time.
So I use both – Time Machine as my main backup so that I have versioning of files, and then SuperDuper as my clone.
When I upgraded to Yosemite, I ran a pre-install SuperDuper backup, and put that drive in a drawer, where it still sits.
I hope that helps!
November 9, 2014 — 8:21 pm
Cindy Lauman says:
Very helpful Evan, thank you. I have to admit I have not studied the backup-side of things like I know I should. So much of my reference material and work is located either in the cloud or on a state-owned PC that I tend to discount the importance of this on my personal computer. Losing all my Hazel rules and a whole host of other files and settings would truly be awful. Thanks again!
November 9, 2014 — 11:45 pm
Koen Colpaert says:
I have a simular install file I keep up to date with settings and programs I run. After doing a clean OSX install I now use a tool called Kitchenplan that is very easy to tweak and really rebuilds your complete Mac with a few commands. http://kitchenplan.github.io/kitchenplan/
November 12, 2014 — 8:58 am
Evan Kline says:
I hadn’t heard of that one, Koen. I’ll check it out. Thanks for the tip.
November 14, 2014 — 6:47 am