Migration Assistant - Other files and folders: include hidden root folders?

Unclear what you mean by “content included in the hidden root system folders” —that’s macOS in those directories, and that’s increasingly locked down against access.

Try it.

Pragmatically, keep your own stuff out of the hidden system folders, out of the top-level volume directories, and other “weird” spots. Keep your additions to /Users, /usr/local, /Applications, /Library, and other documented locations.

David Hollis2 wrote:

I have migrated from Mac OS Classic through various iterations of Mac OS X. So, there could be additional content installed in those hidden root folders. I have no idea what could be there.

I simply want to make sure it is NOT copied to a new system.

Many thanks,

David

Then Setup Assistant and Migration Assistant may not be for you. Those apps will transfer whatever Apple has decided they will transfer. I know from my last migration where I tried to limit the settings transferred, but Apple transferred items I didn't expect. In the end I performed another clean install and manually copied my stuff over. I really wish Apple would provide advanced options to provide more granular control over things like settings.

Restarting with a fresh install? I’d leave it off, then. I’d also consider leaving off “Computer and Network Settings”, too.

Apple defines “Other files and folders” as “Documents and files from apps”. Not very illuminating, that.