Factory reset of my mid-2010 mac mini

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Level 1

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Factory reset of my mid-2010 mac mini

If I do a factory reset of my mid-2010 mac mini and don't restore from time machine, can I still access my time machine files? I would like to start from a clean system, but still be able to use the time machine interface to go back and restore files, or e-mails as necessary.

I have recently had the experience of changing my mac air and found that I couldn't simply access the files from my previous machine, but have to use a fairly complicated process to search for anything I need. I am hoping that if I don't change computers, I will not have the same difficulty.

Posted on Mar 29, 2020 9:51 AM

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Answer 1

Mar 29, 2020 11:31 AM in response to JDM50

After you do your fresh install and make sure all updates

have been made, you could simply just use

Applications->Utilities->Migration Assistant

and migrate just the user to the new install.

This will restore a user folder just as you left it.

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Answer 2

macjack

Level 10

111,242 points

Mar 29, 2020 11:43 AM in response to JDM50

Make a clone before you start. You can use a cloning software like SuperDuper! or CarbonCopy Cloner.

Since a clone uses the same file system as your Mac, you can drag and drop. If you do want to drag over your old User Folder, drag the items within the default folders to the corresponding folder on your new system (i.e. Documents, Downloads, Music, Movie, etc,)

I would leave the ~/Library behind because if you had any corruption that is the most likely place to find it.

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Answer 3

QuickPost

Level 10

103,437 points

Mar 29, 2020 10:52 AM in response to JDM50

Hello,

While you could access those files, it would be difficult to find anything throughout the hundreds of thousands of directories that Time Machine makes to organize its data.

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