Transferring to New Computer

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Level 1

8 points

Transferring to New Computer

My iMac is almost 7 yo and I'm planning to get a new one soon. The last computer I bought, I think I used some type of ethernet cord to transfer my programs and my files. I'm betting that's really old school now. So how should I go about transferring all my stuff. Most of it is on my hard drive.

And while I'm here, how do I know which pieces of programs I need and which ones are old bits of programs I don't even use anymore? Until about a year ago, I even had parts of programs that were Classic, because of the way I've been transferring my files to new computers through the years.

Yeah, I'm getting old; I'm no longer up to date with tech stuff. Thanks for your help.

Kay

iMac 21.5", macOS 10.14

Posted on Apr 5, 2020 5:24 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

rkaufmann87

Level 10

143,688 points

Apr 5, 2020 5:31 PM in response to LKLov

Kay the fastest, easiest and most reliable method is to connect the old Macs Time Machine External Hard Disk via a USB cable to the new Mac. When you turn on the new Mac for the first time it will launch Setup Assistant, SA will get to a point where it asks if you are migrating from another Mac, select YES and follow the on screen prompts. It’s that easy.

New Macs come with Catalina, Catalina will only run 64 bit apps, if you have older 32 bit apps please update or replace them before migrating or you will not be able to run them.

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Answer 2

LKLov Author

Level 1

8 points

Apr 5, 2020 5:41 PM in response to rkaufmann87

Thanks for trying, but I don't have Time Machine. That's how outdated I've become.

How do I know which apps are 32-bit? I remember seeing at some point in the past a message saying that several apps (it told me which ones) wouldn't work on any future OS. I think they're all up to date. So thanks for that info.

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Answer 3

rkaufmann87

Level 10

143,688 points

Apr 5, 2020 7:48 PM in response to LKLov

Do you have a bootable clone backup, if you do not then get yourself one of these ASAP and use it to backup the computer using Time Machine. Operating any computer without a sound backup plan is irresponsible and a certain guarantee you will lose data. https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/owc-mercury-elite-pro

You can use the same drive on the new computer so it is FAR from a waste of money.

To tell which apps are 32 bit, open System Information - Software - Applications and it will note all the applications installed. In the 64 bit column of the report it will tell you about each app. Look for the third party apps you have installed.

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Answer 4

LKLov Author

Level 1

8 points

Apr 6, 2020 2:50 PM in response to rkaufmann87

Thanks for suggesting a backup drive for me. That help, because there are so many out there, it gets confusing.

Now for the next show of ignorance -- where is System Information? Apple Menu? System Preferences? I searched the hard drive and came up with nothing. Thanks.

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Answer 5

rkaufmann87

Level 10

143,688 points

Apr 6, 2020 4:07 PM in response to LKLov

Applications - Utilities - System Information or you can. use Spotlight (the magnifying glass in the upper right of the display) and type System Information (or the name of any app or file you want) .

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Answer 6

LKLov Author

Level 1

8 points

Apr 6, 2020 5:14 PM in response to rkaufmann87

Thanks. Found it. Looks like I have a LOT of apps that aren't 64 bit. Most of them I don't even recognize. Some are up to 9 years old, never updated, even some Apple ones; but a few are less than a year old. Can I just drag them all to the trash? Do I need anything that's not 64 bit? I want to get rid of what I don't need, but I don't want to get rid of something I might need. I think you said something like that in your first reply. Thanks.

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Answer 7

LKLov Author

Level 1

8 points

Apr 7, 2020 7:07 PM in response to virgil208

Thanks. But I think the Apple guys simply move everything to the new computer, which is why I found apps from 1999 (!) in my computer just now. I want to get rid of the stuff I don’t need before I let them move everything.

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