Waiting to Upgrade to Sonoma from Ventura

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Waiting to Upgrade to Sonoma from Ventura

I have been a long time Mac user and am currently running OS 13.5.2 on my 2019 iMac. I have been following the Sonoma discussions and thinking about waiting for an update to come out before updating to Sonoma. I have never had any issues with prior updates but am leery right now.

I hear that using software update in system preferences does not do a fresh install of all the OS components. It just changes what needs to be changed.

Is this the route to go ?
Does a clean install just replace the OS and leave all my third party apps alone ?
I also see where it was advised in this forum to do the update in safe mode.

Thanks for any help you can provide.

John

iMac 21.5″, macOS 13.5

Posted on Oct 18, 2023 4:44 AM

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Answer 1

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PRP_53

Level 10

94,819 points

Oct 18, 2023 5:07 AM in response to JM Breitigan

If I may suggest Before even considering the move from Ventura to Sonoma

Update the Existing version to current 13.6 Ventura and while at it update Safari to version 17

Link below

Apple security releases

Using the Software Update Applet is normally a good idea and yes there are times where installing from a Safe Boot is needed .

Safe Mode will also eliminate Third Party Software, extensions and drivers from loading. It will only load the Minimum amount of Core Apple Processes to allow the the computer to function at a reduced Level of Performance

A " Clean Install " to me, means Erasing the Entire Drive to Bare Bones and there is nothing on the drive at all

Not sure if that is what you meant but if it were, everything on the Drive is gone

If upGrading from Ventura to Sonoma - Sonoma will Replace elements of the Older Operating System with the Newer Version of the Operating System.

It should leave all your Preferences, Setting and all Installed Third Party Applications intact. It should also not touch your User Account Folder ( Home Folder ) and anything in that folder