unmerging my computers

lgrillot wrote:

I bought a new laptop and sadly decided to merge the two computers, but now I realize I made a mistake because I didn't want all of this info on the new laptop!

It would appear that you used Migration Assistant to set up your new Mac, thereby transferring much if not all from your old desktop to your new laptop. There is no simple way to undo this. You will probably end up having to wipe the laptop & reinstall it from scratch.

It would help if you tell us the exact model laptop you have (something like "14-Inch, M3 Pro, Late 2023") ... and the version of macOS that is on it.

We need to know exactly what you did to "merge" them. If you just used your Time Machine backup to put all your info in the new computer, simply delete what you don't want.

I think you are saying:

1. You bought a new laptop
2. While setting it up, you used the option to 'merge' all of the stuff from your old computer onto the new computer.
3. So now the old laptop is still setup and available with all your old files.
4. and the new laptop is setup with all of your old files.

Perhaps just reinitialize the new laptop and set it up again - but this time WITHOUT the 'merge' option.

I can only imagine that he has a network home folder on one that points to the other:

Set up home folders for user accounts in Directory Utility on Mac - Apple Support

If so, he has to simply unlink it.

Backup your files to remote storage (dropbox, iCloud, etc.)

Remove the connected folder.

Put your files where you need them.

I am not sure what you mean by 'unmerge'? What had you done to 'merge' them.

+1