Want to copy all jpg files from mac to an external hard drive

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Level 1

83 points

Want to copy all jpg files from mac to an external hard drive

Hi there,

I am running low on hard drive space. To reclaim used space I would like to copy all my jpg files from hard drive to an external drive. How can I gather up all jpg files and copy to the external drive? I guess I would have to confirm how many GB the picture files are before moving over to external drive. So what is the best way to do this. Once moved, I would want all the jpg files on the mac hard drive deleted. I would also have to ensure none of those jpgs are system files before deleting them too. What I really want are my picture files and no system files that may get grabbed when doing a search on the jpg files.

What is the best way to do this?

Thanks and I look forward to your reply.

iMac(20" early 2008),MBA, Mac OS X (10.6.6), Proud owner of iPhone 4 and iPad

Posted on Feb 1, 2011 6:37 PM

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Answer 1

Kappy

Level 10

362,007 points

Feb 1, 2011 6:46 PM in response to BGmail

Create a Smart Folder that searches only for files ending in .jpg or .jpeg. The Finder has a pre-configured Smart Folder for All Images that's in the Finder's sidebar or can be activated in the sidebar through the Sidebar options of Finder Preferences under the Finder's Finder menu.

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Answer 2

thomas_r.

Level 7

32,031 points

Feb 1, 2011 6:55 PM in response to BGmail

This really isn't a good idea at all. There are just too many potential special cases. For example, do you use iPhoto? If so, you'll delete all the photos from inside your iPhoto library... they'll be copied to the external, but the iPhoto library will be trash. Do you have documentation for an application that includes jpeg files in your user folder? Got any web sites in the Sites folder, or somewhere similar?

Rather than trying to select and move files based on type, move specific logical groupings... for example, your iPhoto library, or your Pictures folder, or some project folders in Documents that take up a lot of space.

Also, keep in mind that you need to have a minimum of two backup copies of everything, or one day you'll lose it all, guaranteed.

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