Exclude ~/Library from Migration Assistant

The problem with Apple is that while some things are dumbed down for a reason (e.g. people go messing with things they don't understand), others are make un-available... where many pro-users would require them.


One such example, in the Migration Assitant, when trying to migrate from a Time Machine backup, the ~/Library folder is not on the list. So it gets restored by default, despite the fact that I would like to exclude it.


This is in fact one of the reasons why I prefer doing a fresh install, to leave all the stuff that's accumulated in the Library folder behind (without having to use some questionable and paid 3rd party app like CleanMyMac which messes with system files).


But no, I have to manually drag things from my backup disk (which can sometimes cause problems, as when having multiple backups, even using the Latest one can cause some files not to be copied correctly):


User uploaded file


Even Windows got it right... there was always an "Advanced" button. And trust me, most people who didn't know were too scared to click it. Most people who use Macs and don't know anything about them wouldn't click it either...


So, with that in mind, is there any hack here? To somehow exclude the Library folder?


(By the way, that "Settings" option, what is that? Only prefernce files for Apps, or also other stuff? And if you chose to exlude Applications, do the preferences of the corresponding Applications also get excluded?)

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.7), 2.53 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo

Posted on Aug 22, 2011 2:30 PM

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5 replies

Aug 25, 2011 6:48 AM in response to Rudolfensis

No more problems that would be expected when you rename an important directory that is actively in use. That is why you need to log out right away and then log back in.


Ideally, you should create a new Admin account beforehand "just in case".


If you wanted everything to be absolutely perfect, you could (in addition to the new Admin account) create a new standard or admin account to match the account you want to use. Then, in the Admin account, while no other user is logged in, use the Terminal to rename the old "Library" to "oldLibrary" and copy the "Library" account from the freshly created account to the account you are mucking with. Make sure to reset the permissions with "chown" and "chmod".


Just renaming the file in the Finder and logging out should work too. It isn't "absolutely perfect", but it should be "sufficient".

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Exclude ~/Library from Migration Assistant

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