1st time set up.

[grizzelda73]

I hope this post doesn't rate as stupid, basically I am just about to fire up a new MacBook pro out of the box its a basic 13" 128gb model, and I would like to know if there is anything that cannot be reversed during set-up ie any info I input during installation without resorting to formatting the root drive. I have been brought up on Windows & I am new to mac OS. Thanks for any help.

 

[radubraharu]

It is good that you asked, being new to macos. I am not an expert, but I would say that as long as you don't mess with the system files, you should be ok. If you want to make some changes that seem more complicated, you can check google/youtube for tutorials, and you will be completely safe.

 

[kohlson]

Apple's approach, in general, is to make things easy for the consumer (with varying results But a standard install takes 25 GB five or take, leaving you with about 100GB to add apps and data. For browsing, email, streaming - more than enough. Things like iCloud link your app downloads and purchases such that you can get them again, and update through the "App Store" on your Mac. Note that your system username/password and your iCloud username/password don't have to be the same. And while it's pretty easy to change you system name/password, it's much harder to do so on your iTunes/iCloud username password.

Lots of tips and tricks - and lots of people here on MR to help. Here's two of my favorites:
- Command-tab switches between open apps (just like Windows!)
- If you're used to a Start Button way of doing things, you can replicate the same thing on your Mac.In the Finder window, in the left side, select Devices-YourMac. Then, Drag the Applications folder to the Dock. It has to be to the right/bottom. Right click the Apps folder in the doc, and check Sort by Name, Display as Folder, View as List.


Bonus tip: nearly everything is customized in Preferences. Under Finder Preferences, you can select what you can see in the Finder (Explorer) windows. Also, go to System Preferences - Track Pad - Point and Click and elect Secondary Click (click in right corner) if that's what you want, or other options.

 

[grizzelda73]

It is good that you asked, being new to macos. I am not an expert, but I would say that as long as you don't mess with the system files, you should be ok. If you want to make some changes that seem more complicated, you can check google/youtube for tutorials, and you will be completely safe.

Thanks for that.

 

[bensisko]

I hope this post doesn't rate as stupid, basically I am just about to fire up a new MacBook pro out of the box its a basic 13" 128gb model, and I would like to know if there is anything that cannot be reversed during set-up ie any info I input during installation without resorting to formatting the root drive. I have been brought up on Windows & I am new to mac OS. Thanks for any help.

It’s very difficult to get the plastic back on.

Seriously though, the only thing that will mess you up (beyond physical damage) is if you forget your AppleID/password. As long as you have that, everything else is fixable. If you forget it, you’re hosed.

 

[Miltz]

I hope this post doesn't rate as stupid, basically I am just about to fire up a new MacBook pro out of the box its a basic 13" 128gb model, and I would like to know if there is anything that cannot be reversed during set-up ie any info I input during installation without resorting to formatting the root drive. I have been brought up on Windows & I am new to mac OS. Thanks for any help.

Congrats on getting a MAC. I switched from Windows 7 over 1 year ago and I haven't looked back. I used to use both, but now I'm full time Mac. There's not much you can do to mess anything up, the main thing is don't download software from unknown websites.

 

[Starfia]

Yeah, good question. Virtually everything you're asked for during the initial setup can be changed later – you're just prompted about certain major features which are popular enough among customers that you're asked when being onboarded. These include an Apple ID (a single sign-on used for most Apple services), whether to use Siri, whether to share analytics with Apple and developers, whether to use location services, and whether to use iCloud. All of that can be found in System Preferences later.

The hardest thing to change without going to some trouble is the name of your main user directory, which I think defaults to your full name without capitals or spaces. You can change it to something else when setting up, but I'm pretty sure you can't change it once setup is complete – and practically all your data is stored in it. So make sure you pick what you like.

 

[grizzelda73]

It’s very difficult to get the plastic back on.

Seriously though, the only thing that will mess you up (beyond physical damage) is if you forget your AppleID/password. As long as you have that, everything else is fixable. If you forget it, you’re hosed.

Yeah seriously I prevaricated for ages with the cellophane, once punctured it's no longer new. As for your reply your point fits with all four reply's the Apple ID being the common thread, thanks for that.
[doublepost=1519740765][/doublepost]

Yeah, good question. Virtually everything you're asked for during the initial setup can be changed later – you're just prompted about certain major features which are popular enough among customers that you're asked when being onboarded. These include an Apple ID (a single sign-on used for most Apple services), whether to use Siri, whether to share analytics with Apple and developers, whether to use location services, and whether to use iCloud. All of that can be found in System Preferences later.

The hardest thing to change without going to some trouble is the name of your main user directory, which I think defaults to your full name without capitals or spaces. You can change it to something else when setting up, but I'm pretty sure you can't change it once setup is complete – and practically all your data is stored in it. So make sure you pick what you like.

Thanks, I think it's fair to say that if all those who posted gave similar advice I would be derelict not to take note. Thanks again.
[doublepost=1519741407][/doublepost]

Apple's approach, in general, is to make things easy for the consumer (with varying results But a standard install takes 25 GB five or take, leaving you with about 100GB to add apps and data. For browsing, email, streaming - more than enough. Things like iCloud link your app downloads and purchases such that you can get them again, and update through the "App Store" on your Mac. Note that your system username/password and your iCloud username/password don't have to be the same. And while it's pretty easy to change you system name/password, it's much harder to do so on your iTunes/iCloud username password.

Lots of tips and tricks - and lots of people here on MR to help. Here's two of my favorites:
- Command-tab switches between open apps (just like Windows!)
- If you're used to a Start Button way of doing things, you can replicate the same thing on your Mac.In the Finder window, in the left side, select Devices-YourMac. Then, Drag the Applications folder to the Dock. It has to be to the right/bottom. Right click the Apps folder in the doc, and check Sort by Name, Display as Folder, View as List.


Bonus tip: nearly everything is customized in Preferences. Under Finder Preferences, you can select what you can see in the Finder (Explorer) windows. Also, go to System Preferences - Track Pad - Point and Click and elect Secondary Click (click in right corner) if that's what you want, or other options.

Yes I've found to my cost forgetting or wanting to change usernames for whatever reason can be irritating (in Windows) should've expected MacOS to be the same, thanks for the intro.