Clean install help!

[LvdT]

Hello everyone,

I'd like to do a clean install of Mavericks on my Macbook to clean up all my files and start from zero. What I did so far is put all the files I want to keep on a portable HDD so I can put them back on later, and I made a list with software I want to download back on my computer.

What is the easiest way to do this? I don't understand what I've found on the internet so far, I'm not that good with computers so I'm searching for a newbie-approach. Thanks in advance!

 

[robgendreau]

Hello everyone,

I'd like to do a clean install of Mavericks on my Macbook to clean up all my files and start from zero. What I did so far is put all the files I want to keep on a portable HDD so I can put them back on later, and I made a list with software I want to download back on my computer.

What is the easiest way to do this? I don't understand what I've found on the internet so far, I'm not that good with computers so I'm searching for a newbie-approach. Thanks in advance!

If you have to ask perhaps you shouldn't do a clean install. It is essentially erasing everything you have and starting over. Manually moving all the things back the way you want can be a real headache.

Minimally you should understand how permissions work, have a working backup, and be prepared to spend some time with your computer. It's much safer to make a backup and install the Apple recommends.