Help - clean install Big Sur, but how to keep applications, settings, passwords, etc.?

[maxmdean]

Hi. I migrated to a new computer last week using Carbon Copy Cloner - the current OS is Catalina. I have everything backed up with Time Machine. My OS is very buggy and I want to do a clean install. I've found a thousand articles on how to backup and clean install, but in looking for the obvious I can't find any articles, namely: after I back everything up (Catalina), wipe the HD and fresh install Big Sur, what are the steps for getting all of my apps, passwords, settings, etc. onto the new OS without importing all of the bugs and sediment I've piled up over the last 9 years? Basically I want all of the settings and information on Big Sur, but without the bugs and sediment.

If anyone has some links on the steps to take I'd greatly appreciate it. (I ran and executed a thorough CleanMyMac X; I have the backup on an external drive; I have already created a bootable drive for the fresh install of Big Sur).

 

[Quackers]

You can migrate your data from your TM backup using the migration assistant.
Having said that if there's lots of stuff on there that could cause problems I'd want to stick to a clean install.
Most of what I'd actually need would come back anyway through iCloud (passwords etc).
Apps and the like would need to be re-installed manually though but that way you don't introduce anything that may upset your new installation.
Basically you can't have it both ways.
And personally I would throw CleanMyMac away but that's just my opinion.

 

[maxmdean]

I appreciate the reply. So with a clean install I literally start from scratch (except for backed up files and what is on iCloud) and would have to reinstall all apps fresh, correct? Sounds time consuming (ie. installing Adobe CC, Microsoft Office, etc.), but I guess that would explain why people recommend it - it's a completely new start - and why people dislike it - a new start is more time consuming than just updating the system with all of the previous settings and apps in place. My ignorance of this is due to the fact that I have, in 9 years (I'm on my 3rd iMac) never done a clean install - just cloned and updated. But the bugs and slow speed have pressed me to do the research.

 

[Quackers]

I appreciate the reply. So with a clean install I literally start from scratch (except for backed up files and what is on iCloud) and would have to reinstall all apps fresh, correct? Sounds time consuming (ie. installing Adobe CC, Microsoft Office, etc.), but I guess that would explain why people recommend it - it's a completely new start - and why people dislike it - a new start is more time consuming than just updating the system with all of the previous settings and apps in place. My ignorance of this is due to the fact that I have, in 9 years (I'm on my 3rd iMac) never done a clean install - just cloned and updated. But the bugs and slow speed have pressed me to do the research.

Yes that's right. The benefit is that no rogue settings or corrupted files are inherited and no apps that have difficulties with Big Sur are imported.
You're the opposite to me I usually clean install.

 

[artfossil]

I appreciate the reply. So with a clean install I literally start from scratch (except for backed up files and what is on iCloud) and would have to reinstall all apps fresh, correct? Sounds time consuming (ie. installing Adobe CC, Microsoft Office, etc.), but I guess that would explain why people recommend it - it's a completely new start - and why people dislike it - a new start is more time consuming than just updating the system with all of the previous settings and apps in place. My ignorance of this is due to the fact that I have, in 9 years (I'm on my 3rd iMac) never done a clean install - just cloned and updated. But the bugs and slow speed have pressed me to do the research.

After 9 years and with a new machine a clean install will be well worth it! (Believe me, I understand your reluctance. I was shamed into a clean install on my last MacBookPro and then when I bought an iMac for personal use I did it voluntarily.)

I suggest doing a spreadsheet of your apps with purchase/registration/login information. Flag the apps that are priorities and just continue with the others as you get time. One of the many benefits of the clean install will be realizing that there are apps you don't use and don't need anymore.