MBP backup, clean install questions

[kelye]

Hi I've read this forum for a while and have learned and been able to figure out quite a few things...thanks!

my situation is probably old and has been beaten into the dirt but hopefully easy to fix.

i have a few year old MBP and recently upgraded to Yosemite which i did not like but several google searches said backing up, clean install and installing a new Yosemite would help and make things run faster.

i've backed up, made a bootable SD with Yosemite and now am totally scared to do a clean install

on my backup drive i have adobe creative suite and other programs. after i reinstall Yosemite after the clean install how do i put those programs back on my computer? do i just click and drag, copy/paste?

thanks for reading

kellye

 

[JTToft]

I'd recommend using a 'proper' backup solution instead of dragging files and folders around yourself.

Do a Time Machine backup to your backup drive, and then restore that after you've done your install.
After that you'll be back exactly where you left off with all files and settings intact, but with a new OS X installation.

This is also a good occasion to get into the habit of maintaining regular automatic backups - which Time Machine is excellent for.

Also, don't get your hopes up for a big speed increase; Yosemite really isn't optimized for running on a conventional hard drive (which is what I'm guessing you're using).

 

[kelye]

thanks JTToft!

i'll do that!

Kellye