Need to Fresh Install; Can I copy Apps from Application Folder ?

[ParagJain]

Hi,

Quick help; as the subject says, I need to fresh install OS X Mavs. Can I just copy applications like iLife, iWork, etc from app folder to a portable disk ?

I can do the fresh install, copy the apps back to Application folder.

Will this work ? Or do I need to download it from App store every time ?

Thanks,

 

[maflynn]

I think the iLife and iWork apps need to be installed because they install other files, like fonts. You can try it, but I do believe those apps need to be installed

 

[ParagJain]

ah man, it'll be hard work; not to mention the broadband I have is only 8 Mbps, will take most of the day getting softwares downloaded and installed.

:-(

 

[maflynn]

Not all the software needs to be reinstall some of them can be copied, but as I mentioned iWork and iLife do, I wonder if all apps from the app store will need to as well but I'm not 100% sure.

The best way to find out is to try - good luck

 

[madrich]

I think the iLife and iWork apps need to be installed because they install other files, like fonts. You can try it, but I do believe those apps need to be installed

You are correct.

 

[DeltaMac]

The usual process is to retrieve your apps through the Migration Assistant - from your Time Machine backup, or from some other backup that you have.
As some others have said, many apps install files in other locations, so for a totally clean install, you would install your apps from the original installer.
The Apple apps mostly all come through the App Store.
SOME apps can be copied directly from Applications, but others may not be complete without reinstalling the app from its installer.

Another possibility - if you are replacing a hard drive or upgrading to an SSD, and your old hard drive is working OK. Put your old hard drive in an external case, and use the Migration Assistant to restore all your apps and your other files/music/pictures/etc. to the new drive. No need to connect to your internet for that process. It all takes some time - don't expect to rush a fresh install.

 

[ssls6]

Hi,

Quick help; as the subject says, I need to fresh install OS X Mavs. Can I just copy applications like iLife, iWork, etc from app folder to a portable disk ?

I can do the fresh install, copy the apps back to Application folder.

Will this work ? Or do I need to download it from App store every time ?

Thanks,

I've done it and it works. Some programs (not the ones you've mentioned) like parallels needs to be installed but most do not.

 

[razibhasan]

Hi,

Quick help; as the subject says, I need to fresh install OS X Mavs. Can I just copy applications like iLife, iWork, etc from app folder to a portable disk ?

I can do the fresh install, copy the apps back to Application folder.

Will this work ? Or do I need to download it from App store every time ?

Thanks,

I have copied iPhoto, iMovie, Pages, Numbers, Keynote, Aperture from my iMac to MBP and those worked perfectly. So, after fresh installation of Mavericks you can copy/paste those apps back to apps folder.

 

[monkeybagel]

I think a valid question would be - Why are you doing the fresh install? If it is for system stability or performance reasons, I would take the time to run the installers for all of your applications as that would give you the best chance of a good running, trouble-free system.

 

[ParagJain]

I think a valid question would be - Why are you doing the fresh install? If it is for system stability or performance reasons, I would take the time to run the installers for all of your applications as that would give you the best chance of a good running, trouble-free system.

Doing the fresh install as I need to submit my book as BYOD at my company; They'll install the standards asset management software and for that, I need to provide the factory defaulted system ... installed only with os, ilife and iWork apps.

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I have copied iPhoto, iMovie, Pages, Numbers, Keynote, Aperture from my iMac to MBP and those worked perfectly. So, after fresh installation of Mavericks you can copy/paste those apps back to apps folder.

Sounds good, this should really save a lot of download time for me .. thanks..