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Remove Most Programs

T

tacman7

macrumors member
Original poster
Dec 16, 2022
65
10
Hi, I got this plain Jane M4 a year and a half ago, just playing around with my music and photo's.

Not all programs can be on an external disc but a lot can.

I want to delete most programs and reinstall on an external disc.

That or just reset the computer to factory specs.

Can I reset it to the same software that came with it?

Thanks
 
Yea, I thought about trying to delete everything manually but I always liked a clean install on windows.

I need to prepare so I have everything I need.

Thanks
 
I suggest what Waff mentioned above:
"erase all content and settings"

BUT...
YOU'D BETTER HAVE A BACKUP BEFORE YOU DO THIS (shouting is intentional)!
Once you use it, EVERYTHING that you ever put on that drive will be... GONE.

If you don't have a backup right now, my suggestion is to download SuperDuper by clicking this link:
SD is free to use for making a cloned backup of the entire drive.

It doesn't even require instructions -- one of the easiest-to-use pieces of Mac software out there.
Once the backup is done, THEN it's time to use "erase all content"...
 
You can keep your configuration and user Pearcleaner to quickly remove apps and all their hidden cruft all over the disk.
I would keep the internal disk for boot and apps, and move Photos and Media to an external disk. You can use Music to move the library and links by changing the Files Location in Settings. File>Library>Organize can help consolidate scattered files. With Photos, you can just move the folder, open it with Photos from the new location, and use Settings to make it the System Photo Library. The old files will not get deleted; you need to move them to Trash yourself.

Booting internally:
- Is faster.
- Keeps the Wallet enabled.
- Keeps AI enabled.
 
Last edited:
Like to give that a try...

I've not did that stuff in a long time, I have to download assets and put them someplace?

Then download and run the installer?

github.com

Release v5.4.3 · alienator88/Pearcleaner

What's New Ability to hide unused utility pages from global menu in Settings > Interface > Startup View - #476 "Update All" button now shows progress in toolbar for Updater view Add pinyin sort...
github.com github.com
 
Last edited:
tacman7 said:
I want to delete most programs and reinstall on an external disc.
Click to expand...
You can just move some of them. You don't provide any more details so we can't really help you further. Most made-for-mac apps behave just fine starting from any location. Some programs, maybe adobe programs, might not like being moved. Though I believe you can specify a different location in the installer. MAS apps work just fine being moved, they even get updated correctly.
 
I only use Studio One (DAW) and luminar neo (photo editor).

I installed several programs that I tried but I need to relocate plug in libraries used in Studio One.
 
Ok, that program helped find where I can delete stuff, freed up about 60gb so was able to use UAD update which was 12gb.

That should get me back up and running!

Thanks guys
 
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