Saxman wrote:
I've been wanting to do a clean install, as I know after years of just updating as is, there's a lot of older stuff and settings and apps that have been causing many, many weird actions, that even when Apple Tech people followed them occurring via screen share, they were stumped. However, I've sought advice as to how best to do it, and am even more confused. I surely don't want to save everything to a drive, install the newest OS, only to transfer all the same stuff right back! But I'm not clear as to the best way to filter what is restored, how to reinstall all apps, and what to leave out, so that it truly is a fresh start. Is there any site or page, where I can find the clearest path to ridding myself of old, obsolete, & unfriendly stuff, and becoming fresh? Thanks.
I would start with making sure you have a good backup of your data. I would go for a Time Machine backup and also make a backup using another method just in case TM has some problem with the restoration. Carbon Copy Cloner (CCC) is a good option and it has a free trial period for you to check out the software.
I would create a bootable macOS USB 13.x Ventura USB installer using the instructions in the following Apple article:
Create a bootable installer for macOS - Apple Support
I highly recommend creating this USB installer since some people have issues using Internet Recovery Mode and once the internal drive is erased, most people don't have access to another working compatible Mac in order to make a bootable macOS USB installer. So the time to do so is now while the system is still booting normally.
I would also run the third party app DriveDx to check the health of the internal hard drive. It would not surprise me that the internal hard drive is worn out or even failing. No sense taking the time to install macOS onto a bad drive if it won't help. Post the complete DriveDx text report here using the "Additional Text" icon which looks like a piece of paper and I will review it for you. If you have a Fusion Drive setup, then include the report for the internal SSD as well.
If the internal hard drive appears worn out or failing, then it would be best to purchase an external USB3 SSD so you can install & boot macOS from the external SSD.
When you boot the macOS installer (either USB installer or through Internet Recovery Mode), you will want to erase the whole physical destination drive (Intel Macs only) unless you have a Fusion Drive setup where you will want to just erase the "Fusion Drive" item instead. Within Disk Utility you will need to click "View" and select "Show All Devices" before the physical drive or even the Fusion Drive item appears on the left pane of Disk Utility. Erase the drive as GUID partition and APFS (top option). Quit Disk Utility and click "Reinstall macOS" option.
Once macOS is installed, you can restore from the TM backup when Setup Assistant walks you through setting up the new OS. When you restore from a TM backup.....make sure to only select the home user folder(s). Even then, make sure to uncheck "Settings" as well so only the home user folder & data are transferred. There is also a system wide "Settings" option as well, so make sure to deselect both as well as the Applications. This should get rid of all the clutter that has built up over the years that can affect system performance & stability.
Download & install the most recent versions of only the apps you really need.
