Help with some time machine doubt

Hi!
I recently backed up all the files from my aluminum macbook using Time Machine because I'm thinking re-formatting my macbooks hard drive because I have too much junk on it and it have some software issues, so heres my question..
What exactly does Time Machine backs up?..If my goal is to put my mac like brand new, do you recommend me to restore all my files using time machine? Or is better to just copy paste the files into a external hard drive?
Thanks!

jorge_1030 wrote:
Hi!
I recently backed up all the files from my aluminum macbook using Time Machine because I'm thinking re-formatting my macbooks hard drive because I have too much junk on it and it have some software issues
Unlike some other operating systems, that's rarely required on OSX, and rarely accomplishes much (well, nothing positive).
If you have stuff you no longer need, delete it.
If you have performance or application problems, address them directly.
As Kiraly, a frequent poster here says, "If your kitchen faucet drips, start by replacing the washer, not tearing out and rebuilding your entire kitchen."
What exactly does Time Machine backs up?
By default, everything on your system, except for some things that don't need to be backed-up, such as system work files, most caches and logs, and trash.
If my goal is to put my mac like brand new, do you recommend me to restore all my files using time machine?
No. If you restore everything, your system will look exactly like it does now.
If you try to restore selectively, you'll have a large mess. At a minimum, you'll have to reinstall all your 3rd-party apps from the original discs (or re-download them), and re-enter registration keys/serial numbers.
Or is better to just copy paste the files into a external hard drive?
No.
Work on the actual problems. Post the biggest one, with full details, in a new thread in the appropriate forum.

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