How do I tell my Mac to automatically save files to an external hard drive instead of the on-board storage?
My question is: how do I make my Mac save file automatically to my external hard drive? I don't want to have a bunch of storage on my computer taken up because I can't save it to my external hard drive. I have an early 2014 MacBook Air 13.3" 128GB hard drive. As you can see I don't have a whole lot of space for files. I would prefer for them to be on the external hard drive.Thanks,
Many applications will remember the last saved folder but some like Microsoft Word will allow you to set a default location.
There is a third party app that you might want to check out called DefaultFolder X. You can set a default folder per application with this app. Has a 30 day demo.
http://www.stclairsoft.com/DefaultFolderX/
Users with the small drives often put their iPhoto & iTunes Libraries on the external. You can then set the applications to look at the library on the external drive.
Hope this helps!
Similar Messages
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yea, i'm pretty much maxing out on my memory for my lap top and i want everything to save to my external hard drive. especially when i update my iphone and back it up. does anyone know how to get my macbook to do that?
Type move itunes library into the google serach bar.
It has always been very basic to always maintain abackup copy of your computer. Do you not have a backup copy? -
Getting a new Mac this Christmas. I have several questions:
1. How do I transfer files/applications from old to new?
2. I have an external hard drive, do I need to save iTunes account to it?
3. How do I wipe the old Mac clean to give to family member?1. Use the Migration Assistant the first time you turn on the new computer.
2. No, but you should do so as a backup.
3. Click here and follow the instructions. If the computer originally shipped with Mac OS X 10.6.8 or earlier, when you reach step 5, insert its original disk, restart with the C or Option key held down, use the Disk Utility to erase the internal drive, and install a fresh OS.
(118241) -
When I try to drag files into my hard drive, it says the Finder can't complete the operation because some data can't be read or written (Error Code -36). This is happening even when dragging files back into the external drive which had originally come from there. Does anyone know how to deal with this issue? Thanks!
Error -36 is, as X423424X says, a generic I/O error. It doesn't say anything about what caused the error, or indeed where it occurred (source or target).
You have to describe exactly your action when the error occurs. Is the ext'l drive you mentioned formatted as NTFS (Win default file system)? Without additional software, Mac OS X cannot write to NTFS, it can only read from it. -
I have been trying to start using Itunes again, I have a large amount of music on external hard drives and not a large amount of disc space, on my windows version Itunes could use it's library in the hard drive so Itunes would use a directory path to the song file. When trying to import onto my Macbook Air it keeps trying to copy the song files, resulting in a message that says I haven't got enough disc space.
Any Ideas?
Kind Regards,
MEJM1One approach:
Open the menu Edit > Preferences...
Select the Advanced tab.
Uncheck Copy files to iTunes Media folder when adding to library.
This will stop iTunes from wanting to copy everything onto the internal drive any time you add content. This is marginally easier than remembering to hold down the ALT key, however in this scheme iTunes Store purchases, podcasts etc. would still end up on the internal drive.
Alternatively you can store the entire library on the external drive. Close iTunes if it is open, then copy the existing iTunes folder from your profile to the root of the external drive. Click the icon to launch iTunes and immediately hold down the Option key so that you get the following dialog box:
Click Choose Library... browse to /iTunes on the external drive and select the library file iTunes Library. Now that library is on the external you can move any new content you want to add to the library into the folder /iTunes/iTunes Media/Automatically add to iTunes to have it added to the library and organized by it without creating duplicates, or filling up the internal drive.
Ideally you should get another drive so that you can make a backup copy of your library on a separate physical disk.
tt2 -
How do I export edited images from my iMac Lightroom 5 programme to an external hard drive? It seems that only the originals transfer.
In the export dialog don't choose original. Choose specific export settings for your purpose e.g. for a website, emailing or for printing.
You can choose jpeg, tiff etc and also select the size you need, sharpening and quality - click image below which shows an example of exporting jpegs in the sRGB color space. -
I would like to remove iphoto '11 from my computer completely because it is causing too many issues. I would like to ensure that my picture files are safe and stored in an external hard drive. How do I copy the picture files to an external hard drive without taking the iphoto application files with them? Also, do I need to keep the originals, modified, and masters files of each picture?
My iphoto has been unresponsive, and I am unable to do anything once I launch the application.
Option 1
Back Up and try rebuild the library: hold down the command and option (or alt) keys while launching iPhoto. Use the resulting dialogue to rebuild. Choose to Rebuild iPhoto Library Database from automatic backup.
If that fails:
Option 2
Download iPhoto Library Manager and use its rebuild function. This will create a new library based on data in the albumdata.xml file. Not everything will be brought over - no slideshows, books or calendars, for instance - but it should get all your albums and keywords back.
Because this process creates an entirely new library and leaves your old one untouched, it is non-destructive, and if you're not happy with the results you can simply return to your old one.
As to migrating to Aperture: It will import the iPhoto Library and maintain the relationships between Masters and Previews/ Originals and Modified versions.
There is no way to recreate those relationships in any other app.
Regards
TD -
I deleted my back up files from my external hard drive and my trash won't empty. I get an error code -22. Can anyone tell me how to fix this?
JLCruz wrote:
I deleted my back up files from my external hard drive ...
If this is related to Time Machine Backups...
See here > Should I delete old backups? If so, How?
From Here > http://pondini.org/TM/FAQ.html
If the TRASH still won’t Empty...
See Here > http://pondini.org/TM/E6.html -
I have macbook pro 13" I want to know how to copy files from my mac to the external Toshiba Hard Drive. I can't even delete files from my external hard drive. please help me my macbook HD is almost full and I have to copy my images to the Toshiba HD
To delete files from your external HDD, attach it to your MBP and drag the unwanted files to trash and then empty trash.
Then you select the files that you want to transfer by 'drag and drop' to the external HDD and trash the files on your MBP.
Ciao. -
How do I transfer files from an external hard drive to my mac book pro
How do I transfer files from an external hard drive to my mac book pro?
What files are they? Is it a clone, a TM backup, or simply drag 'n drop?
If it's the latter, simply drag them back. If something else, please post back with detailed info. -
I have .pst files on an external hard drive (FAT 32). How do I import them to my mac mail
I have .pst files on an external hard drive (FAT 32), and no access to a Windows OS. How do I import into mac mail?
From the details provided, it appears to me that your Mac Mail should be able to attach the file without any problem. If you can do that then you are going to have to provide more detail for us to help you.
Allan -
own a second hand ipod classic,how can i tell what generation it is if back is scratched and hard drive busted?
See here: Identifying iPod models
Or type in the iPod's serial # here: https://selfsolve.apple.com/agreementWarrantyDynamic.do
B-rock -
How do i transfer file from my external hard drive to my new mac
How do I transfer my files from my external hard drive (all files coming from a PC) to my new macbook pro?
What sort of files? Are you looking to transfer an entire user account or some data files?
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I want to do a clean install of maverick on my 2010 mbp. I need to know what disk to use and also how i take certain files off my external hard drive and put on my computer. When I was having problems with my airport they did a clean install and they pulled files of my time machine. however they forgot to put the partition back in for a windows side. Originally I had Parellels on my computer. After my external hard drive got corrupted i called apple and they fixed the problem but didn't have me set up the time machine except for the external hard drive. Now my only back up is from the external not from the laptop. I am not sure how to do any of this. I am not computer savvy...PLEASE I NEED HELP>
First, you need to make a backup of your MBP onto your external drive. I suggest you start by cloning your MBP drive to the external drive:
Clone Mavericks, Lion/Mountain Lion using Restore Option of Disk Utility
Boot to the Recovery HD:
Restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the COMMAND and R keys until the menu screen appears. Alternatively, restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the OPTION key until the boot manager screen appears. Select the Recovery HD and click on the downward pointing arrow button.
1. Select Disk Utility from the main menu then press the Continue
button.
2. Select the destination volume from the left side list.
3. Click on the Restore tab in the DU main window.
4. Select the destination volume from the left side list and drag it
to the Destination entry field.
5. Select the source volume from the left side list and drag it to
the Source entry field.
6. Double-check you got it right, then click on the Restore button.
Destination means the external backup drive. Source means the internal startup drive.
This clone is fully bootable and also contains a clone of your Recovery HD.
Second, you need to do a clean install of OS X onto your MBP as follows:
Install or Reinstall Mavericks or Mountain Lion from Scratch
Be sure you backup your files to an external drive or second internal drive because the following procedure will remove everything from the hard drive.
OS X Mavericks- Erase and reinstall OS X
OS X Mountain Lion- Erase and reinstall OS X
OS X Lion- Erase and reinstall Mac OS X
Note: You will need an active Internet connection. I suggest using Ethernet if possible
because it is three times faster than wireless.
This should accomplish your goals. You will have a clean install of OS X on your MBP and a bootable clone of your old system and all your files on the external drive. -
How do i set my time capsule up to function as an external hard drive
How do i set my time capsule up to function as an external hard drive? Is this even possible? I had a friend tell me it woudl be a good set up to get a time capsule with my Macbook Air to use as a gigantic external hard drive but then was unbale to wlak me through the setup after I bought the equipment. Any suggestions?
It depends on what you already have equipment wise..
Just bridge the TC..
I cannot walk you through it either if you use v6 airport utility.. due to my refusing to run Lion until it gets network issues sorted.
Download and run the real utility http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1482
Go to manual setup..
Internet tab
Connection sharing.. select off bridge mode in the drop down box.
You can then if you like turn off wireless under airport wireless.. The TC is now a plain network client with hard disk.
Personally I would keep the wireless on but sort the channels manually if you already have a wireless AP or router.
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