Migrate old mac files to new mac

I've just bought a new Mac Mini. Lion is installed.
Now I want to transfer all my files(not just mail etc. but all my installed programs, preferences etc. to my new Mac.
How.?

You may also find this link of interest...
Setting-up a new Mac from an old one, its backups, or a PC

Similar Messages

  • Migrating old iPhoto Library to new Mac

    Hi,
    I recently experienced a hard drive crash on my 5 yr old iMac, so I've purchased a new one instead of repairing and upgrading the old one.  I now have a large iPhoto library on a backup drive (drag file copy, not Time Machine, and yes I am using Time Machine now...).  Since I started with an older version of iPhoto, I have the Library folder with all the folders visible inside, like the Originals, Modified, etc.  I was surprised to see that the iPhoto Library on my new system is a single file.  I had hoped to just drag the existing folders to the appropriate location on the new Mac.  Barring that, I tried importing the Library from my backup drive into iPhoto '11 on my new system (by just highlighting the Library folder in the import window), and boy what a mess I have now.  Most events appear two or three times, with some folders containing all the photos, some containing smaller versions (some type of thumbnails I presume).  I had around 25K photos on the old system, now I have over 55K after importing them to the new Mac.  After having spent a gajillion hours editing the original photos for dust, color correction, etc, I'm not at all interested in re-doing all this work.  I've done some searching but can't find any documentation on moving my old Library to my new iMac.  Any suggestions or a good URL would be great.
    Thanks
    Lou

    Never import one Library to another. Every version and thumbnail is imported like a distinct photo, you lose all your Albums, Keywords etc., the link between Original and Previews is destroyed, the non-destructive editing feature is ruined and so on. In summary: it's mess.
    In your case I woukd simply start over. Trash that Library on the new machine.
    To migrate a Library to a new machine is simple:
    Simply copy the iPhoto Library from the Pictures Folder on the old Machine (or in your case, from the Hard Drive) to the Pictures Folder on the new Machine.
    Then launch iPhoto. That's it.
    This moves photos, events, albums, books, keywords, slideshows and everything else.
    I was surprised to see that the iPhoto Library on my new system is a single file.
    Since iPhoto 7 (iLife 08) the old iPhoto Library Folder is a Package File. This is simply a folder that looks like a file in the Finder. The change was made to the format of the iPhoto library because many users were inadvertently corrupting their library by browsing through it with other software or making changes in it themselves.
    Accessing the files in the Library via the Finder has not been supported on any version of iphoto. As an FYI:
    There are many, many ways to access your files in iPhoto:   You can use any Open / Attach / Browse dialogue. On the left there's a Media heading, your pics can be accessed there. Command-Click for selecting multiple pics.
    (Note the above illustration is not a Finder Window. It's the dialogue you get when you go File -> Open)
    You can access the Library from the New Message Window in Mail:
    There's a similar option in Outlook and many, many other apps.  If you use Apple's Mail, Entourage, AOL or Eudora you can email from within iPhoto.
    If you use a Cocoa-based Browser such as Safari, you can drag the pics from the iPhoto Window to the Attach window in the browser.
    If you want to access the files with iPhoto not running:
    For users of 10.6 and later:  You can download a free Services component from MacOSXAutomation  which will give you access to the iPhoto Library from your Services Menu.
    Using the Services Preference Pane you can even create a keyboard shortcut for it.
    For Users of 10.4 and 10.5 Create a Media Browser using Automator (takes about 10 seconds) or use this free utility Karelia iMedia Browser
    Other options include:
    Drag and Drop: Drag a photo from the iPhoto Window to the desktop, there iPhoto will make a full-sized copy of the pic.
    File -> Export: Select the files in the iPhoto Window and go File -> Export. The dialogue will give you various options, including altering the format, naming the files and changing the size. Again, producing a copy.
    Show File:  a. On iPhoto 09 and earlier:  Right- (or Control-) Click on a pic and in the resulting dialogue choose 'Show File'. A Finder window will pop open with the file already selected.    3.b.
    b: On iPhoto 11 and later: Select one of the affected photos in the iPhoto Window and go File -> Reveal in Finder -> Original. A Finder window will pop open with the file already selected.

  • Migration Assistant Deleted Files from New Mac

    I had bought a new laptop and wanted to put the files from my old laptop onto my new one and used the time machine and migration assistant. When I realized that i forgot to transfer a folder, I went back on the migration assistant and only clicked to transfer the desktop folder and no other files. Once the transfer was complete, I realized that all my files that I had accumulated recently onto my new laptop were deleted. Is there anyway to get those files back (they weren't on the time machine, since they were from the past week or so)?

    Did you have TM running with the new laptop.. if so you should be able to recover the lost files.. otherwise they could be gone.
    Did you have the same user logged on as you had in the original setup.. when you migrate it is so so important NOT to use the same login name.. by doing it twice you might have messed it up. Unless you were backing up the files are gone.. but make sure there is not another user created on the disk.
    You might be able to undelete files but I am not very hopeful. That might be the last opportunity though to recover.

  • I use migrate assistant to move files from my old pc to the new Mac , but it creates the user account. How can i delete the unwanted user account.

    i use migrate assistant to move files from my old pc to the new Mac , but it creates the user account. How can i delete the unwanted user account.

    Welcome to Apple Support Communities
    That's the classic behaviour after using Migration Assistant and that's normal.
    To transfer the data from the new user account to your old user account, you can follow some steps. Here is all the information you need to do this > https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-5472

  • I have just migrated all my files from my old Mac to my new Mac.

    I have just migrated all my files from my old Mac to my new Mac. The CS2 apps are asking for my serial number which I have. But before I follow through on this will this procedure deactivate my old Mac's CS2 apps? I'd like to keep the old Mac active until I'm confident that there will be no glitches with software operation on my new Mac. In other words a shakedown cruise of app integrity on the new Mac. Please advise.

    never migrate adobe files.  properly install them using the installation files.
    for cs2, don't use your installation files.  use Error: Activation Server Unavailable | CS2, Acrobat 7, Audition 3
    and you don't need to deactivate your currentle working cs2 programs.

  • I'm using migration assistant to transfer files from my wife old net book to new mac air and the pc dropped out during transfer.  Pc now says waiting for mac to connect and has is stuck at transferring information.  How do I get the process to continue?

    I'm using migration assistant to transfer files from my wife old net book to new mac air and the pc dropped out during transfer. I started up migration assistant on the Pc again and now says waiting for mac to connect! New MacBook Air  is stuck at transferring information.  How do I get the process to reconnect and continue?

    Whew, good luck!
    What version of OSX is on the older one?

  • How do I move all files from an old PPC to a new Mac Mini?

    How do I move all files from an old PPC to a new Mac Mini?

    The new mini has a Firewire 800 port. Likely the PPC version only has Firewire 400.  The OP will need a converter cable which is why I was asking first about what hardware is available and how much is being copied.
    Probably go with using the external hard drive if you decide all you want are data files.
    If you want to migrate:
    Kappy: A Basic Guide for Migrating to Intel-Macs - http://discussions.apple.com/message/10257343
    Mac OS X 10.3, 10.4: Transferring data with Setup Assistant / Migration Assistant FAQ - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1554
    Setting-up a new Mac from an old one or its Backups - http://web.me.com/pondini/AppleTips/Setup.html

  • How do I copy files from my old mac to my new mac?

    How do I copy files from my old mac to my new mac?

    Use the Migration Assistant, or the Setup Assistant, or use a network, Target Disk mode, or an external drive to move them manually.
    (126811)

  • HT4889 How do I get the files that transferred from my old mac to this new mac to all merge so I am not using 2 set ups? In other words, I have stuff on the "new mac" and everything else on the "old mac" even though they are on the same computer.

    I need to merge my files that were transferred from my old mac to my new mac - for some reason I now have 2 separate setups on my new mac.  I need everything merged to one account.
    Thanks!

    Did you use Migration Assistant? If you set up your new Mac first, you created a user account and when you used MA later, it transferred over the old one. The only way to avoid that is to use Setup Assistant at the beginning of the setup. I used MA once and spent a long time getting rid of duplicates - you can either do that manually or start over: use recovery (Command + R or Command + Option + R keys) during startup, go to Utilities > Disk Utility, erase your disk and download/install again. While going through the setup, use Setup Assistant - it will port over your one and only user account rather than create another.

  • I have recently transferred data from my old PC to my new Mac Book Pro (Mavericks OS). Each transfer creates a new User account (titled 'Owner', 'Owner 1', etc).  I want to merge the files from these transfers into my main user account.  Help?

    I have recently transferred data from my old PC to my new Mac Book Pro (Mavericks OS). Each transfer creates a new User account (titled 'Owner', 'Owner 1', etc).  I want to merge / consolidate the files from these newly created User accounts into my main user account.  Is there a tutorial for this process, or any tips?  Anyone? 

    Four transfers.  After the initial attempt with Migration Assistant failed (after hours and hours of wifi transfer) I did "mini-transfers" of more manageable, smaller bits of files -- my music in one, photos in another, etc.  Since posting my question in this forum, i contacted Apple support, chatted with Angela, and she suggested getting an ethernet-USB adapter for my mac, connecting my external drive with ethernet and transferring files manually -- that is, NOT using the Migration Assistant at all.  She sent me this link to help:  Switch Basics: Migrate your Windows files to your Mac.  I appreciate your response, tho', Csound1! 

  • How do I migrate Thunderbird POP messages from my old Mac to my new Mac without going through gmail?

    Bought new Mac last November. Need to migrate 5 years' worth of Thunderbird POP messages from my old Mac to my new Mac. For security reasons, I do NOT want to upload everything through gmail, but copy them directly through a flash drive. Don't know where to find the Thunderbird POP message files inside Mac OS. Help?

    Hello,
    See:
    *[https://support.mozilla.org/kb/moving-thunderbird-data-to-a-new-computer Moving Thunderbird Data to a New Computer]

  • Windows migration assistant won't go passed the first screen. Connecting hp files to new Mac mini with Ethernet cable. Also tried USB

    Windows migration assistant won't go passed the first screen. Connecting hp files to new Mac mini with Ethernet cable. Also tried USB

    Are you following these instructions?
    http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4796
    Have yo tired by connecting both to same network vice direct ethernet connection?
    There is no direct USB connection

  • When I migrate from my old mac to a new mac does the data remain on the old mac

    when I migrate from my old mac to a new mac does the data remain on my old mac

    Yes. You are only Copying the Data not moving it.

  • After migrating a new Mac Book Pro from Time Capsule, I noticed that I lost a group of Favorites on the older iMac. The puzzling thing is that the Favorites are on my iPhone--not the old iMac or the new Mac Book Pro. How do I get the Favorites back?

    After migrating a new Mac Book Pro from Time Capsule, I noticed that I lost a group of Favorites on the older iMac. The puzzling thing is that the Favorites are on my iPhone--not the old iMac or the new Mac Book Pro. How do I get the Favorites back?

    If you are syncing using iCloud, try going to System Preferences/iCloud (computers) and checking Safari. If it is checked, try deselecting it, wait 10-15 seconds, and then check it again.

  • My CS products don't work after migrating them from an old mac to a new mac. Any ideas?

    Help! I bought a new imac, and used the migration process to move everything from the old mac to the new mac. But now none of my CS products (eg Indesign) will work. I use CS5.5 and CS6. The CS6 says I can run "a trial version" - which is absurd, given that I have a legitimately bought version on disk (that cost over £1000!). The CS5.5. icon just bounces for a couple of times then closes before fully opening.
    Adobe will not help, because they say CS6 is "an old product".
    I am desperate - does anyone have any ideas?

    Migration does not work with Adobe products. There are too many components in too many places, and they don't get copied properly.
    You'll need to use the Adobe Cleaner Tool to remove what you copied:
    http://helpx.adobe.com/creative-suite/kb/cs5-cleaner-tool-installation-problems.html
    Then download a fresh copy of CS6:
    Other downloads

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