Clean Install of Monterey

Tech Support
1

Now that I have a major project done, I’m seriously thinking of upgrading to Monterey. I know some people still have problems with it but I’m willing to take the leap. But what I want to do is do a clean install. I haven’t done that in a long time. The reason is because I feel like my computer has some odd behavior and I’d rather start from scratch since I’m upgrading anyway.

Now, maybe if I just upgrade to Monterey, things will get fixed. And after I typed this whole thing out, maybe I just do the upgrade, see how things go and if need be, do a clean install after a month of using it.

Maybe my search skills stink but when I searched here for tips, I came up a bit dry. This was one post that did come up:

Wondering if anyone can point me to a really good resource/checklist of things I should do and take note of and warnings as I go through the process.

Can I create an exact clone if things go horribly wrong?

I know there was a site that listed out compatible software with OSs but the name escapes me.

A few key items about my setup.

  • I have a 2019 MacBook Pro 16" (Intel)
  • I’m using Catalina right now
  • I do have an iPad and iPhone attached to my iCloud account. Much data is synced there.
  • I do have files on Dropbox.
  • I have a sub to MS 365.
  • I use 1pw Family plan.
  • I use Setapp
  • I do a SuperDuper backup to an external hard drive
  • I do an Arq backup to Onedrive
  • I do have some Mac App Store subscriptions

Thanks for the help.

Paul

2

AFAIK the issue that David mentioned about not nuking and paving the M1 Mac applies only to those machines. You shouldn’t have any problem with a Intel Mac.

I did this a few releases ago for the same reasons you mentioned and it cured some problems I was having.

1 Like
3

Did you nuke and pave or just upgrade?

5

Nuke & pave. The only time I’ve done it, owning Macs for 40 years.

2 Likes
6

Very interesting. Thanks for the details.