Any tips to reinstall macOS and somehow remember most settings without Time Machine?

[AirpodsNow]

There is this weird app or script that keeps starting. I have tried to ask for help but to no avail, it’s compicated. Never mind, I thought to start clean. i have tried with Time Machine restore but the issue persisted.

Do people have some advice or a handy list of things i Need to dot down or copy before? For instance I plan to copy my 3rd party app from application folder. I have of course all my logins.

Just wondered if there is already a guide I can use to make sure “all” of the things can moved over what Time Machine normally does.

 

[Fishrrman]

Why don't you tell us more about the "weird app or script that keeps starting" ...?
Can you take a screenshot, or post a short video of what's happening?

If you want to start completely clean WITHOUT resorting to a backup, well, go ahead.
Yes, you'll need a pencil and paper and need to write down a lot of stuff first.

Alternate suggestion:
Use either CarbonCopyCloner or SuperDuper to create a CLONED backup of your current drive.
After the clean install, you can mount the cloned backup "right in the finder" and copy things over one-at-a-time...

 

[AirpodsNow]

Why don't you tell us more about the "weird app or script that keeps starting" ...?
Can you take a screenshot, or post a short video of what's happening?

Quick Look Simulator on startup - how to remove?

All the plist in these 3 directories were disabled. Also, my question about /dev/null I dont know, just a question, I am not a developer, so if there is nothing wrong fair. It seems not to be found in the 'usual' startup script places, so I wish to figure out another way to know what starts...

forums.macrumors.com

 

[AirpodsNow]

If you want to start completely clean WITHOUT resorting to a backup, well, go ahead.
Yes, you'll need a pencil and paper and need to write down a lot of stuff first.

Alternate suggestion:
Use either CarbonCopyCloner or SuperDuper to create a CLONED backup of your current drive.
After the clean install, you can mount the cloned backup "right in the finder" and copy things over one-at-a-time...

I was afraid there wasn't any clever way then go back to the paper method. having a super duper copy seems like a clever way of 'backing' it up.

 

[gilby101]

Do people have some advice or a handy list of things i Need to dot down or copy before? For instance I plan to copy my 3rd party app from application folder. I have of course all my logins.

As a start:
List of apps. You should reinstall from distribution - just copying the .app is not sufficient for some apps.
License keys. I keep mine in 1Password along with all my passwords (and I know how to get access after recovery).
Non-standard system and app preferences - you are going to need to recreate them.
Some apps will have data in ~/Library that you will need to recover.
Understand your use of cloud synchronisation products and what needs to be done.
Keep your backup carefully.

 

[AirpodsNow]

As a start:
List of apps. You should reinstall from distribution - just copying the .app is not sufficient for some apps.
License keys. I keep mine in 1Password along with all my passwords (and I know how to get access after recovery).
Non-standard system and app preferences - you are going to need to recreate them.
Some apps will have data in ~/Library that you will need to recover.
Understand your use of cloud synchronisation products and what needs to be done.
Keep your backup carefully.

thanks. Yes I got the 1password as well and all my data are on iCloud-cloud and others as well. It's just my question around the macOS state, I just wondered if there was something people would say, please save this otherwise you will loose it.

One of the things are the apps and their licensing. I still got an 'old' Microsoft Office etc. I will look at the library folder, there are a lot of folders there, don't think I get what to take for it.