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Question

Yosemite folder/trackpad options - backing up

Jul 3, 2015 9:31AM PDT

Hi all,

I’ve just got a new rMBP and have some issues with figuring out how Yosemite works.

1) Is there a way to set folder view options for all the folders at one go? Having to change individual folder settings all the time is irritating.

2) Can I configure the trackpad so it goes back and forward between folder pages? In earlier version of Mac OS a simple swipe to the left or right would let you do this. Now clicking the back and forward buttons on Finder window seems to be the only option.

3) I see that Apple no longer provides OS installation DVD’s. I’ve heard about setting up a pen drive so it can be used to install the OS afresh. What should I do so I can install Yosemite off a pen drive in the future?

4) My Time Machine has backups from another laptop. If I take a backup of my new machine will it overwrite the older backups? Is there a way to retain both?

Thanks!

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Some answers
Jul 4, 2015 8:08AM PDT

1. Yes, open a folder and go to View > Show View Options. Set everything the way you want it and then click on the "Set as Defaults". BTW, this option has been around for many years, it did not change in Yosemite.

2. Not sure, being sans TrackPad, but System Preferences > Trackpad may offer a clue. Check these links: https://support.apple.com/kb/PH18431?locale=en_US&viewlocale=en_US and
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204895

3. http://www.macworld.com/article/2367748/how-to-make-a-bootable-os-x-10-10-yosemite-install-drive.html will sort that out for you

4. No/Yes Time Machine will sense this as a new machine, certain things will not match up, and take a full backup as soon as you fire it up.
It will keep the two backups separate. It is also possible to backup two separate machines, using the same Time Machine disk. Time Machine uses information from each machine, which is unique to that machine, to decide which one is being backed up.

That about covers it.

P

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Defaults changes effect only a folder
Jul 12, 2015 2:01AM PDT

I've done that already, but the moment you go into nested folders buried within a folder you see individual folder settings.

It's strange that Mac OS does not have a straightforward way to enable the same view options across all the folders in the drive. Windows lets you do it. So much for Macs being simple.

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Don't know what to tell you.
Jul 17, 2015 4:48AM PDT

The Default option, once set, works for me in Yosemite

P