I have a time machine backup from my old laptop and I'd like to restore some parts of it onto a new one. I know I could restore the whole thing, and that's not out of the question, but I'd like to avoid it if possible (mostly for the sake of trying to start w/ a clean slate and keep the new system a little more organized).
I know I can just copy the .app, but that doesn't always get everything and I'd rather not go digging through application support folders if I can avoid it.
Is there any way to just restore selected apps and their dependencies?
Best Answer
No.
"Clean slate" makes sense primarily outside you user folder: System Extensions, Drivers, Fink/Macports, UNIX Tools, Developer Tools, etc.
Therefore you can try restoring only your user folder from Time Machine backup during system installation, which restores all (or almost all) of your personal software configuration as well. If you store software in ~/Applications, you're done (except maybe iWork and other installer-installed applications); otherwise you can copy them from the backup.
If you just want a "clean" ~/Library/Application Support and ~/Library/Preferences: It is primarily a waste of your time. Delete the large, obsolete directories there and you're done.