You cannot save most applications, especially Apple/or AppStore ones as they are now copy protected. Note: Formatting a drive will erase all data on the drive, so make sure you have what you want off it first. If it's a Windows XP machine first download the free exFAT download from Microsoft first and reboot. If your going to share this drive also with a Windows PC, then take it to the oldest Windows version and right click on the drive and format exFAT. If any of those files are over 4GB in size (like large movies/projects or audio files) then the external drive needs to be formatted in Disk Utility first using the Erase option, the default formatting is GUID and OS X Extended Journaled which will work fine only for a Mac. If a TimeMachine window request appears, deny it as it will copy the entire drive, accounts and everything which is not what you need in your case at this time. Not being able to update OS X or programs means the machine is eventually going to run insecure ones which sets the stage for another large scale botnet of compromised Mac's like what occurred with Flashback, or at the very least banking and credit card information of the secondhand user could be compromised.ġ: Copy what users files you do want to save off the machine to a regular external storage drive using drag and drop methods on your internal Home folders of Music, Pictures, Movies, Documents etc.

Some are just ignoring the requests for updates because they know to change ownership to them will require a complete erase of all the installed programs by the previous owner, which is a fact unfortunately. People are buying Mac's used where the previous owner didn't know or clear the machine properly before selling it, so what occurs is the next owner can't update OS X or programs because their AppleID doesn't match the previous owner.

Used apple macbook