04-09-2011, 08:14 PM

I bought an app from the app store, and I want to save the install files in a safe place. Only thing is, I do not know where the app store put the install files for the app. Simple thing - how to find App Store downloaded files?

Thanks!

04-09-2011, 08:16 PM

I believe the App Store simply installs the application for you into the Applications folder.

04-09-2011, 08:48 PM

That's correct. Every app I've purchased thus far has been installed directly to my Applications folder.

04-09-2011, 09:53 PM

Sorry, I should have been more clear. When I change my hard drive, I would like to be able to re-install my App Store application without having to pay for the App Store to install it for me.

Can I do this simply by copying the install folder to a safe place, then copy it back to my new hard drive? Time machine, and other backup solutions, are no match for being able to recover things manually.

04-09-2011, 11:09 PM

Why not use cloning software instead? SuperDuper or Carbon Copy Cloner can make a perfect cloned image of your hard drive on to the new drive. Just swap them. Or, Time Machine is likewise a good method.

Anything is better than doing it manually.....

04-10-2011, 04:48 AM

1. When migrating your data to a new hard drive or computer, Migration Assistant will move any App Store purchases.

2. If for some reason you couldn't do it that way, Time Machine can restore the app for you because you ARE using Time Machine, RIGHT?

3. If for some reason you weren't using Time Machine, you could follow chscag's suggestion.

4. If for some reason NONE of these methods were available to you, the Mac App Store has a "purchases" record right on the top bar of the app that would let you re-download your purchases free of charge.

In short, this whole thing is a huge non-issue. Welcome to Macintosh.

04-10-2011, 06:20 AM

Chas's #4 worked for me when I changed to another system. Just opened App Store and went to my purchases and it let me download/install them.

04-10-2011, 10:24 AM

Chas - that #4 sounds close to what I am looking for. Not as good as actually having the installable files in my hands, but it'll do.

Just so I understand how #4 works - say I drop my MBP in the lake and I replace it with a MBA. I just log into the App Store again with the user name I created, and it is reinstalled for me just like it was the first time?

On another note, I'm loving the MBP - definitely nicer than the PC experience. Lots of new things to learn, but I'm eager to learn this new way of doing things as opposed to clinging to the PC way.