I have an M4 Mac mini, and my goal is to run the system exclusively from the main hard drive. However, I want all my files and data stored on an external drive since I opted for the 256GB version of the Mac mini. My external drive is 4TB, but I’ve encountered a problem: it appears that everything is duplicating on the external drive as shortcuts, alongside the original files on my main drive. I’m seeing a lot of shortcut icons, which is quite confusing.
Ideally, I want all my data saved on the 4TB external drive, but I do not want to include the operating system. Is this setup achievable? The dilemma seems to stem from how the system is currently configured. The shortcuts are likely linking back to the files on the internal drive, rather than moving the actual files to the external drive.
To resolve this issue, I need to ensure that I’m transferring my files instead of just creating shortcuts. First, I should manually move my files to the external drive and verify that the shortcuts do not automatically replicate themselves. It may involve adjusting the file organization on the Mac mini to prevent redundancy. Additionally, I need to ensure that the applications and other necessary data are properly stored on the external drive, while keeping the OS on the main hard drive.
Clarifying this setup will help streamline my workflow and maximize the storage on my external drive without unnecessary duplication. If this process seems complicated, I may consider seeking assistance from a technical expert to ensure everything is configured correctly.
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