computer in os x utilities after wipe no drive

#Computer in os x utilities after wipe no drive how to#
#Computer in os x utilities after wipe no drive install#
#Computer in os x utilities after wipe no drive password#
#Computer in os x utilities after wipe no drive mac#

Once you reformat it, everything will be gone, and the computer will be restored to factory settings. “Reformatting” is a fancy tech word for wiping the hard drive clean and reinstalling the operating system.

Click the Sign Out option on the bottom-left side of the window.

Select System Preferences from the Menu bar.

Otherwise, the next owner may be able to access it. Similar to iTunes, you have to sign out of your iCloud account, too. Once you enter that, it will give you the option to Deauthorize your account.

iTunes will ask you for your Apple ID and your password.

Scroll down to Authorizations and select Deauthorize This Computer.

Select Account from the options on the Menu bar.

That way, your account will no longer be linked to the machine. If your iTunes account is connected to your computer, then the next owner will be able to access it.

#Computer in os x utilities after wipe no drive how to#

For example, you can use iCloud or another cloud storage solution to store all of your files online.Ĭlick here to learn how to back up your computer to iCloud.

If you’d prefer not to use Time Machine for any reason, you can use alternative methods.

By plugging in an external HD and backing everything up to Time Machine on a regular basis, you’ll create a copy of it that you can use in case you lose your data for any reason (it happens, believe us).

It’s a good idea to do this regularly even if you don’t plan on wiping your hard drive.

This will create a copy of your internal hard drive and write it onto the external one. Typically, you’ll want to plug in an external hard drive and select that.

Choose the disk you’d like to use to back up your computer.

Click Select Backup Disk, located in the top-middle of the window.

Select the Time Machine icon in the System Preferences folder.

Open System Preferences, located on the Apple Menu bar.

Here’s how you use it to back up your computer: Read Related Article: Hard Disk Drive vs.

#Computer in os x utilities after wipe no drive mac#

Whether you’re getting rid of the computer or wiping your hard drive to fix an error, the best way to back up your Mac is to use Time Machine.Įssentially, this is a tool that Apple created to help people create a “copy” of their computer that could be accessed at a later date.

Use a USB flash drive or other secondary volume to create a bootable installer.Before you even think about wiping your hard drive, make sure that you have everything backed up.Īfter all, even if you don’t want the computer anymore, you probably want all of the stuff on it.Īnd once you restore your computer to factory settings, all your photos, videos, documents, and downloads are going to be gone.

#Computer in os x utilities after wipe no drive install#

Use the App Store to download and install the latest macOS or an earlier macOS.You can also use these methods to install macOS, if the macOS is compatible with your Mac: If you just erased your entire startup disk, you might be offered only the macOS that came with your Mac, or the closest version still available.If the Mac logic board was just replaced, you might be offered only the latest macOS that is compatible with your Mac.Or you can use Option-Command-R during startup to be offered either the latest macOS that is compatible with your Mac, or in some cases the macOS that came with your Mac or the closest version still available. On an Intel-based Mac, you can use Shift-Option-Command-R during startup to be offered the macOS that came with your Mac, or the closest version still available.When you install macOS from Recovery, you get the current version of the most recently installed macOS, with some exceptions: When the new owner starts up the Mac, they can use their own information to complete setup. If you're selling, trading in, or giving away your Mac, press Command-Q to quit the assistant without completing setup. Your Mac might restart and show a progress bar several times, and the screen might be empty for minutes at a time.Īfter installation is complete, your Mac might restart to a setup assistant. Allow installation to complete without putting your Mac to sleep or closing its lid.If the installer offers you the choice between installing on Macintosh HD or Macintosh HD - Data, choose Macintosh HD.

If the installer doesn't see your disk, or it says that it can't install on your computer or volume, you might need to erase your disk first.

#Computer in os x utilities after wipe no drive password#

If the installer asks to unlock your disk, enter the password you use to log in to your Mac.

To begin installation, select Reinstall macOS from the utilities window in macOS Recovery, then click Continue and follow the onscreen instructions.įollow these guidelines during installation: Reinstalling macOS does not remove data from your Mac.