If you think you may still need what is on your hard drive, we advise you to first back it up through Time Machine or by syncing important files to iCloud. Here's how to erase your hard drive and reinstall the operating system on your Mac, whether it has Apple's M1 chip or features Intel components.īe aware that once your computer has been reset, you will no longer be able to recover any deleted data that was left on the drive.

And with the jump to macOS Monterey, certain computers gain a new option to erase all content and settings. The process has been the same for years on Macs with Intel processers, however, the move to Apple silicon has slightly altered the method for wiping and reinstalling the OS. A factory reset is also the best way to prepare your old computer for a new owner to make sure no leftover data falls into the wrong hands. Before you spend big on a new Mac, though, try a factory reset, which wipes your computer and reinstalls a clean version of macOS. But as with any computer, sometimes things go wrong. How to Set Up Two-Factor Authentication.How to Record the Screen on Your Windows PC or Mac.How to Convert YouTube Videos to MP3 Files.How to Save Money on Your Cell Phone Bill.

How to Free Up Space on Your iPhone or iPad.Wait for Disk Utility to erase or reformat your drive, then click Done.

Decide what to name your drive after erasing it. Choose a new name and format for your drive, then click Erase. Disk Utility presents several tools at the top of the window.

How to Block Robotexts and Spam Messages Click the Erase button at the top of the window.

How to erase imac hard drive