As always, make sure to back up any data and documents that you want to keep.

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You can fix a number of technical issues by restoring a Mac to its factory settings, and its also something you should do before selling your Mac or giving it to someone to protect your personal data and allow the new owner to personalize the device.

Keep holding them until your Mac shows either an Apple logo, a spinning globe or another startup screen.

Also listed is another drive with the word Data appended at the end.

For instance, if your startup disk is Macintosh HD, you should also see a drive labeled Macintosh HD Data.

If you dont have a Data drive, dont worry just skip ahead to Step 9.

Alternatively, with the Data drive selected, you can click the minus button in the Disk Utility toolbar.

If you have any other Data drives, delete them too, but leave the regular Macintosh HD drive alone.

Click Edit located on the menu bar followed by Erase on the drop-down menu.

Assign a name (or stick with Macintosh HD if you like) and select a format.

Disk Utility shows the recommended format by default stick with that unless you have a specific reason for another format.

When its finished, close Disk Utility to return to the MacOS Utilities window.

Side Note Install MacOS Option

Click the Reinstall MacOS option on the MacOS Utilities list and click Continue to proceed.

Side Note Password Before Moving

You may need to click through a few confirmations and enter your password before moving forward.

Instead, youll need the original MacOS installation disc that came with your computer.

Instead, hold down the Command and Q keys to close the setup assistant, then click Shut Down.

This will turn your Mac off and leave the setup assistant waiting for the new owner.

Its the lite version of a full wipe, as you dont need to erase the disk if you just want a clean, fresh install.

However, this process may leave behind data that would be relatively easy to recover meaning this method isnt a good idea if youre selling or giving away your Mac.

Install Side Note For Mac