Turn on your Mac, then immediately press and hold these two keys until you see an Apple logo or other image: Command (⌘) and R. You may then be asked to select a user you know the password for. Select the user, then click Next and enter their administrator password. Use Disk Utility to erase your disk. Step 5: Wipe Your Hard Drive Then proceed to highlight your computer's hard drive; select the Erase tab, make sure OS X Extended (Journaled) is selected, then hit the Erase button. What Disk Utility looks like in Lion through Yosemite.
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If you’re selling your computer or trading it in for something newer, you’ll probably want to wipe your hard drive.
After all, you don’t want to give it to its new owner with all your pictures and documents on it — or lose those things!
But how do you wipe it? How do you erase everything on your Mac and restore it to factory settings, so the next person gets a clean computer with none of your documents?
We’ve got all the answers right here!
Read on to find out how.
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Backup Your Computer Using Time Machine
Before you even think about wiping your hard drive, make sure that you have everything backed up.
After all, even if you don’t want the computer anymore, you probably want all of the stuff on it.
And once you restore your computer to factory settings, all your photos, videos, documents, and downloads are going to be gone.
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.
Essentially, this is a tool that Apple created to help people create a “copy” of their computer that could be accessed at a later date.
Read Related Article: Hard Disk Drive vs. Solid-State Drive (SSD)
Here’s how you use it to back up your computer:
- Open System Preferences, located on the Apple Menu bar.
- Select the Time Machine icon in the System Preferences folder.
- Click Select Backup Disk, located in the top-middle of the window.
- Choose the disk you’d like to use to back up your computer. Typically, you’ll want to plug in an external hard drive and select that. This will create a copy of your internal hard drive and write it onto the external one.
- It’s a good idea to do this regularly even if you don’t plan on wiping your hard drive. 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).
- If you’d prefer not to use Time Machine for any reason, you can use alternative methods. For example, you can use iCloud or another cloud storage solution to store all of your files online.
Click here to learn how to back up your computer to iCloud.
Deauthorize Your iTunes Account
If your iTunes account is connected to your computer, then the next owner will be able to access it.
So, you need to deauthorize the account. That way, your account will no longer be linked to the machine.
Here’s how you do it:
- Open iTunes on your computer
- Select Account from the options on the Menu bar.
- Scroll down to Authorizations and select Deauthorize This Computer.
- iTunes will ask you for your Apple ID and your password. Once you enter that, it will give you the option to Deauthorize your account. Click that, and you’re all set.
Log Out of iCloud and iMessage
Similar to iTunes, you have to sign out of your iCloud account, too. Otherwise, the next owner may be able to access it.
Luckily, it’s pretty simple.
Here’s what you do:
- Select System Preferences from the Menu bar.
- Click on the iCloud icon.
- Click the Sign Out option on the bottom-left side of the window.
Once you do that, you’ll be signed out!
Reformat Your Hard Drive Disk (HDD)
“Reformatting” is a fancy tech word for wiping the hard drive clean and reinstalling the operating system. Once you reformat it, everything will be gone, and the computer will be restored to factory settings.
The first step in the reformatting process is erasing the drive.
You can erase your computer by using the Disk Utility feature in any version of Mac OS.
Here’s how you do it.
- Turn your computer off entirely.
- Boot it up again by pressing and holding the power button, just like you would if you were starting it up for normal use.
- This time, however, you want to hold the command and R keys down simultaneously. Press and hold them as soon as you hit the power button.
- An Apple logo should appear on your screen. Once that appears, you can let go of the buttons.
- The Apple logo should be followed by a Mac OS X Utilities Menu with several different options. Select Disk Utility (it’s a little hard drive with a stethoscope) from the Menu and click Continue.
Screenshot via Macworl
- Once you enter the Disk Utility, you’ll have to select the drive you want to erase.
In this case, you’ll want to choose Macintosh HD to wipe the entire drive.
- Then, click the Erase button at the bottom of the window.
Note: The Erase option will only appear as a clickable button when the computer is booted up using the command + R keys. If you attempt to reformat your hard drive after starting your computer as you normally would, this option won’t be clickable.
- Once you click the Erase button, you’ll have the opportunity to choose from a range of different security options. The security options window contains a sliding bar that allows you to select the comprehensiveness of the erasure.
There are four different levels you can choose from, ranging from fastest to slowest. If you select the slowest option, you’ll erase the maximal amount of data. But, the process takes a little longer.
If you choose the fastest option, however, the process goes quite quickly. But, the data is not removed as thoroughly (and could be restored through a file recovery application).
- After you’ve determined the level at which you want to erase your computer, click Erase. The operating system will proceed with the erasing process.
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How to Secure Erase a Mac SSD
Newer MacBooks don’t have a traditional hard disk drive. Instead, they have a solid state drive or SSD.
Now, the process for wiping your solid state drive is the same as erasing a hard drive.
So, if you want to clean it, go ahead and follow the steps outlined in the section above.
It’s important to note, however, that erasing an SSD completely is not recommended.
Here’s why:
Solid state drives can only be rewritten a certain number of times. In other words, the more times you rewrite your drive, the worse it’s going to function.
So, even if you reformat your drive just once, you may notice that it functions slightly worse afterward.
Of course, there may be cases in which you have no choice but to erase your drive. If you’re getting rid of your Mac, for example, and you want to be sure that every tiny bit of data is wiped clean from it, then you’ll probably want to erase it.
But, if you’re erasing the entire thing with the intention of restoring it afterwards — don’t.
It’s going to do more harm than good. You can either erase as many files as possible on your own or take it to the Apple store directly (provided that it’s still under warranty) and ask them to help you with whatever problem you’re experiencing.
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Don’t know if your computer has a solid state drive or not?
Here’s how to figure it out:
- Press the F4 key on your keyboard (the one with the six little squares on it).
- Select the Other icon.
- Click the System Information icon.
- Select the ATA option from the Hardware drop-down menu on the left side of the window.
- A profile of your device should appear on the right-hand side of the window.
- Look for the row that reads “Model.” The corresponding product number should have either an HDD or an SSD in it.
These letters will let you know whether your device is equipped with a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD).
You should approach the erasure process accordingly.
Reinstall the Mac OS
The second half of the reformatting process is the reinstallation of the operating system.
When you erase your data, you also delete the OS that allows you to use the computer.
So, you’ve got to install it again if you want the computer to work.
How To Wipe A Macbook Pro
Even if you’re selling the computer to someone else, it’s a nice courtesy to reinstall it beforehand so that they don’t have to do it themselves. After all, not everyone will be able to figure out how.
Here’s what you do:
- You’ll need internet access to do this. It’s going to be impossible otherwise, so make sure that the wifi connection is turned on.
- Boot the computer up by pressing the power button.
- Hold command + R, the same way you did when you erased your drive.
- Let go once the Apple logo appears.
- In the Mac OS Utilities Menu, select Reinstall MacOS.
- Click Continue.
- You may need to enter your Apple ID upon installation. Only do this if you intend to use the computer yourself. If you plan on selling it or handing it off to another person, you can end the process here.
- Once the installation is done, you’ll be free to start using your freshly-cleaned Mac.
FAQS
Can you reset a MacBook without losing data?
The only way to reset your computer without losing data is to back it up first. Once you’ve erased your hard drive, that data is gone.
You might be able to use a recovery app to restore your files if you ran a fast, low-level erasure. But most of the time, the data is completely cleared from the device.
Do you have to wipe a Mac’s hard drive before you sell it?
No law says you have to. But it’s smart. Unless you erase it (and erase it thoroughly), the next owner could get access to your files.
Can you erase your hard drive and keep the same programs?
Once you reinstall the OS, your computer will be loaded with all of the programs that come with that software. Any programs you installed on your own before erasing the drive will be gone.
Of course, if you’ve backed up your drive, you can reinstall them using Time Machine.
Can you wipe a Mac without the password?
No. To erase the hard drive, you’ll have to enter the owner’s Apple ID and password. Otherwise, you will not have the option to wipe the drive.
How To Erase Mac Hard Drive Completely
Can you install Windows on a Mac after you erase it?
Yes. You can use Boot Camp to install Windows on your Apple computer if you’d like to. Please note, however, that not all Apple products support Windows.
Wiping Your Hard Drive is Simple
Clearing the hard drive may seem confusing at first, especially for the average Mac user, but it’s not.
Just a few clicks and you’ll have your computer restored to factory settings in no time.
Always remember to back up your data.
Whether you’re using the computer again in the future or moving onto a new model, you’ll probably want to hold onto those files.
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Summary: In this blog post, we will bust some popular myths related to file deletion. Learn why it is important to permanently wipe the deleted files from your PC or Mac. And explore BitRaser File Eraser, a professional file erasure tool, which permanently wipes all deleted files from your PC or Mac. Click on the button below to download BitRaser File Eraser and enjoy 30 days of free trial.
We often delete files and folders from our PC and Mac’s hard drives. The most common way to do so is to use the ‘Delete’ setting/button on your PC or Mac. You select the file(s) you wish to delete and then press Delete to send it over to Recycle Bin (Windows) or Trash (Mac). Then you clear the Recycle Bin/Trash and the file vanishes making you believe that the deletion is done.
In reality, the file(s) your deleted files are still present on the system and can be recovered easily with the help of a data recovery software. In this blog post, you will look at the myths surrounding deletion of files from Windows PC and Mac and then discover how you can permanently erase these file(s) beyond any scope of recovery.
Myths about file deletion
Deleting files and folders using PC or Mac built-in settings doesn’t delete them permanently. Your operating system just erases the address of those files and allows those addresses to store new files. The old files are still there, it’s just that they are not available for immediate view.
A data recovery software (even the free ones available online) can easily recover those deleted files and render your deletion effort worthless. Only a reliable file erasure software can permanently erase these files and ensure that the deleted files cannot be recovered. Before learning more about the benefits of a file erasure software, let us first understand the importance of permanent file erasure.
Why you should permanently erase your files?
When you temporarily delete your data (using your PC or Mac’s delete settings) you expose your data for unauthorized use. Anyone who gets hold of your PC or Mac can access your personal information from the residual data on the system. The personal information can include your banking details, social media credentials, social security number, personal photos and videos, etc. Any unsolicited use of this information can cause you unnecessary emotional and financial distress. To prevent such mishaps, you should erase your files permanently and the only way to do permanent erasure is by using a file erasure software.
File Erasure software to wipe your deleted files permanently.
A file erasure software functions by overwriting on top of your data multiple times. This way, the deleted data can never be recovered and you can be assured of a permanent erasure. You should only use a trusted and reliable file erasure software to perform this operation.
One of the most efficient file erasure software is BitRaser File Eraser, which uses advanced techniques to erase files, folders, application and system traces permanently from your PC and Mac. BitRaser File Eraser is a DIY data erasure tool from Stellar, designed to overwrite empty storage space in order to permanently erase previously deleted but recoverable files.
How to use BitRaser File Eraser to wipe deleted files?
The space occupied by deleted files in your PC or Mac is marked as ‘unused’ space. In order to permanently erase the deleted files, you need to permanently erase the unused space using BitRaser File Eraser.
Follow the steps shared below to wipe unused space on both Mac and Windows.
Using BitRaser File Eraser to wipe unused space in Mac
- Download and install BitRaser File Eraser on your mac.
- Now run the application.
- Select ‘Unused Space’ option from the Main Interface window. Click Next.
- A window with list of volumes on the computer is displayed.
5. Select the volume from which unused space needs to be erased.
Click Erase.
6. From the Preferences button , select the desired Erasure algorithm
for secure deletion. Click OK.
7. A Confirm Erasure dialog is displayed to confirm the erasure.
Click Confirm Erase to start the erasure process.
- You can stop or abort the process anytime by clicking the Stop button.
A message will display after the successful completion of erasure process. Restart your system to finish the process.
Using BitRaser File Eraser to wipe unused space in Windows
- Download and install BitRaser File Eraser on your PC.
- Click the Free Space button on the left pane [See Image 3].
- On the next screen, you will see the details of your drive in your PC where the unused space will also be defined. Please select the drive and click on “Erase Now” [See Image 4]
4. A dialog box will appear to confirm the erasure action. Once you confirm, the disk will be permanently erased (including the unused space) and no one would be able to retrieve any data from it.
Conclusion
The primary reason we delete files is that we don’t want them to be erased forever. Your Mac or Windows ‘delete’ settings cannot accomplish that. Only a File Erasure tool like BitRaser File Eraser can erase those deleted files permanently and give you complete peace of mind against any unwanted use of your data. BitRaser File Eraser is a professional file erasure software, purpose-built to protect your privacy by securely and permanently erasing previously deleted data from your Windows PC or Mac. Download the software now and enjoy 30 days of free trial.