#Reformat mac internal hard drive how to
#Reformat mac internal hard drive install

The first step in the reformatting process is erasing the drive. Once you reformat it, everything will be gone, and the computer will be restored to factory settings. вЂњReformattingвЂќ 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.

#Reformat mac internal hard drive how to

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

If youвЂ™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, youвЂ™ll create a copy of it that you can use in case you lose your data for any reason (it happens, believe us).

ItвЂ™s a good idea to do this regularly even if you donвЂ™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, youвЂ™ll want to plug in an external hard drive and select that.

Choose the disk youвЂ™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.

HereвЂ™s how you use it to back up your computer: Read Related Article: Hard Disk Drive vs. Whether youвЂ™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.Д®ssentially, this is a tool that Apple created to help people create a вЂњcopyвЂќ of their computer that could be accessed at a later date.

#Reformat mac internal hard drive install

Can you install Windows on a Mac after you erase it?Д«efore you even think about wiping your hard drive, make sure that you have everything backed up.ДЄfter all, even if you donвЂ™t want the computer anymore, you probably want all of the stuff on it.ДЄnd once you restore your computer to factory settings, all your photos, videos, documents, and downloads are going to be gone.

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Backup Your Computer Using Time Machine.