Sometimes you just need to start over. For a MacBook,Kalakal starting over would be a factory reset. A factory reset is exactly what it sounds like: erasing everything in order to restore a MacBook to how it would have been leaving the factory.
If you need to factory reset a MacBook — perhaps you're gifting it to someone, or you are trading it in, or you're selling it — it's not very difficult at all. Just remember, if you want to keep anything, make sure to back up your computer with Time Machine.
SEE ALSO: How to stack emojis in iMessageLuckily, Apple has a page dedicated to a factory reset, also known as erasing a Mac. Apple even has a whole tool called Erase Assistant aimed at helping you carry out a factory reset.
Here are the five easy steps for a factory reset, via Apple:
Total TimeStep 1: Choose Apple menu > System Settings, then click General in the sidebar. (You may need to scroll down.)
You're navigating to the Erase Assistant that'll help you delete everything. For older OS systems, you may need to click on System Preferences instead of System Settings. Don't worry, this is all explained in the story.
Step 2: Click Transfer or Reset on the right, then click Erase All Contents and Settings.
Step 3: In Erase Assistant, enter your administrator information and click Unlock.
This will allow you to access the Erase features.
Step 4: Review items that will be removed in addition to your content and settings. If your Mac has multiple user accounts, click the arrow next to your account name to review the items.
This is the step that will ensure you actually get rid of everything during the reset.
Step 5: Click Continue, then follow the onscreen instructions.
Apple will walk you through everything you need to get rid of to do a full reset.
Now, these steps could vary depending on the software your MacBook is running. And older operating system will likely be a bit different.
Fortunately, the factory reset page on Apple's website will let you switch the instructions for different operating systems, but they are all pretty similar. For instance, if you're running Monterey 12, an older OS, you need to navigate to the menu bar, choose System Preferences, then choose Erase All Content and Settings, instead of navigating to System Settings. From there, pretty much everything is the same.
A factory reset should prove pretty simple to do but again, save anything you need because once it's gone, it is gone for good.
Topics MacBook
Twitter has all the answers for Trump's 'orb of doom' photoEllen grills Nicki Minaj on Nas dating rumors, and Nicki can't dealTrump trying to sword dance in Saudi Arabia is the most awkward thing you'll see all dayLittle boy gives rude hand gesture at Pippa Middleton's wedding, steals the showTrump trying to sword dance in Saudi Arabia is the most awkward thing you'll see all day10 old favorites to stream right now on HBO MaxFord heats police cars to 133 degrees to break down coronavirusHulu adds new group streaming option with Watch PartyChelsea Handler looks deep into an orb and sees a brighter future if Melania dumps TrumpJon Stewart's 'Irresistible' with Steve Carell skips theaters for videoYou can now add nostalgic app icons to your iPhoneLost bunny reunited with its owner thanks to the help of TwitterSamsung Money debit card to launch this summerTrump trying to sword dance in Saudi Arabia is the most awkward thing you'll see all dayCarl Weathers is the MVP of 'Disney Gallery: The Mandalorian'Canceled Netflix series 'Tuca & Bertie' lands Season 2 at Adult SwimCelebrate 40 years of 'The Shining' with the horrors of isolationGrandma ordered to delete Facebook photos of grandkids or face fine10 years of 'LOST,' and 10 years without itRealme Watch looks like Apple Watch, costs $50 Researchers discover AirDrop is leaking part of your phone number What Intel's 10th What bartenders think about the 'A.I. Bar' Bella Hadid unfollows Selena Gomez on Instagram amid The Weeknd dating rumors Tesla's 'dog mode' has a pretty bad bug, but Elon Musk is on it Alexa users can now tell Amazon to stop listening to their recordings Amazon promises to create 100,000 jobs, and Trump team quickly takes credit 'Wolfenstein Youngblood' Review: A failed lady power fantasy Finally, we get the Trump T Stassi from 'Vanderpump Rules' got engaged and we care about it more than we should 'Dear White People' Season 3 tests your loyalty: Netflix Review 'Jane the Virgin' forsakes an epic, dramatic finale – and that's just fine Watch animals at the Oregon Zoo frolic through their snow day India threatens to expel Amazon employees for selling Indian flag doormats Violence in video games? Hasan Minhaj spotlights the real issues Facebook removed hundreds of fake accounts tied to Saudi government Michelle Obama gets emotional saying goodbye to the White House #MeToo survivors seeking mental health help find it's hard to access French inventor flies across English Channel on jet 'Otherhood' director on the power of 'extraordinary, ordinary stories'