If you are unsure as to whether or not you are running the latest OS as of this publication, which is Monterey as of October 2021, at the top right.Īfter FileVault is turned off, your files will no longer be encrypted. You will need to enter the password of the administrator account (you'll need this for erasing your files, so have it with you) to unlock the FileVault settings.Click on that and then click the Lock button at the bottom left of the screen. Once in Security and Privacy, you'll see the second tab, FileVault.

Open System Preferences > Security & Privacy.Click on your Apple at the top left of your screen.If you disable the encryption prior to deleting all of your files, the process should go a lot faster (as with anything in computing, there are no absolutes but 1's and 0's). Step 3, Turn Off FileVaultįileVault is Apple software to encrypt your files and keep them safer. It’s best to sign out of these programs on an old device so there is no confusion when you try and activate the new one. Some programs like Microsoft Office or Adobe Creative Suite are licensed to a specific computer. Since you’ll be reformatting your hard drive in the next few steps, click Keep a Copy. Note: A dialog will ask if you want to keep a copy of your iCloud data on the Mac. Find iCloud in the side panel and click Turn off Find My Mac.

Choose Apple Menu > System Preferences > Apple ID.

Step 2, Sign out of All Accounts Sign out of iTunes Account To learn how to backup your data in macOS in iCloud or Time Machine, click here. It is important to make sure you have the most up-to-date backup of your important files and data.

Here's how to delete everything in your MacBook: Step 1, Backup, Backup, Backup!īefore anything, use iCloud or an external hard drive to store any files you want to keep from your computer’s hard drive. Should leave this task to a professional service School administration, those with MacBooks, IT professionals Legacy: potential for 8-15 hours (highly dependent on the number of files and age of your MacBook) Monterey and newer OS: averages 1-5 hours Easy, requires clicking on prompts, some button presses (with macOS Monterey, it's a four clicks total process)

Wiping macbook air clean