gmathornsberry1

Q: how can i factory reset my mac computer

How do I factory reset my mac desktop computer? 

Mac Pro, iOS 10

Posted on Sep 19, 2016 1:44 PM

Close

Q: how can i factory reset my mac computer

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by Carolyn Samit,Helpful

    Carolyn Samit Carolyn Samit Sep 19, 2016 1:58 PM in response to gmathornsberry1
    Level 10 (122,412 points)
    Apple Music
    Sep 19, 2016 1:58 PM in response to gmathornsberry1

    If your Mac is running v10.7 or later, you can use OS X Recovery restore to factory settings.

     

    If your Mac is running an OS X prior to v10.7 turn off your Mac then startup while inserting the install disc while holding down the C key.

  • by gmathornsberry1,

    gmathornsberry1 gmathornsberry1 Sep 19, 2016 2:00 PM in response to gmathornsberry1
    Level 1 (9 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 19, 2016 2:00 PM in response to gmathornsberry1

    Thank you. Where can I find OS X Recovery? Is it in System Preferences?

  • by Niel,Helpful

    Niel Niel Sep 19, 2016 2:22 PM in response to gmathornsberry1
    Level 10 (313,241 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 19, 2016 2:22 PM in response to gmathornsberry1

    Restart with the Command and R keys held down.

     

    If you’re doing this because you’re going to sell or give away the computer, consider the computer’s original OS instead of the one it’s currently running, and if applicable, use Option, Command, and R instead.

     

    If you installed Lion from one of Apple’s USB installation thumbdrives and are on that OS, there won’t be a recovery partition; in this case, you'd need to use the thumbdrive to reinstall the OS.

     

    (144747)

  • by gmathornsberry1,

    gmathornsberry1 gmathornsberry1 Sep 19, 2016 2:25 PM in response to Niel
    Level 1 (9 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 19, 2016 2:25 PM in response to Niel

    I have a 2009 big mac 20" screen and its running really slow. I dont have anything on it and want to give it to my Mother in Law to play her FB games. I'm running v 10.9.5 El Capitan. If I do a reset option 1 above will keep this version?

  • by Niel,

    Niel Niel Sep 19, 2016 2:28 PM in response to gmathornsberry1
    Level 10 (313,241 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 19, 2016 2:28 PM in response to gmathornsberry1

    Yes, but the OS is tied to your Apple ID. You need to restore it to 10.6.8 or earlier(or 10.7.5 if you use a thumbdrive) before giving it to her.

     

    (144749)