Will reinstalling Mac OS wipe your computer?

Should your question refer to this article in upper left side of page of your inquiry..

.There are several instances where it can be used to erase or change content.

Backup user created content, to external USB (separate drive) is well advised.

The 'Time Machine' utility, part of macOS, is good for incremental backups.

• How to reinstall macOS - Apple Support

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204904

Other more definitive instructions for certain aspects of using Disk Utility to

repair or restore a macOS may be found elsewhere in Apple support section.

Sometimes a user may need to fully erase the hard drive and start anew.

Or perhaps when a point in time of reselling or giving away the Mac.

You may install a new non-personalized system, then Quit the Installer.

{That leaves new system without an owner, unlocked; for new-user setup.}

Good luck & happy computing!

🌞🌿⛵️🌤🎣🏕⛄️🍀🙃🌻

If you are running Big Sur and you do NOT erase the drive first, it will create a second data(user) volume which you will then need to remove. If you erase the drive and then reinstall, your data will be gone/deleted - but that is what you have a backup for. You simply use that to transfer all your files back.

Hi phlemma,

If you're reinstalling the version of macOS currently installed on your Mac, or upgrading to a newer version of macOS, you don't have to erase your Mac. Your files, settings, and other data will be preserved.

If you're attempting to downgrade macOS, you must erase your Mac.

phlemma Said:

"I don't see anything in the upper left"

I see this article:

Screenshot:

phlemma Said:

"Question: will this process wipe your computer, or will you be able to log in as usual with all of your stuff still there??"

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Please verify:

What process are you referring to?