Mac frozen after software update
If I reinstall MAC OS will it delete all my documents and files?
iMac 21.5″, macOS 10.13
If I reinstall MAC OS will it delete all my documents and files?
iMac 21.5″, macOS 10.13
Start up from macOS Recovery
To start up from macOS Recovery, turn on your Mac and immediately press and hold one of the following combinations on your keyboard. Command-R is generally recommended, especially if you never installed macOS Sierra 10.12.4 or later… How to reinstall macOS - Apple Support
Command (⌘)-R
Install the latest macOS that was installed on your Mac.
Option-⌘-R
Upgrade to the latest macOS compatible with your Mac.
Shift-Option-⌘-R
Install the macOS that came with your Mac, or the closest version still available.
2. Decide whether to erase (format) your disk
If you need to erase your disk before installing macOS, select Disk Utility from the Utilities window, then click Continue. You probably don't need to erase, unless you're selling or giving away your Mac or have an issue that requires you to erase. Learn more about when and how to erase.
3. Install macOS
After starting up from macOS Recovery, follow these steps to install macOS:
If your Mac restarts to a setup assistant, but you're selling or giving it away, press Command-Q to quit the assistant without completing setup. Then click Shut Down. When the new owner starts up the Mac, they can use their own information to complete setup.
If you never installed macOS Sierra 10.12.4
If macOS Sierra 10.12.4 or later was never installed on your Mac, macOS Recovery works differently:
How to reinstall macOS - Apple Support
Start up from macOS Recovery
To start up from macOS Recovery, turn on your Mac and immediately press and hold one of the following combinations on your keyboard. Command-R is generally recommended, especially if you never installed macOS Sierra 10.12.4 or later… How to reinstall macOS - Apple Support
Command (⌘)-R
Install the latest macOS that was installed on your Mac.
Option-⌘-R
Upgrade to the latest macOS compatible with your Mac.
Shift-Option-⌘-R
Install the macOS that came with your Mac, or the closest version still available.
2. Decide whether to erase (format) your disk
If you need to erase your disk before installing macOS, select Disk Utility from the Utilities window, then click Continue. You probably don't need to erase, unless you're selling or giving away your Mac or have an issue that requires you to erase. Learn more about when and how to erase.
3. Install macOS
After starting up from macOS Recovery, follow these steps to install macOS:
If your Mac restarts to a setup assistant, but you're selling or giving it away, press Command-Q to quit the assistant without completing setup. Then click Shut Down. When the new owner starts up the Mac, they can use their own information to complete setup.
If you never installed macOS Sierra 10.12.4
If macOS Sierra 10.12.4 or later was never installed on your Mac, macOS Recovery works differently:
How to reinstall macOS - Apple Support
The latest OS update is freezing after maybe 30 mins and says install less than 1 minute remaining. Shutting down the mac and restarting results in the same. Shutting down the mac and Command R to get the Utilities option up, running repair on the HD still results in the same.
I obviously don’t want to lose my files so would like to understand my options. thanks
reinstall, yes
downgrade, yes
upgrade, no, provided you dont delete the partition.
it might be easier to describe what's going on before you resort to installing anything.
less than 1 minute remaining took a bit over an hour on my most recent install, then 7 reboots with more time remainings,
We left it all night, did multiple reboots, did the repair, unplugged everything, nada
Will any of this make me lose all my files and documents? that is my major concern.
Erasing it sure would get rid of everything if you have no backup.
I'd get an external drive & install OS to that then boot from it & see if we can recover any of your stuff.
Mac frozen after software update