How to erase all content when it isn't showing up on system preferences?
MacBook Air, macOS 12.5
Make sure there is no application running on the desktop:
The menu bar should look like this:
Click on Apple logo and the menu bar should show system preferences:
Click on System Preferences and the option to erase should appear:
Are you trying to erase the hard drive?
Do a backup, preferable 2 separate ones on 2 drives. Boot to the Recovery Volume (command - R on a restart). Run Disk Utility/First Aid. Reformat the drive using Disk Utility/Erase. Use Mac OS Extended (Journaled), then click the Option button, and select GUID. Quit Disk Utility, then re-install the OS.
ASC YouTube for how to reinstall macOS from macOS Recovery
When you reboot, use Setup Assistant to restore your data.
how do I erase all settings
