Clean Install vs Erase

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Level 1

4 points

Clean Install vs Erase

Hello Everyone,

Recently updated to Ventura through the usual steps.

I've been trying to do a Clean install of Ventura as I have a lot of old settings and program variables, paths and coding tools that I wanted to get rid of and start fresh. I have backed up everything so all I want is to do a fresh installation.

So my question is simple: Is the "Erase Content & Settings" function similar to a Clean installation of MacOS? If not, in what way is it different?

Regards,

Roach

P.S. After spending hours online trying to figure out how to clean install, I came across the Bootable USB option which is creating a lot of drama for me. (I'm from PC, clean installing windows can be done with my eyes closed... this on the other hand... OMG!).

MacBook Air

Posted on Oct 28, 2022 9:26 PM

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Answer 1

Tesserax

Level 10

158,286 points

Oct 28, 2022 9:53 PM in response to RoachMartel

Let's start with ... which exact model is your MacBook Air? Is it an Intel or Mx-based model? What is your desired goal? If I understood your post correctly, you want to completely start with a "like new" factory default configuration. Is that correct?

The basic steps to perform a "clean" install of macOS, would be the following steps:

Boot up the Mac in Recovery Mode.
Use Disk Utility to erase the system drive. Ref: Use Disk Utility to erase an Intel-based Mac - Apple Support OR Use Disk Utility to erase a Mac with Apple silicon - Apple Support
For Intel-based Macs, use the "Reinstall macOS <macOS version name>" option to reinstall macOS. Ref: How to reinstall macOS - Apple Support
For Silicon-based Macs:

- Turn on the Mac and continue to hold down the power button until you see the startup options window.
- Select Options, and then select Continue.
- From the utilities window, select Reinstall macOS <macOS version name>

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Answer 2

Owl-53

Level 10

103,189 points

Oct 30, 2022 7:26 AM in response to RoachMartel

Although the article is talking about Downgrade - a similar adapted process might work for a Clean Installation of Ventura on a M-Class Apple Computer.

https://osxdaily.com/2022/03/21/how-to-downgrade-macos-monterey-to-macos-big-sur/

It would involve making a Bootable Installer of Ventura

To perform this action will require booting from a Bootable Installer.

Apple Computer. About Startup Security Utility and Must Enable from Recovery Mode the ability to boot from External Drive Before Attempting

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Answer 3

RoachMartel Author

Level 1

4 points

Oct 30, 2022 6:14 AM in response to Tesserax

I decided to bite the bullet and go with reinstall. However, after formatting the drive using the Disk utility, my Reinstallation macOS version had turned to OS 12, even though I had done the upgrade to Ventura. Had to redownload and redo the update again.

Thanks for the response.

Apologies for not mentioning the Chipset. Mine is an M1 MBA.

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Clean Install vs Erase

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