Level 2

168 points

How do I restore the 2011 MacBook Air to factory setting??

I am returning a 2011 MacBook Air running Lion and need to wipe all data and do a full-restore back to factory settings... How do I do that? I've found the Command-R-on-startup option to get to the Mac OS X Utilities screen, but here's where I am not quite sure what to do next...

Since Apple so brilliantly no longer include a USB stick with the OS for the new Air, I can't use Disk Utilities to wipe the hard drive. At least, I haven't found a way yet... Everytime I tried, I get an error message saying that there's only 1 partition and that it can't be erased.

The other option is to just reinstall the OS without first zeroing out the hard drive, which I don't want to do. Besides, if I reinstall the OS, I'd have to create another user-account and such... which isn't the same thing as just resetting it to factory settings.

So... any thoughts on how I can accomplish this task? This seems like it should just be a really simple process, but is so needlessly complicated!

Posted on Aug 17, 2011 2:23 PM

29 replies

18tracks

Level 1

11 points

Apr 16, 2012 7:42 PM in response to blue hurry

NOT that I want to do this, I have only had my MBA for 9 days!, but I am interested in knowing WHY you are all so interested in doing this? Have you ALL upgraded and want to sell Or are you having issues?

Rgds
Rod

Perth

Oct 15, 2012 2:14 PM in response to Kappy

Hi Kappy, I followed your instructions and then restarted the machine and I'm getting a white screen with a folder with a question mark on it. Any ideas where I went wrong or how to correct? Thanks for the help!

blue hurry Author

Level 2

168 points

Aug 17, 2011 2:47 PM in response to Kappy

In step 5, the "Options" button is disabled for me, so I can't even choose how I want to erase... Thoughts?

Kappy

Level 10

362,007 points

Aug 17, 2011 2:50 PM in response to blue hurry

Sorry, it should read Security button.

Jacku

Level 1

4 points

Sep 20, 2011 3:48 PM in response to blue hurry

This is indeed VERY frustrating... We need the USB key!

emily92

Level 1

0 points

Oct 23, 2011 11:44 AM in response to Kappy

Mine has the security options button greyed out too, and I really need to do the zero data erase because I just sold it. How can I do that with the option button not showing up?

lbcben

Level 1

0 points

Oct 27, 2011 8:38 PM in response to darrenjfox

Hi,

Just a simple question

rm -R /Users/yourAccountNameHere

How to find out my account name from Macbook air?

Thanks

Damonius

Level 1

0 points

Nov 30, 2011 11:33 AM in response to crimsondr

I was using a USB key that I made myself, and it's still greyed out for no apparent reason.

Mar 27, 2012 2:12 AM in response to darrenjfox

The post by darrenjfox worked like a champ!!!! Awesome. Thank you

Apr 2, 2012 1:21 PM in response to darrenjfox

darrenjfox you are an absolute champ. Worked a treat. Thanks!

tigerber

Level 1

0 points

Apr 27, 2012 12:40 PM in response to albalboy

Hi albalboy,

FYI, it IS taking your password, it's just not SHOWING it.

Jun 20, 2012 7:19 AM in response to darrenjfox

DarrenjFox - Thank you for this solution. Worked a treat.

Feb 8, 2013 6:42 PM in response to darrenjfox

Thanks so much, darrenjfox! I fixed a friend's MacBook Air that they 1) Tried but failed to install Windows 7 to, and 2) Forgot their MacOS password.

teamaria

Level 1

0 points

Feb 18, 2016 7:25 PM in response to darrenjfox

Thank you!! This really helped me 🙂

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

How do I restore the 2011 MacBook Air to factory setting??