How do I delete my data but keep my software intact?
I want to delete the data from my computer, but keep all the software intact. Can you help?
MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.4)
I want to delete the data from my computer, but keep all the software intact. Can you help?
MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.4)
Use the Accounts pane of System Preferences to create a new administrator account, log in with it, and delete the old one.
(80455)
It depends how far you want to go. There is still software that can be used to recover your data, even if deleted. If it's not likely to be exposed to anyone with that capability, then what Niel suggests is adequate.
If you want to go futher after deleting your account, log in to the newly created admin accout and use Erase Free Space. Choose Zero Out Data, which will be more than sufficient.
Thanks, Niel. So will Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc still be on the computer if I do what you suggest?
Yes. If you want to double-check, ensure that they're in the Applications folder at the top level of the drive and not in your account's home folder.
(80464)
What do you think of this? Are these the steps I need to follow?
- Back up your data. Using Time Machine, or another backup option, make sure your backup is current. Once you complete these steps, there will be no way of retrieving anything.
- Boot off of your OS X disk. To do this, insert the OS X disk that came with your machine, reboot your computer, and hold down the C key while the machine is booting up. Open Disk Utility. Once your machine has booted off of the disk, and you have selected your preferred language, go to the Utilities menu and select Disk Utility. Once Disk Utility is open, proceed to the Erase tab.
- Enter a name for the formatted drive. On the Erase tab, enter a name that will be used once the drive is erased. By default, a Macʼs hard drive is named “Macintosh HD.” Since you are preparing to sell the machine, this is a good choice.
- Select the security level. Below the name field, you will see a button that says: “Security Options.” Once selected, you will be presented with a number of different options. These include: “Do Not Erase Data,” “Zero Out Data,” “7-Pass Erase,” and “35-Pass Erase.” The first option is essentially the same as dragging a file to (and then emptying) the Trash…except that it does it for every single file on the hard drive. Ultimately, however, the data still remains. The other three options erase the data and write zeros over the entire hard drive once, 7 times, or 35 times depending on the option you choose. For most people, the single “Zero Out Data” will be more than sufficient. If your machine has particularly sensitive information on it, such as company financials, trade secrets, or the next great novel, you may want to go with the “7-Pass Erase.” This option is considered secure enough to be the standard procedure for erasing US Department of Defense computers. You can rest easy using this option, while the “35-Pass Erase” is essentially overkill for all but the most extreme cases. Once you have selected the appropriate option, click the Erase button.
- Install OS X and reboot.
That procedure will erase everything, including the Office applications.
(80484)
That's all I have to do? Create a new Admin account and delete the old one?
Yes.
(80494)
When I delete the old Admin account it gives me an option to delete the Home Folder. Is that what I want to do?
Yes.
(80509)
Many thanks!
Will zeroing the computer out delete programs like Word? I also have Windows installed on my Macbook Pro, will zeroing it out delete the Windows software?
Niel,
I saw this in an old post and am planning to do this to my old MacBook Pro. Silly question BUT all of my data was transferred recently from the old MacBook Pro to a new MacBookAir I bought at the Apple Store.
So I have two duplicate computers. Soooooo......I guess I don't want to delete my Admin account at all. Correct? Just don't want to do something totally stupid. Incuding maybe this question? Lol.
I'm trying to get data off the old Mac, but leave the software, etc. so I can give it to my daughter. Any help is most appreciated!!!!
K
Set up a new admin account for your daughter and then you can delete your old one.
And it won't be the same Admin account that's on my new computer-- I don't want to inadvertently delete my Admin and all data from the new MacBook Air -- all that data that was transferred from the old computer. Are they "linked" in together? Just checking.
How do I delete my data but keep my software intact?