Wiping and Migrating Apps and Files

Internet/Network Recovery of El Capitan or Later on a Clean Disk

If possible backup your files before proceeding.

1. Restart the computer. Immediately after the chime hold down the (Command-Option-R) keys until a globe appears.
2. The Utility Menu will appear in from 5-20 minutes. Be patient.
3. Select Disk Utility and click on the Continue button.
4. When Disk Utility loads select the drive (usually, the out-dented entry) from the side list.
5. Click on the Erase tab in Disk Utility's main window. A panel will drop down.
6. Set the partition scheme to GUID.
7. Set the Format type to APFS (SSDs only) or Mac OS Extended (Journaled.)
8. Click on the Apply button, then click on the Done button when it activates.
9. Quit Disk Utility and return to the Utility Menu.
10. Select Reinstall OS X and click on the Continue button.

Note:

1. To install the version of OS X that was currently installed use Command-Option-R.

2. To install the original factory version when the computer was new use Command-Option-Shift-R.

To avoid restoring old problems from backups I would consider restoring your third-party software from scratch using the original distribution media. Your data can be restored from your backup.

How are your files backed up? Do you use just Time Machine or do you also have another form of backup? In either case, it's a matter of restoring from the backup just your files that normally reside in the Home folder. You can also use Migration Assistant for this but personally, I prefer using a backup from which I can simply drag and drop my files from the backup to their folders on the computer. That way I can pick and choose what I want in the event I don't want it all. I do plain file backups using Carbon Copy Cloner. I also use it for restoring backups. CCC creates a bootable backup so in the event of an internal disk failure I can boot the computer from my backup, fix the problem, then restore any needed files or the entire volume if necessary. I do not find Time Machine an optimal backup system although it is fairly easy to use. And, the user really has no excuse for not backing up.