You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Will reinstalling Mac OS wipe your computer?

will this process wipe your computer, or will you be able to log in as usual with all of your stuff still there??


[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Posted on Feb 9, 2021 8:56 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Feb 9, 2021 11:15 PM

Should your question refer to this article in upper left side of page of your inquiry..


.There are several instances where it can be used to erase or change content.

Backup user created content, to external USB (separate drive) is well advised.


The 'Time Machine' utility, part of macOS, is good for incremental backups.


• How to reinstall macOS - Apple Support

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204904


Other more definitive instructions for certain aspects of using Disk Utility to

repair or restore a macOS may be found elsewhere in Apple support section.


Sometimes a user may need to fully erase the hard drive and start anew.


Or perhaps when a point in time of reselling or giving away the Mac.

You may install a new non-personalized system, then Quit the Installer.

{That leaves new system without an owner, unlocked; for new-user setup.}


Good luck & happy computing!

🌞🌿⛵️🌤🎣🏕⛄️🍀🙃🌻

7 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Feb 9, 2021 11:15 PM in response to phlemma

Should your question refer to this article in upper left side of page of your inquiry..


.There are several instances where it can be used to erase or change content.

Backup user created content, to external USB (separate drive) is well advised.


The 'Time Machine' utility, part of macOS, is good for incremental backups.


• How to reinstall macOS - Apple Support

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204904


Other more definitive instructions for certain aspects of using Disk Utility to

repair or restore a macOS may be found elsewhere in Apple support section.


Sometimes a user may need to fully erase the hard drive and start anew.


Or perhaps when a point in time of reselling or giving away the Mac.

You may install a new non-personalized system, then Quit the Installer.

{That leaves new system without an owner, unlocked; for new-user setup.}


Good luck & happy computing!

🌞🌿⛵️🌤🎣🏕⛄️🍀🙃🌻

Feb 10, 2021 5:16 PM in response to phlemma

If you are running Big Sur and you do NOT erase the drive first, it will create a second data(user) volume which you will then need to remove. If you erase the drive and then reinstall, your data will be gone/deleted - but that is what you have a backup for. You simply use that to transfer all your files back.

Will reinstalling Mac OS wipe your computer?

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.