In this digital age, we all are pretty much acquainted with the storage media forms. From online/cloud storage to portable devices, we depend on all. However there are many reasons why you would want to erase the hard disk drive on MacBook Pro. If you don't properly delete the data, that data can be stolen. Once the data gets stolen you will regret it. The stolen data can be your personal pictures, videos, bank details etc. Sensitive data can be used for personal benefits. You would not even dare to imagine these things happening to you, so it's better not to take risk like this. Regardless of your reasons, make sure that you backup the data before wiping the drive clean.
Dusting off and powering up an old MacBook only to realize you can't remember the password is a frustrating experience. Each failed login attempt can cause confusion and even panic. El Capitan arrived in September 2015 and supported the following Macs: MacBook (Early 2015) MacBook (Late 2008 Aluminium, or Early 2009 or newer) MacBook Pro (Mid/Late 2007 or newer) MacBook Air.
Here are some of the ways to erase everything on MacBook pro hard drive.
Method 1: Format Your Hard Drive on MacBook Pro
Let's say you wish to erase only a particular partition volume instead of the entire hard disk. This is the simplest way to erase the hard disk on your MacBook Pro. Here is how you can do that.
1) Access Finder menu by clicking on the Dock icon. You can also access it through Spotlight.
2) On the left click Applications, scroll down a bit to the Utilities. You will need to double click on it.
3) Once the folder opens you will the Disk Utility application. Again, you will need to double click it to launch it.
4) Choose the hard disk drive you wish to erase. The drive names will appear in the left sidebar.
5) Click the Erase tab as shown in the image above.
6) In the erase tab you will see the Format section. Next to this option is the dropdown from where you can choose how you wish to format the drive. For instance, if you wish to use the drive only for one of the Mac OS versions, select Mac OS Extended. If you wish to install the Windows OS on the hard drive, then choose MS-DOS (FAT).
7) You can also give the name to the partition in the Name text box (under Format option).
8) Once you have chosen the Format type and given the name to the partition, click on 'Erase...' button.
NOTE: Remember that this method can only be used to erase the hard disk drive which does not have the Mac OS installed on it. This method uses the utilities which can be run only on the Mac OS. If you need to remove the hard drive with OS files, you can use Method 2.
Method 2: Erase Everything on MacBook Pro with Data Wiper (Recommend)
The problem with the Method 1 we discussed above is that once the data has been erased it can still be recovered. The next owner can use some free or professional data recovery software to retrieve your already deleted or formatted data that may still be on your hard drive somewhere. We need to protect our data and personal information. Especially if you are giving the MacBook Pro to someone else, you will need to make sure that your information remains safe.
This is where Safewiepr Eraser for Mac comes into picture. This application not only erases the hard drive but also makes sure that it becomes unrecoverable.
Safewiper Data Wiper for Mac
- The program includes powerful as well as fast wiping algorithms that can permanently erase everything from hard drive . Completely destroy and erase all existing data, deleted/lost data and traces on MacBook Pro
- Wipe your MacBook hard drive and files/folder data with advanced algorithm which overwrites data with 7 times.
- Wipe exactly what you need - hard disks, separate partitions or free space
- Compatible with macOS Sierra and OS X 10.11 El Capitan, 10.10, 10.9, 10.8, 10.7, 10.6
Step 1 Download and Install The Safewiper Wipe Mac Application, Run It.
First of all, you need to download and install the program on your MacBook Pro, then launch the program. The while installation process is very easy.
Step 2 Select the File Type You Need to Wipe
In the last update, you may have noticed that the program provides three wiping options, 'Erase File/Fodlers' and ' Wipe Drive' and 'Wipe Unused Space' . Here, to completely destroying your all data on MacBook hard drive, just select the second wiping option.and click on 'Next' option.
Before starting to wipe your MacBook pro, a window pops up asking you to choose a 'wiping method', it offers 4 wiping algorithm. 7 wipe and 35 wipe will take much time to erase your MacBook Pro. So, we recommend you select 3 wipe.
Step 3 Start to Wipe Your MacBook Pro Hard Drive Data
Upon confirming your Wiping Mode, click the Start wiping button to being wiping your MacBook Pro. After the wiping process is complete, an intimating message will be displayed.
If you need to erase everything on MacBook Pro, only formatting the hard drives separately is not a good choice. It is best to use the Data Wiper to wipe clean everything. This way the data will be rendered unrecoverable and your personal information will remain safe. You can reinstall the OS afterwards.
After wiping your MacBook Pro hard drive, you will get a totally new MacBook without any personal information in it. The software will destroy, shred your data and overwrite the disk space of the data for many times. After the process finished, the data in your hard drive will be lost permanently without recovery, you will get a totally new MacBook without any personal information in it.
Oct 16, 2020 • Filed to: Solve Mac Problems • Proven solutions
There are numerous reasons for users to want to reset their MacBook Pros to their factory settings. It might be because you are experiencing major problems with its performance, virus attacks, and system errors. You can also perform this process when you need to flush out data from your machine if you need to sell it off or give it to someone else.
Part 1: How to Restore MacBook Pro
Reset MacBook Pro to square one by following these procedures:
- Before you restore MacBook Pro to its factory settings, make sure you have your files backed up in a different location. This is because once you initiate the procedure, you will be wiping out all available data stored on your MacBook Pro locally. One of the ways to do so is by utilizing the Time Machine feature provided by Apple. Take your time with this so that you can be sure that you can still access important data.
- Once your data is backed up, connect your machine to the power adapter and restart it. Hold down the 'Command' and 'R' buttons simultaneously to start the restoration process until you see the Apple logo on the screen. Release the buttons immediately.
- The 'OS X Utilities' window will appear and click 'Disk Utility'.
- Open the 'Erase' tab and select your MacBook's primary drive to reset MacBook Pro.
- Select 'Mac OS Extended (Journaled)' from the 'Format' drop-down menu.
- Click the 'Erase' button.
- Once the erasing action is complete, close the 'Disk Utility' window.
- To complete the restoration process, connect your computer to the Internet. Establish a WiFi connection with a secure network.
- From the 'OS X Utilities' menu, look for either 'Internet Recovery', 'OS X Recovery' or 'Reinstall OS X'. Follow the wizard and complete the installation of the operating system. Restart your MacBook once the installation is complete.
Video Guide on How to Factory Reset Your MacBook
Part 2: How to Restore Data from Macbook Pro
The quickest and easiest way to make sure data on your MacBook Pro is not entirely lost is by the built-in Time Machine feature on your machine. However, this method may not be 100% effective and you may need the assistance of a third-party data recovery tool to restore data from MacBook Pro.
Recoverit for Macis a great option to aid you in the restoration of data into a MacBook Pro that has been restored to its factory settings. You may also find this software useful when precious data is lost due to a corrupted hard drive, virus attacks, system errors, formatting, etc.
We have outlined the steps needed to restore data from MacBook Pro using Recoverit for Mac - just remember to install the software in a partition that is different from the one where the data was lost:
- Select a drive
To recover deleted or lost data on Mac, you can choose the partition that has been restored to factory settings. Then click on 'Start' to have a scan on it.
- Scan the partition
Recoverit will start scanning the selected Mac partition, thorough and quick. It will only read your data to perform the recovery process.
- Recover lost files
A list of files will be built up. Highlight the file name to preview its content, select the wanted files, and click 'Recover' to get them back.
As we have outlined above, resetting MacBook Pro to factory settings should not intimidate you from not doing it yourself. You do not need to worry about losing your data because it is really easy torestore MacBook Pro- as easy as 1, 2, 3. Good luck with your efforts!
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