How to do a "fresh" install?

[Flyview]

I'm currently running my "new" M1 Max on Sequoia but transferred over with Time Machine from an Intel MBP with OCLP, which itself had not seen a fresh install since something like High Sierra!

I kind of want to start "fresh" to make sure there's no weird stuff left over from the past. Is it enough to "erase" the Mac from settings and then manually bring back some files from externals and Time Machine backups? Or should I make a bootable drive with the OS of my choosing, erase the disk in recovery with Disk Utility and install the OS from the bootable drive?

 

[kitKAC]

Yes, using Erase All Content and Settings is enough.

 

[GianL]

What about DFU using another Mac with same OS version? isn't this a better option?

 

[Fishrrman]

"Erase all content and settings" is what you want.

BUT...
You had better be sure that any personally-installed data or apps you want to keep are backed up BEFORE you use this option.

Because AFTER you do it, that stuff will be gone for good.
The MacBook will be back to "moment zero", just like when you took it out of the box for the first time.

 

[Flyview]

Okay I just wanted to make sure that "Erase all content and settings" is enough to bring the OS back to stock, even if I've modified it with SIP disabled for example.

 

[Traverse]

Okay I just wanted to make sure that "Erase all content and settings" is enough to bring the OS back to stock, even if I've modified it with SIP disabled for example.

Modern versions of macOS are sequestered in a read-only partition that Apple cryptographically signs to ensure no modifications. All of your modifications are impacting either the User Library or the separate "System Library" behind SIP, but my understanding is that the root OS is still protected in that isolated partition.

I suppose you could also try internet recovery (if that's still a think on Apple Silicon systems) as that used to download a fresh OS installer and wipe the machine. That may have been replaced with the Mac-to-Mac DFU restore, but I agree that "Erase all content and settings" is what you are after.