Reinstall OS X on MacBook Air

[Loved]

Hello,

I'm selling my new MacBook Air and I want to turn it back to it's complete original settings.

How do I do this?

 

[jamets515]

Turn off your MacBook air.

Insert the USB pen drive from the documentation wallet of your MacBook into one of the free USB ports.

Turn on your MacBook and reinstall the OS.

 

[Loved]

Turn off your MacBook air.

Insert the USB pen drive from the documentation wallet of your MacBook into one of the free USB ports.

Turn on your MacBook and reinstall the OS.

Hi

Would this allow the person who I sell it to install the system himself? So when the mac gets turned on for the first time, can I take the disk out and he installs the rest?

Also, does this completely remove my files? People tell me that this removes files, not erases them. Also, Do I need to logout of my iTunes, or what ever?

 

[res1233]

Hi

Would this allow the person who I sell it to install the system himself? So when the mac gets turned on for the first time, can I take the disk out and he installs the rest?

Also, does this completely remove my files? People tell me that this removes files, not erases them. Also, Do I need to logout of my iTunes, or what ever?

Ones you complete a full reinstall of the OS from the thumb drive, boot it up and go into disk utility, select your internal hard drive from the list on the left, go to the erase tab, and select "Erase Free Space". Generally "Zero Out Deleted Files" is enough unless you work for the CIA or something... The other options take significantly more time and are generally not needed. Push the "Erase Free Space" button and it'll erase all the data that was deleted from your computer after the fresh install of OS X.

EDIT: Come to think of it, it may be better to boot it up from the thumb drive instead, and running Disk Utility from there. Booting it up from the main drive will start the customization process, which would require you to enter information that may or may not be to the liking of the person who's getting the machine, so that's what I'd do.