How to Reset a MacBook Pro to Factory Settings Without a Disc
By Jane Williams
There may come a time when you decide to sell your MacBook Pro or just have the urge to start fresh. Wiping the hard drive and returning the computer to factory default settings gives you this fresh start, and Apple makes this possible even without reinstallation discs. You just need an Internet connection to complete the reinstall process.
Step 1
Set the MacBook Pro to restart. Hold down the “Command” and “R” keys when the gray screen appears during the boot process. Select a Wi-Fi network from the menu in the top right corner of the screen, if required.
Step 2
Select “Disk Utility” from the next screen and click “Continue.” Choose your hard drive in the list and click “Erase.”
Step 3
Click the “Mac OS Extended (Journaled)” option in the new dialog. Type a new disk name and click “Erase.” One the drive is wiped, click “Disk Utility” and then “Quit Disk Utility.”
Step 4
Choose “Reinstall OS X” and click “Continue.” Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the reinstallation of the operating system.
References
Tips
- Make a backup of all your personal data and information before erasing the hard drive.
- The reinstallation of your operating system could take up to an hour, depending on your Internet connection speed. Plug the power adapter in so your computer doesn't turn off as it downloads the necessary files.
Writer Bio
Jane Williams began her writing career in 2000 as the writer and editor of a nationwide marketing company. Her articles have appeared on various websites. Williams briefly attended college for a degree in administration before embarking on her writing career.