how to reset macos but not delete files,How to Reset macOS But Not Delete Files

How to Reset macOS But Not Delete Files

Resetting your Mac can be a daunting task, especially if you’re worried about losing important files. However, with the right approach, you can reset your macOS without deleting any of your personal data. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the process step by step, ensuring that your files remain safe and sound.

Backup Your Files

Before you proceed with resetting your Mac, it’s crucial to backup all your important files. This ensures that you won’t lose any data during the process. Here’s how you can backup your files:

• Use Time Machine: macOS comes with a built-in backup feature called Time Machine. Connect an external hard drive or an external SSD to your Mac and open Time Machine. Select the drive as your backup destination and follow the on-screen instructions to start the backup process.

• Use iCloud: If you have an iCloud account, you can backup your files to the cloud. Go to System Preferences > iCloud and enable the services you want to backup, such as Photos, Documents, and Desktop. Your files will be automatically synced to the cloud.

• Manually copy files: If you prefer, you can manually copy your files to an external drive or another computer. Navigate to the folders containing your important files, right-click, and select “Copy.” Then, paste the files to your backup location.

Reset Your Mac

Once you’ve backed up your files, you can proceed with resetting your Mac. There are two methods you can use: macOS Recovery and macOS High Sierra Recovery. Here’s how to reset your Mac using each method:

Using macOS Recovery

1. Restart your Mac and hold down the Command (鈱? + R keys immediately after hearing the startup sound. Release the keys when you see the Apple logo or the spinning globe.

2. In the macOS Utilities window, click on “Disk Utility.” This will allow you to manage your Mac’s storage.

3. Select your startup disk (usually named “Macintosh HD”) and click on the “Erase” button.

4. Choose the format and scheme for your disk. For macOS, select “APFS (Mac OS Extended).” Click “Erase” to confirm.

5. Once the process is complete, close Disk Utility and click on “Reinstall macOS” to reinstall the operating system.

Using macOS High Sierra Recovery

1. Restart your Mac and hold down the Option (鈱? + Command (鈱? + R keys immediately after hearing the startup sound. Release the keys when you see the Apple logo or the spinning globe.

2. In the macOS Utilities window, click on “Reinstall macOS.” This will allow you to reinstall the operating system without erasing your files.

3. Follow the on-screen instructions to reinstall macOS. Your files will remain intact during this process.

Restore Your Files

After resetting your Mac, you can restore your files from the backup you created earlier. Here’s how to restore your files:

• Using Time Machine: Connect your external drive or SSD to your Mac. Open Time Machine and select the backup you want to restore from. Click on “Restore” to restore your files to their original locations.

• Using iCloud: Sign in to your iCloud account on your Mac. Navigate to the folders containing your backed-up files and download them to your Mac.

• Manually restoring files: If you manually copied your files to an external drive or another computer, simply copy them back to their original locations on your Mac.

By following these steps, you can reset your Mac without deleting any of your files. Remember to backup your files regularly to avoid losing important data in the future.