clean

How to Reinstall Mac (macOS): Clean Install / Factory Reset

15/01/2022 by

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Quite often, Mac users are faced with the following problem – how to return the computer to factory settings, reset all user information, and reinstall the operating system “clean”. Instructions for this process are provided below.

♥ BY TOPIC: How to find and remove large unused files and applications on Mac using standard tools.

The Mac, like most other Apple devices, is designed for personal use. And this means that usually computer owners fine-tune the system for themselves and another user will not be entirely comfortable working with it. If there is a need to completely get rid of the existing data and settings, then you need to follow the simple steps described below.

♥ BY TOPIC: Features of the ⌥Option (Alt) key on Mac (macOS) that you might not know about.

Clean Install macOS: Prerequisites

IMPORTANT: Before a clean install (reinstall, flash, factory reset) of a Mac, be sure to check:

Is the Mac tied to your Apple ID, and not to any other.
Do you remember the credentials (login and password) of your Apple ID. You can check, for example, by logging in on this page.

The fact is that if the function was activated on the Mac Find a Mac (located along the path: System settings → iCloud → Find Mac → Options), then after reinstalling the system (resetting to factory settings), the system will ask you to enter the Apple ID to which the device is linked.

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How to factory reset Macbook, iMac, Mac mini, Mac Pro (how to reinstall macOS)

Boot Mac in Recovery Mode

one. Make sure you have an internet connection (for later installation of macOS) and an electrical connection for a MacBook.

Attention! The following steps will lead to a complete removal ALL data on Mac – save the necessary information in advance on external media or make a backup using Time Machine;

2. Restart your computer (or turn it on if it was turned off) using the menu  → Reload;

3. During the reboot process, press and hold the key combination that suits you best:

⌘Cmd+R – install the version of macOS that was running on the computer before the problems occurred. Those. your Mac will install exactly the same version as before.

Option (Alt) + ⌘Cmd + R – update to the latest version of macOS that your Mac is compatible with. For example, if the “mac” worked on Mojave, and the breakdown (planned sale) occurred after the release of the final build of macOS Big Sur, the system will download from the Web and install Big Sur.

⇧Shift + ⌥Option (Alt) + ⌘Cmd + R – installing the version of macOS that was originally installed on the computer (or the closest available version to it).

Note: macOS Sierra 10.12.4 or newer required.

4. Then the window “macOS Utilities» (may be called “macOS Utilities” on versions below macOS High Sierra). Here you need to select “Disk Utility” and click “Continue”;

Check and fix boot disk errors (recommended)

one. Select in Disk Utility your drive in the menu on the left (usually Macintosh HD, it is at the very top).

2. Click on the caption First aid.

3. Click Run. The application will check the boot disk for a “health condition” i.e. performance and fix any bugs. This process may take some time.

4. Once the verification is complete, click Ready.

Erase boot drive

one. In the application disk utility, select a verified boot disk, go to the section “Erase” (at the top of the screen);

2. On the menu “Format” select APFS (for computers with macOS Sierra installed and an older version of the OS, select Mac OS Extended) and press “Erase”;

3. When the disk formatting process is complete, click “Complete” to exit Disk Utility.

Reinstalling the macOS operating system (factory reset)

Reinstall macOS using the appropriate item (screenshot below) and follow the instructions.

The latest version of macOS will be downloaded from the Internet and the macOS reinstallation process will begin. During this time, the computer may restart several times.

Note: when you install from scratch, you will have to configure your Mac and programs settings again.

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How to quickly clean up Mac with standard tools

18/12/2021 by

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Popular wisdom says: “There is never too much space on a computer.” In this article, we will tell you how to use the standard macOS tools to identify applications and files that you have not used for a long time, programs that take up the most space on your Mac and how to remove them.

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Starting with macOS Sierra 10.12, the Apple desktop operating system has acquired a standard utility that allows you to centrally manage information on the Mac. It will help you see the entire list of installed programs and files, sort them by size and date of last use, and quickly remove if necessary. This utility is not available on OS X El Capitan and older versions of the operating system.

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How to remove unnecessary programs and files using the Storage Optimization utility, freeing up disk space?

1. Open the menu  → About This Mac…

2. Go to the “Storage“.

3. Click on the “To rule…“.

To sort by size, activate the column “The size“.

5. To remove a program, select it and press the button. “Delete” at the bottom of the screen.

6. In the pop-up window, click “Delete”…

Ready.

Please note that absolutely all applications are displayed in the list of the disk space manager, including those located outside the folder “Programs“.

7. To delete large files, use the section “Documentation“And the tab”Large files“. To sort by size, activate the column “The size”…

Of course, there are solutions from third-party developers for fast and high-quality duplicate search (Gemini), measuring file sizes on Mac (WhatSize), deleting and cleaning almost any kind of information on Mac (CleanMyMac, HocusFocus). True, such applications are often paid.

In the comments, be sure to tell us about how and with what tools you clean your Mac.

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How to quickly clean Windows from garbage (cache, unnecessary system files, etc.)

27/03/2021 by ALOK DAS

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And although hard drives are constantly increasing their volume, for some reason users feel that there is not enough space all the time. The situation becomes even more real if an SSD is used. After all, it initially offers less volume than a traditional hard drive using mechanics.

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And if you really do not have enough space on your computer drive, then in this material we will offer you some tips. With their help, you can clear space for the subsequent installation of important programs and placement of files. Most often, it is enough to remove the debris cluttering the drive.

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How to enable Disk Cleanup in Windows

Windows includes a built-in tool that removes temporary files and other non-critical data. To access this service, right-click on one of the hard drives in the window “Computer” and select “Properties”…

Alternatively, you can simply search with the query Disk Cleanup…

In the disk properties window, click Disk Cleanup…

Select the file types you want to delete and click OK. The list usually includes temporary files, system logs, files in the recycle bin, and other unimportant items.

You can also delete system files that are not initially on this list. Click the “Clean up system files “if you also want to delete non-critical system files.

After that, a tab will appear “Additionally”…

Go to it and use the button “Clear” In chapter System Restore and Shadow Copy…

This will delete the system recovery data. Clicking the button will delete all restore points except the most recent one. So before using this feature, make sure that your computer is working properly – after all, you will not be able to roll back to the previous system states.

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Remove unnecessary apps that take up a lot of space

Removing programs will help free up space, but some programs are so small that getting rid of them will do nothing. Go to the menu Optionsand then select a section Applications…

On the menu “Applications and Features” you can click on the column “The size”to see how much space each program installed on your computer takes up.

Alternatively, you can use a third-party uninstaller such as Revo Uninstaller. It will help you make sure that all files remaining after cleaning from the application are also deleted and do not take up space.

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Check what your computer’s drive is doing (what files)

Sometimes users do not really know what exactly their hard drive is clogged with. To obtain this information, use a hard disk analysis program. This app will scan your drive and show you exactly which files and folders are taking up the most space. Of the best and most popular tools for analyzing the contents of a hard drive, we recommend WinDirStat.

After scanning your system, WinDirStat will show you exactly which folders, files and their types are taking up the most space.

Make sure that you do not touch any important system files when deleting – only delete files with personal data. If you see that the program folder in the Program Files folder takes up a lot of space, then you can try to uninstall this program, but not manually, but through the Windows uninstallation tools. And WinDirStat will tell you exactly how much space the application you are interested in takes up, even if it is not in the Control Panel for Programs and Components.

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How to delete Windows cache and temporary files

Windows’ built-in disk cleanup tool is generally useful. It allows you to delete even temporary files, but we are talking about system elements. But the utility does not see temporary files created by other applications. We are talking, for example, about the caches of the Chrome or Firefox browsers, which can take up gigabytes of hard disk space. The cache takes up some disk space, saving you time when accessing websites in the future. But this can be very inappropriate if you need to free up space right now.

And for more aggressive cleaning of temporary and unnecessary files, use the popular CCleaner application. This program will scan installed applications and remove unnecessary files associated with them.

CCleaner will also allow you to clean up Windows files that are left without the attention of the built-in cleaning program.

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Search for duplicate files (duplicates)

You can use a dedicated duplicate file finder application that will scan your hard drive for duplicate files. They are most likely unnecessary and can be removed. Among the free applications with such functionality, we can recommend VisiPics.

And if you are ready to invest a little and get a more efficient tool, then check out Duplicate Cleaner Pro. This application attracts not only with its pleasant interface, but also has many additional features to help you find and remove duplicate files.

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Customize Windows Recovery Options

If the system restore files (restore points) take up a lot of hard disk space, you can reduce the amount of space allocated for this purpose. The tradeoff is that you have fewer restore points to roll back to previous system states and fewer previous copies of files to restore. If these features are not as important to you as the space they use on your hard drive, then you can free up up to several gigabytes of space previously reserved for system recovery.

To do this, go to the section Recovery…

Click on the button link Configuring System Restore

In the window that opens, click Tune…

Reduce the allocated space for System Restore, or delete any existing restore points from the disk.

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Extreme options

These tips will definitely help you free up the space you need, but will also disable important Windows features. It is better to use such options in the most critical functions, when you desperately need to free up disk space right here and now:

Disable hibernation… When you hibernate the system, it saves the contents of RAM to your hard drive. This allows it to store the state of the system without consuming power. The next time you boot your computer, you will be returned to the same place from where you left. Windows saves the contents of your RAM to a file C: hiberfil.sys… To save space on your hard drive, you can turn off hibernation completely, and the large file will be deleted.

To disable hibernation, use the command line running as administrator:

At the command prompt, enter the command powercfg -h off and press Enter…

This action will disable hibernation and delete the file hiberfil.sys from the hard drive.

To enable hibernation, use the command powercfg -h on in the same way.

Disable System Restore… If reducing the amount of space used for System Restore didn’t help you much, you can disable this system feature entirely. But be prepared for failure if you need to take advantage of system restore in case of problems with its work. So using this method is required with extreme caution and awareness of the possible consequences.

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How to reinstall Mac (macOS): clean install / factory reset

03/02/2021 by ALOK DAS

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Quite often, Mac users are faced with the following problem – how to return the computer to factory settings, resetting all user information, and reinstall the operating system “clean”. Instructions for this process are presented below.

♥ BY TOPIC: How to find and delete large unused files and applications on Mac using standard tools.

The Mac, like most other Apple devices, is designed for personal use. This means that usually computer owners fine-tune the system for themselves and another user will not be entirely comfortable working with it. If it becomes necessary to completely get rid of the existing data and settings, then you need to follow the simple steps described below.

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Clean install macOS: preliminary steps

IMPORTANT: Before you clean install (reinstall, flash, factory reset) your Mac, be sure to check:

Is the Mac linked to your Apple ID and not to any other
Do you remember your Apple ID credentials (login and password)? You can check, for example, by logging in on this page (from a computer).

The fact is that in case the function was activated on Mac Find Mac (located along the path: System settings → iCloud → Find Mac), then after reinstalling the system (resetting to factory settings), the system will ask you to enter the Apple ID to which the device is linked.

ON THIS TOPIC:

How to factory reset Macbook, iMac, Mac mini, Mac Pro (how to reinstall macOS)

Boot Mac into Recovery Mode

one. Make sure you have an internet connection (to install macOS later), as well as an electrical connection in the case of a MacBook.

Attention! Further actions will lead to the complete deletion of ALL data on the Mac – save the necessary information on an external medium in advance;

2. Restart your computer (or turn it on if it was turned off) using the menu  → Restart;

3. During the reboot process, press and hold the keyboard shortcut that suits you best:

⌘Cmd + R – install the version of macOS that was running on the computer before the problems occurred. Those. your Mac will install exactly the same version as before.

⌥Option (Alt) + ⌘Cmd + R – update to the latest macOS version your Mac is compatible with. For example, if the Mac was running on High Sierra, and the breakdown occurred after the final macOS Mojave build was released, the system will download and install Mojave from the Web.

⇧Shift + ⌥Option (Alt) + ⌘Cmd + R – installation of the version of macOS that was originally installed on the computer (or the closest version available).

Note: macOS Sierra 10.12.4 or later required.

4… Then the window “MacOS Utilities “ (May be referred to as macOS Utilities on versions below macOS High Sierra). Here you need to select “Disk Utility “ and click “Proceed”;

Checking and fixing boot disk errors (recommended)

one… Select in Disk Utility your drive in the menu on the left (usually the Macintosh HD, it’s at the very top).

2… Click on the inscription First aid…

3… Click on Run… The application will check the boot disk for “health status”, ie. performance and will correct any errors. This process may take some time.

4… After completing the check, press Done…

Erasing a boot disk

one. In the application Disk utility, select a verified boot disk, go to the section “Erase” (at the top of the screen);

2. On the menu “Format” select APFS (for computers with macOS Sierra and older OS, select Mac OS Extended) and press “Erase “;

3. When the disk formatting process is complete, click “Complete” to exit Disk Utilities…

Reinstalling the macOS Operating System (Factory Reset)

Reinstall macOS using the appropriate item (screenshot below) and follow the instructions. The latest version of macOS will be downloaded from the Internet and the process of reinstalling macOS will begin. During this time, the computer may restart.

Note: if you install from scratch, you will need to re-configure your Mac and programs.

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How do I clean my AirPods Pro or AirPods properly and can I rinse with water? Apple instructions

10/10/2020 by ALOK DAS

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Over time, any in-ear headphones require cleaning from the owner. How to do this correctly so as not to damage the device and remove accumulated dirt from it? Here are some tips for cleaning AirPods and AirPods Pro and EarPods.

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How to clean AirPods Pro and AirPods

1. Do not rinse AirPods or AirPods Pro with direct water flow.

2. For wiping, you need a soft dry lint-free fabric.

3. If AirPods or AirPods Pro have been previously treated with substances that cause stains or other damage (soap, shampoo, hair care products, lotions, perfumes, solvents, cleansers, acids and products containing them, insect repellents, sunscreens, vegetable oils or hair dyes), the following steps must be taken:

First, wipe the headphones clean with a cloth slightly moistened with clean water and then with a soft, dry, lint-free cloth.
Allow the device to dry completely before placing it in the charging case.
Do not use headphones until they are completely dry.

4. Make sure no liquid gets into the holes.

5. Clean the microphone and speaker grids with a dry cotton swab.

6. No sharp objects or abrasive materials should be used when cleaning AirPods or AirPods Pro.

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How to clean AirPods Pro earbuds

1. Water may collect in the liner. Then knock your AirPod on soft, dry and lint-free cloth… In this case, the opening of the insert must point downward so that the water can escape out.

2. Remove the earbuds from each AirPod and rinse them under water. Do not use soap or other household detergents.

3. Then wipe the earbuds with a soft, dry, lint-free cloth. And make sure they are completely dry before placing them back on AirPods.

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How to clean the AirPods and AirPods Pro case

Over time, not only the headphones, but also the charging case get dirty. It also requires careful handling. The case should be cleaned with a soft, dry, lint-free cloth. If necessary, you can slightly dampen a cloth with isopropyl alcohol. You should first make sure there is no moisture in the charging ports.

Here are some more helpful tips:

To remove dirt from the Lightning connector, use clean and dry soft brush.
Do not use any abrasive materials when cleaning the charging case.

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Water protection in AirPods and AirPods Pro: what you need to know

AirPods Pro have received water protection, but they should not be considered waterproof. What’s more, the Wireless Charging Case for AirPods Pro is not waterproof at all, nor is it liquid-proof. This is why water entering the device holes can be fatal. If contact with liquid does occur, then immediately dry the case. To do this, turn it upside down and open the lid.

AirPods 1st or 2nd generation are not water-resistant for the headphones themselves and their charging case. Avoid getting liquid into any openings of the device. If this happens, even with sweat during training, then AirPods should be wiped with a dry microfiber cloth. To dry the case, open and turn it over.

If, after getting inside moisture, the earphone stops working and drying does not help, you will have to order a replacement.

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How to clean wired EarPods

Do not rinse EarPods under water.
You will need a dry, soft, lint-free cloth to wipe.
Make sure there is no moisture in the holes.
You will need a dry cotton swab to clean the microphone and speaker mesh. Dirt from the screens can be removed with a dry soft brush.
Do not use sharp objects or abrasive materials to clean the EarPods.

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How to find out the date of the last clean macOS installation on your Mac

27/06/2020 by ALOK DAS

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Want to know how long you have been standing 🙂 – and it works without problems! – Apple OS? No problem – a simple Terminal team will help you.

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How to find out the date macOS was last reinstalled on your Mac

1. Launch the Terminal application. You can find it through the Spotlight search (the icon with a magnifying glass in the upper right corner of the screen, next to the clock) or through Launchpad → Other.

2. Copy (⌘Cmd + C) and insert (⌘Cmd + V) to the Terminal window the following command:

ls -l /var/db/.AppleSetupDone

3. Press the key Return (Enter).

A date line will appear in the Terminal window: for example, June 3, 2014.

Please note: this information is not affected by the installation of minor macOS updates; only data on “clean” installations are taken into account (“from scratch”).

♥ BY TOPIC: How to reinstall macOS or restore Mac factory settings.

That is, if you installed macOS Mojave on top of macOS High Sierra, the Terminal will not inform you about this update. Accordingly, if the Mac seller “did not take a steam bath” with a complete reinstallation of macOS, then you will quickly understand if he is telling the truth or cheating.

By the way, when buying a laptop, it will not be superfluous to check the number of battery recharge cycles. Recall this, you can do this: Apple menu ( “apple” in the upper left corner of the screen) → About this Mas → System report → Power supply → Number of recharge cycles.

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How to clean and wash your Apple Watch

19/02/2020 by ALOK DAS

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Any electronics, like jewelry, requires a careful attitude and regular care. The Apple Watch is no exception, however, being both a sophisticated electronic device and a high-end accessory, the watch needs special care. How to care for the “apple” smart watch, we will tell you below.

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How to clean, wash and dry your Apple Watch

Remember that the Apple Watch does not like moisture and dirt, so keep your gadget clean and dry. If the accessory has lost its original clean gloss, do not rush to dip it under the tap and soap it with soap. Any surfactants (soaps, shampoos, dishwashing detergents, cleaning powders, etc.) can damage the device. Also, do not use abrasive substances, which, together with dirt, wipe away even a good part of the paint.

Ultrasound, compressed air and various heaters are not suitable for cleaning the Apple Watch. How then to clean your favorite watch, you ask? In fact, everything is very simple. Instead of looking for sophisticated technologies and miraculous remedies, arm yourself with a piece of soft, clean, lint-free cloth that can be slightly moistened with water if necessary. Wipe the watch gently with this cloth, wipe it dry – and now they sparkle again, like brand new!

Important: Before cleaning the Apple Watch, be sure to disconnect them from the charger and turn them off.

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How to clean the Digital Crow if it sticks

It so happens that the Digital Crown wheel stops rolling as smoothly as before. Most likely, dirt got into the gap between it and the watch case, and it needs to be removed. The wheel cleaning process is also very simple. Disconnect the device from charging and turn it off. If you wear your watch on a leather strap, you need to take it off.

Open the tap with warm water and let a thin stream. Substitute the Digital Crown under the stream and hold it by turning and pressing the wheel for 10-15 seconds. Again, soap and other detergents are prohibited! Now wipe the gadget dry with a piece of clean, lint-free cloth.

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How to clean watch straps for Apple Watch

In addition to the watch itself, careful cleaning also requires a strap. If you bought a strap from a third-party manufacturer, carefully read the care instructions on the packaging or in a special insert. If you use an Apple strap, do the following to clean it.

Wipe the leather bracelet with a clean, lint-free cloth (if necessary, moisten the cloth slightly with clean water). Dipping the strap in water, and even more so leaving it there, is by no means impossible. After cleaning the bracelet, do not dry it with a hairdryer, heaters or in direct sunlight, otherwise it may harm it. It is not recommended to immediately fasten a still wet strap to the watch. Non-leather bracelets are cleaned in exactly the same way, but you can dry them simply by wiping them with a clean, lint-free cloth.

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Some tips for people with allergies or high skin sensitivity

If you are allergic or your skin is very sensitive, first select a watch and strap model that will not cause a reaction (use plastic for allergies to metals and vice versa). Do not over tighten the wrist strap; this can cause discomfort when wearing the watch. Both your body and the Apple Watch need to be kept clean and dry, then wearing the gadget will be as comfortable as possible, and sweat, soap, cosmetics, etc. will not spoil the watch over time.

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