Cleanish install (Monterey to Ventura)

[Steven Jackson]

Years ago I used to do a clean install of Mac OS by booting into recovery, erasing the HDD with Disk Utility, then reinstalling from the internet. I know things have changed over the last five years or so, but is this still basically possible?

I want to go from Monterey to Ventura.

Can I use "Erase all content and settings" in System Preferences (on Monterey), boot into recovery, then reinstall (Ventura).

Or have I misunderstood and only Monterey will be offered when reinstalling? In an ideal world, I want my Mac to feel like it's fresh from the factory with everything up to date and no traces of a previous install on there...

 

[Sheepish-Lord]

What I'm going to try, out of curiosity, is do the upgrade/install to Ventura then do the "erase all content and settings" which should give me a fresh install of Ventura. It's probably not the same as formatting the drive but Apple put this new option in there for a reason so effectively it should be similar to a format or else if you sold a device there could be lingering data others may get.

 

[yellowhelicopter]

Years ago I used to do a clean install of Mac OS by booting into recovery, erasing the HDD with Disk Utility, then reinstalling from the internet. I know things have changed over the last five years or so, but is this still basically possible?

Yes, just delete current macOS volume, create a new one and install from internet.

 

[yellowhelicopter]

What I'm going to try, out of curiosity, is do the upgrade/install to Ventura then do the "erase all content and settings" which should give me a fresh install of Ventura. It's probably not the same as formatting the drive but Apple put this new option in there for a reason so effectively it should be similar to a format or else if you sold a device there could be lingering data others may get.

I think it's basically exactly the same, the system will erase all data added by user and restore absent files if needed from protected non-writtable image.

 

[bubeli]

Hello everyone,
I have two questions on this topic:
- in Recovery Mode and after opening Disk Utility, should I delete only the volume (since I didn't change its name from the standard one) "Macintosh HD" or the whole Hard Disk (SSD) by changing the view to "Show all devices"?
- Is it certain that if I then choose to reinstall macOS via recovery I will be offered Ventura or still Monterey, because that was the one that came with my Mac?
Thank you very much if anyone can take these two doubts away from me....

 

[Steven Jackson]

What I want to know, though, is will Ventura be offered as an install option after using "Erase all content and settings" in Monterey?

 

[rxpxn]

What I want to know, though, is will Ventura be offered as an install option after using "Erase all content and settings" in Monterey?

Had a go at this yesterday in Ventura. It started the process and then something went wrong, it kicked me out into recovery mode. Only option to reinstall Monterey via internet recovery. Might be worth waiting until it's released tonight.

 

[bubeli]

Yes, that we should wait for Ventura's exit seems clear to me. However, the doubt remains: will there be an option to install (via recovery) Ventura or will there only be Monterey, because it is the operating system that came with the computer?
Thank you and best regards.

 

[Unidentified]

Best way is to make a BOOTABLE USB of Ventura like always before your erase everything.

 

[chabig]

I don’t think there is anything to gain by doing this, other than deleting all of your user data. But if that is the intent, then the method suggested by @Sheepish-Lord is much easier.

 

[bubeli]

@Unidentified
Okay, I'll do that. The old-fashioned way.
But then I have to format only the volume and the whole HDD with Disk Utility when I proceed with the installation? Does it change anything? Or not, because formatting the main volume (Macintosh HD) also erases the "Data" volume?

 

[yellowhelicopter]

Okay, I'll do that. The old-fashioned way.
But then I have to format only the volume and the whole HDD with Disk Utility when I proceed with the installation? Does it change anything? Or not, because formatting the main volume (Macintosh HD) also erases the "Data" volume?

If you're using APFS, just delete group of volumes with macOS (Macintosh HD and Macintosh HD - Data by default). "Minus" icon in Disk Utility. No need to format the whole drive.

 

[bubeli]

If you're using APFS, just delete group of volumes with macOS (Macintosh HD and Macintosh HD - Data by default). "Minus" icon in Disk Utility. No need to format the whole drive.

Perfect, thank you very much for the information... This is my first time to change operating system on a Mac M1 so I didn't want to run into mistakes...

 

[yellowhelicopter]

Perfect, thank you very much for the information... This is my first time to change operating system on a Mac M1 so I didn't want to run into mistakes...

APFS is a great filesystem where volumes (or partitions) share free space. If you need to save something you can just create new volume on the same drive and f.e. backup your user directory or programs there before deleting the system group volume. Then after new system installation, copy them back with Migration Assistant, and then just delete this temporary volume - the new system volume will take its space. No need for some additional drive.

 

[Schnauzer World]

I was reading up on doing this and one website if you have the T2 chip you have to change security to allow booting from external disks.

 

[DarthMH]

I tried to make a clean install, I cleaned my HD. But when I returned to the restoration screen, just Monterey is shown. In my mind, I thought the Ventura would be shown (because I’m connected to the internet) but looks like the system try to use the original system (my MacBook Pro Max originally came with Monterey).

 

[UMJD2002]

I tried to make a clean install, I cleaned my HD. But when I returned to the restoration screen, just Monterey is shown. In my mind, I thought the Ventura would be shown (because I’m connected to the internet) but looks like the system try to use the original system (my MacBook Pro Max originally came with Monterey).

I’ve run into same issue. Will only let me choose to install Monterey even though I already upgraded to Ventura.

 

[Schnauzer World]

You must turn off your T2 security and select allow boot from external drive before it will allow to install Ventura from usb

 

[yellowhelicopter]

I’ve run into same issue. Will only let me choose to install Monterey even though I already upgraded to Ventura.

Hmm, I was sure it would let one choose which from supported versions to install. It seems like it only allows to return the system to "factory settings" via the internet. Well, then to install from scratch one would need another bootable macOS volume to install from it.

 

[bubeli]

In the end, at least for computers with Apple Silicon, I too believe that the simplest and most straightforward option is to upgrade to Ventura and then proceed an "erase all content and settings," as Sheepish-Lord suggested.
This, of course, if the goal is to simply have a
a clean system, without all those files accumulated, e.g., by software installations and uninstallations, in past use. Of course, if there are other problems upstream, perhaps installing from scratch via USB may be better.

 

[pshufd]

I'm running the Monterey to Ventura upgrade install right now on my 2021 MacBook Pro. I'm typing on my 2015 MacBook Pro. And it just came up so I'm going to play with it.

Update: it's up and running and I haven't noticed any problems. The biggest reason for the update for me is the weather app and it does not disappoint. I will use Ventura today to see if there are any issues to deal with.

 

[Schnauzer World]

Hmm, I was sure it would let one choose which from supported versions to install. It seems like it only allows to return the system to "factory settings" via the internet. Well, then to install from scratch one would need another bootable macOS volume to install from it.

Yes, I had to make a bootable Ventura drive because it defaulted back to Monterey for a clean install. Then I forgot to disable the T2 security chip to let it boot from USB. After that, it installed fine. Then I re-enabled the T2 chip and rebooted.

If you haven't already make a Monterey boot disk also in case you don't like Ventura or it breaks some of your apps. I didn't like it and will wait for a few months and try again. Good Luck!

 

[no0nefamous]

Best way is to make a BOOTABLE USB of Ventura like always before your erase everything.

I've been trying to get a clear answer on this. I'm on an M1 iMac and have already upgraded to Ventura but want to do the cleanest install possible. Is there really any benefit to doing the bootable USB install method over the "Erase all Content and Settings" method? This seems like holdover advice from past methods that no longer applies but I want to be sure.

 

[Schnauzer World]

I've been trying to get a clear answer on this. I'm on an M1 iMac and have already upgraded to Ventura but want to do the cleanest install possible. Is there really any benefit to doing the bootable USB install method over the "Erase all Content and Settings" method? This seems like holdover advice from past methods that no longer applies but I want to be sure.

If you boot into recovery mode what Version of macOS does it offer to install. If it offers Ventura, I don't think there's any benefit to use a bootable USB.

I have a 2020 Intel iMac and if I boot into recovery mode, it only offers Monterey, so I had no choice.

 

[no0nefamous]

If you boot into recovery mode what Version of macOS does it offer to install. If it offers Ventura, I don't think there's any benefit to use a bootable USB.

I have a 2020 Intel iMac and if I boot into recovery mode, it only offers Monterey, so I had no choice.

Had some free time today and played around a bit with this.

- "Erase all Content and Settings" does not actually erase the OS installation. It effectively works the same way as the identical option on iOS does - it erases all of your personal data and wipes it but leaves the OS installation intact.

- If you have already upgraded to Ventura, without erasing your Hard Disk you will have the option to re-install Ventura in Recovery, which will not erase your personal data. This overwrites the existing installation.

- If you erase your Hard Disk through Disk Utility in Recovery, you will only be offered to re-install whatever your device shipped with. In my case, Monterey.

Therefore, the only way to get a completely clean install of macOS Ventura at this time is:
- Create bootable USB Installer for Ventura
- Erase Hard Disk in Disk Utility while in Recovery
- Install Ventura from bootable USB

Ultimately will the two methods make a difference? In 99% of cases, probably not, but if you're like me and it triggers your OCD unless you do it the cleanest possible method, this is the way lol.