returning machine, Fastest way to erase!

[twgolf]

Want to quickly erase HD and dont care about restoring OS (Returning 15" Touch)

Can I get into disk utilities from the startup and erase or do I need a bootable USB stick?

 

[BarracksSi]

Hold command-R to start up in Recovery Mode. Should be able to figure it out from there.

 

[maka344]

Encrypt drive, and then follow above tip.

 

[maflynn]

Encrypt drive, and then follow above tip.

I don't think that step is necessary, I think erasing and reinstalling is sufficient.

 

[maka344]

I don't think that step is necessary, I think erasing and reinstalling is sufficient.

It depends if he wishes to protect his data from being recovered by Apple or the person who ends up with the refurb. Agreed, risk is low but then that depends on how important his data is.

Encryption takes seconds to enable.

 

[maflynn]

It depends if he wishes to protect his data from being recovered by Apple or the person who ends up with the refurb. Agreed, risk is low but then that depends on how important his data is.

Encryption takes seconds to enable.

But SSDs don't have the same issue of HDs and removing data from SSDs is more permanent.

 

[maka344]

But SSDs don't have the same issue of HDs and removing data from SSDs is more permanent.

You can still recover unencrypted data from SSD drives. It's just an extra line of safety.

 

[BarracksSi]

Just don't open Terminal and type "sudo rm . -rf" (or whatever the command is). ;-)