Selling MBP - how do I remove all personal info but leave apps?

Sorry for the newbie question.
I just bought a new MBP and sold my old one. I want to leave the installed apps on my old MBP (running 10.5.7) but make sure that all of my personal info, data, etc. is gone.
I'm not familiar enough with accounts on a Mac (I've never gone through the process of deleting one) but will the following accomplish what I want to do?:
1) Create a new user account for the new owner. Make that account an Administrator.
2) Reboot and log in as the new user.
3) Delete my current/old user account.
4) Start Disk Utility and use the "Erase Free Space" function.
So I guess my biggest question is in #3 above. When I delete my current/old user account, what does it wipe out and what does it leave behind?
I know my other option is to wipe the whole thing out and install from the OS X CD's that came with the MBP and then re-instal all the software but I'd rather not have to go to that extreme if possible.

The very best way to do this is to do a complete Erase and Install with the original system disc. You can do any additional erasing before that.
What about the apps? Provide the seller with the original discs of those too, and let them reinstall them. Note that with some companies you will want to fill out a Transfer of License so that legal ownership and rights to future upgrade discounts are transferred to the new owner and don't remain with you, because that would screw the new owner if they tried to get an upgrade and they couldn't because it was still registered to you.
I would not sell a machine that hasn't been completely wiped. I want all traces of me off that thing. And that includes any confusion as to the legal ownership of the apps you are selling with the machine.

Similar Messages

  • How do you remove all personal info from a notebook when getting it ready for the recycle program?

    I havae purchased a new notebook and am getting my old MacBook Pro ready to submit to the recycle program at Apple. The list of "to-do's" asks that you remove all your personal info and take the notebook back to it's original settings. Does ayone have any advise on how to do this?

    Boot from the original OS installer disk and do an Erase & Install.
    When the Mac reboots into Mac Setup Assistant you quit and shut it down.
    It's now a brand new Mac... just like when you got it.
    http://www.ehow.com/how_5852122_restore-imac-factory-settings.html
    http://www.macworld.com/article/158670/2011/03/prepare_sell_mac.html

  • For turn in purpose how do i remove all my info from my phone

    for turn in purpose how do i remove all my info from my phone

    Since you posted your question on the iPhone forum, I'm assuming you have an iPhone.
    In that case, go to Settings...General...Reset, and select Erase all content and Settings.
    This will remove all of your content and restore the iphone to factory settings.
    I have done this myself before selling iphones.

  • How do i delete all personal info on my macbook air before i sell it?

    I`m about to sell my macbook air and want to delete all personal info on the computer (pictures, files, music and so on) how do I do this? Want the computer to start as it did when it was new...
    Regards
    Kris

    You don't mention the hardware configuration of the subject MBA.
    Be aware, that if equipped with an SSD, the information on the disk is not "removed" by a simple re-format. Doing a zero-once on an SSD is not as good as on a hard drive, because of the way SSDs handle writing data.
    While the information is not readily retrievable by a novice, it is nonetheless intact until overwritten.
    I'm sure there are SSD experts here who can comment on just how to prepare an SSD for selling.
    I do recognize that in some people's opinion, the concern is overemphasized.

  • Preparing MacBook for charity donation, how do I clean all personal info?

    I am prepping my MacBook as a charity donation and want to remove all personal files from it. 
    Ideally the new owner has a new out of box experience. 
    I do not have a bootable OS CD.
    How can I ensure all my personal information is removed from the system?
    System Info:
    MacBook3,1
    Intel Core 2 Duo, 2.2GHz, 4M L2 Cache, 2GB 800MHz
    Mac OS X 10.5.8 (9L30)
    Appreciate any help on this front.
    Thank you

    To prepare it for sale you should follow these instructions:
    What to do before selling or giving away your Mac
    Some of the following will not be applicable to your version of OS X. Disregard references that don't apply.
    In addition to the above:
    If you enabled FileVault, disable it in System Preferences > Security & Privacy.
    "Deauthorize" your iTunes account. Same for Audible if you have one.
    System Preferences > iCloud > de-select "Back to My Mac" and "Find my Mac".
    Sign out of iCloud. Select "Delete from Mac" when it appears.
    Then:
    Start your Mac with its original System Installation DVD (if your Mac shipped with one) or OS X Recovery (if it didn’t).
    Remove any Open Firmware password if you created one: select Firmware Password Utility from the Utilities menu and remove it.
    Select Disk Utility from the Utilities menu.
    Remove any partitions you may have created.
    Select the Mac's hard disk icon, then select the "Erase" tab.
    Select the "Security Options" button and erase the disk.
    The more "securely" you erase the disk, the longer it will take. The fastest method is sufficient since all but the most expensive techniques and equipment will be able to recover securely erased data.
    When it finishes, quit Disk Utility.
    Select Install Mac OS X from the Utilities menu. Do not create any user accounts.
    When it finishes, shut down the computer.
    If you want to install the bundled apps that were included with your Mac, restart by using your Applications DVD and install the bundled apps.
    Don't forget to include any DVDs that came with your iMac, your AppleCare certificate if you bought it, printed documentation, even the box if you still have it.
    Execute a bill of sale showing the Mac's serial number.
    Once no longer in your possession, remove the Mac from your devices in My Support Profile.
    Ideally the new owner has a new out of box experience.
    I do not have a bootable OS CD.
    You will require one to accomplish the above, and its new owner will need it for a variety of reasons. Obtain a replacement from Apple. The cost is reasonable ($25 or so). You will require the MacBook's serial number: MacBook: How to find the serial number

  • How do I remove ALL Metro/Modern/Universal/Windows Apps without removing the Start Menu?

    So with three separate builds of WTP I've run the PowerShell command to remove Metro/Modern/Universal/Windows Apps. With each build, it also removes the Start Menu. In the thread below, an MS Support person mentioned that that command was only for Windows
    8.x and shouldn't be run on WTP. What? Then why is that command still available? And, why will it remove some Metro/Modern/Universal/Windows Apps, but not others? Are they marked as System required? Why isn't the Start Menu marked as System required? You'd
    think that the start menu would be pretty important.
    https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/053f63bc-c174-44f1-8f6c-8ead1ad965fb/spartan-and-start-menu-on-10049?forum=WinPreview2014General
    So, with the start menu being an XAML app, how do I safely remove ALL Metro/Modern/Universal/Windows Apps without removing the Start Menu? I have no use for them and don't want them on my computer. Period. There has to be some command like the one we used
    in Windows 8.x that will allow use to remove ALL Metro/Modern/Universal/Windows Apps without removing the Start Menu.
    Don't give an answer like "just right-click and uninstall". That doesn't work for all of these things, and do you know how long it takes to do that for all of those silly things? Too long! That's also not practical for an Enterprise desktop. It's
    also not practical to leave all of that junk on the desktop, so don't suggest that either.
    Dan

    The problem with PowerShell and all of those scripts is that those particular scripts require a lot of typing, or copy and paste, or having to figure out where all of those apps are stored and then insert their convoluted names into the script. For
    me, scripting is like programming. I have no desire to be a programmer/developer.
    I just want an option in Programs and Features to be able to turn these "features" off. We were able to do it in previous versions of Windows. If we didn't want Internet Games, we uncheck the box. If we don't want our users to be able to print
    documents over the Internet, we uncheck the box. And so on down the line for any other "feature" we didn't want our enterprise users to have.
    Or, we could turn those features off using the System Image Manager. Now we have to write some convoluted script with even more convoluted commands for even more convoluted names for things we don't want.
    The easier script in Windows 8.x was just get-appxpackages -online | remove-appxpackages. That removed the majority of the apps for an individual user. The remove-appxprovisionedpackage command, with the convoluted name of the app, would remove them from
    the hard drive - one app at a time, but that doesn't work in Windows 10.
    So, they came up with a DISM command, but that doesn't work in Windows 10 either. I should say that with my limited developer skills I haven't found a way to make it work.
    Again, I have no desire to be a developer/scripter. They are the same thing in my book. I'm a systems engineer. I do operating systems, not write applications.
    Dan
    So, I guess there is no real answer to this question.

  • How Do I remove all File Info after completeing image?

    After completing all work on a Photoshop Image - then saving as a jpeg - all the file info still remains (XMP).  How do I delete it?

    I appreciate your response and your effort to try to help me.  This is all stuff I know nothing about, so please bear with me.  I clicked on a picture I am ready to post on Behance – and chose “Save For Web”.  There is no  option to “Remove Metadata”.   
    There is a box entitled “Metadata:” – but choices are  “Copyright” – “Copyright and Contact Info” -  “All Except Camera Info” – “All”. 
    Is there any other way I could check to remove all the info I see when I open “File Info”?
    And, what does all that stuff in the Metadata box mean?  I would love to look it up for myself – but have no idea where to go to find info about it.
    Please help and thank you.
    Carol

  • HT5012 How do I remove all my info on my bookmark ?

    I've tried to remove items from my bookmarks  but I can't get any edit buttons  what I want is to remove all the bookmarks.

    Tap the "Edit" button (tap to enlarge image)

  • How can I remove all data from the iPhoto app?

    I wanted to reset my iPhoto library and remove all places, faces and events recognized from the pictures, so I copied my iPhoto library to a hard drive and then deleted it and emptied the trash. Copied the data to iPhoto again and took a look. The library was exactly the same. When I saw my activity monitor I realised there were just 12 gigabytes remaining in my hard drive (I'm using a 128GB Macbook Air) and before doing all this there were 47 gigabytes remaining. My iPhoto library is about 35GB, and I think I didn't replaced the library, I duplicated it. I'd really like to know if someone can help me finding the other library and deleting it, because I'm getting out of space in my mac.

    Your post is not clear
    I wanted to reset my iPhoto library and remove all places, faces and events recognized from the pictures, so I copied my iPhoto library to a hard drive and then deleted it and emptied the trash.
    OK
    Copied the data to iPhoto again and took a look.
    Exactly what does this mean?
    Probably your best bet is to run your iPhoto library on an external drive
    Moving the iPhoto library is safe and simple - quit iPhoto and drag the iPhoto library intact as a single entity to the external drive - depress the option key and launch iPhoto using the "select library" option to point to the new location on the external drive - fully test it and then trash the old library on the internal drive (test one more time prior to emptying the trash)
    And be sure that the External drive is formatted Mac OS extended (journaled) (iPhoto does not work with drives with other formats) and that it is always available prior to launching iPhoto
    And backup soon and often - having your iPhoto library on an external drive is not a backup and if you are using Time Machine you need to check and be sure that TM is backing up your external drive
    LN

  • HT204053 how i can change my personal info to buy apps

    How i can change or reset my  personal info in my apple ID

    iTunes Store: Changing Account Information
              http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1918

  • How do I remove my personal info from my Mac Mini (selling)...

    ... I contacted AppleCare who advised me to erase the HDD (by starting-up holding Command-R), which I did.
    The Mini then went to the internet to download a fresh copy of the OS - trouble is I'm on a REALLY slow connection (512kbps) and it estimated 70+ hours and it's apparently 3.5GB +, which is also way out of my allowance.
    I contacted AppleCare again who pointed me to my local Apple Store, who couldn't get rid of me fast enough.  They ended up giving me a USB drive with a Copy of OS/X Lion, which when I got home found out didn't work....  it turns out that the current Mac Minis won't allow an install this way. I called the store, and received no response.
    Is there any way I can 'clean out' my personal details without going through a full re-install???
    Thanks!

    @ bootloader:
    Worked! - nice one!
    I had already manually deleted all my old data (and done an Erase Free Space), so this has done the trick - it's nice, easy ideas like this that sometimes work the best!  When deleting the User Account, there's an option for Safe Erasure which I guess writes zeroes.

  • Selling: Remove all personal info in HD with OSX Lion still installed

    Hi,
    I know this has been asked before but I can't find any post relating to my exact situation.
    I am planning to sell my macbook pro (bought mid-2009). I don't have the installation CD with me. I can't even remember what OS X it was.
    Anyway, my current OS version is Mountain Lion 10.8.3 and since I don't have my old CD and for a better resale value, I would like the OS X Mountain Lion retained. Again, I have no choice as I don't have the installation CD (I moved country).
    I know it is not the most secured but is there any way I would be able to erase only a few areas of my HD like Document, Photos, Music, Movies, Download folders?
    I have de-authorised my Itunes, Icloud, Imessage already and cleared all my Internet browser caches.

    If you upgraded to Lion and/or Mountain Lion by buying it from the Mac App Store you are not legally allowed to transfer that software.
    You have to return the system to the OS that was running on it when you bought it new. If you no longer have the original install DVD's you can get them from Apple for a nominal fee.
    regards

  • How do you wipe all personal info on a macbook but keep the applications on it?

    So I am selling my early 2011 MacBook Pro and have been having a lot of trouble getting people to buy it at my asking price... So I was thinking of ways I can get it at the price I wanted and thought to use the software on the computer as a selling point.  Well it worked and I have all of adobe CS5 on it along with Microsoft Office for mac and windows 7 as a partiition.  Well I got a buyer who is interested primarily because of the software and I want to sell it but just keep the applications on it.  What can I do to protect myself by getting rid of any personal information?  Do I just go to my key chain and wipe it clean and wipe all my documents?  The licensing for the applications won't be an issue for me so I don't care about that.  I just want anything that was personally mine gone.

    JgorinacR1 wrote:
    What do you mean a 10.7 TimeMachine to a 10.6 system?
    Well your migrating from something correct? A backup like TimeMachine is now all 10.7, so you can't use that to migrate backwards to 10.6 machine.
    I wouldn't mind reinstalling Lion for the guy because mountain lion is comming out next month..  He would upgrade to that with his own apple ID....  Meaning it would no longer be tied to me/use one of my registrations for Lion correct??
    Correct, if he upgrades to 10.8, Apple's records will show that it was him that upgraded the machine to 10.8, thus if the Feds ask Apple, that's the information they will tell them, so all ties to you will be severed.
    However the Feds are not stupid and won't just rely upon one piece of information, but if files are created in your name with your personal information (like if you kept the programs on there) then they  could be coming around asking questions as there is more evidence.
    I know you keep saying to give the discs but I'm pretty sure they are boot legged.
    Well then you certainly don't want to include those as you don't know who you are selling too, it could be the Feds and you'll go to jail for software theft, sued etc., over a few lousy hundred dollars.
    You'd gladly pay $1000 to get out of jail that first night when Bubba is looking at you with love in his eyes.
    As for miscrosoft office, I have the file that allowed me to download it (it was a volume licensed one I guess?) so there was no need for a serial number.
    Are you sure? Microsoft funds some sort of anti-piracy organization that inspects businesses for compliance.
    These applications are giving me $200 on the sale alone so its either $850 or $650...
    Erase/install the machine with 10.7, drop your price and try selling it again with no software, then sell the 10.6.4+ disk seperately or as a paid addition to the 10.7 machine.
    Some people don't want 10.6, others do. Some want both a Early 2011 AND 10.6 as they have a HUGE investment in PPC based software they don't want to give up, so they are looking for a Early 2011 with 10.6 like yours.
    10.6 is the last OS X version on disk, so it's valuable,
    I don't know where your trying to sell it , but try eBay  with the  combination.
    10.7 Early 2011 Mac, just OS X Lion (no iLife)
    x $$$ more for the 10.6 disks

  • Selling Macbook Pro.. Need Advice on how to erase info but leave apps!

    Ok so I should mention i'm not the original owner of this macbook pro but bought it very shortly after they did, and recieved it in mint condition. It is a late 2012 model, the 13 inch retina display one with mountain lion. When the original owner sold it to me, he pretty much just deleted his old account so that I could still use microsoft office, the only extra programs on there. As far as I know these are the only extra apps or programs that the macbook came with, and they are the only ones I want to retain since they would increase the selling price! If it were not for these I would just do a full reset but since that would delete them, I am here trying to figure out what to do and what risks are associated with doing it. The problem is that most of the information I have read online keeps pointing me in the direction of a full reset, meaning the apps would also be erased. I want to learn how to do what he did, but get a better insight on it since I have more information, browser history, data, etc. on the computer at this point than he did. If I have an external HD, I can just back up my music and documents on there right? I could care less about pictures since there are only a few, and the browser history I can just delete also and they would not have access right? So far I have not backed anything up since Time Capsule is still confusing to me. I am not sure if the external drive I have is compatible with mac files and I read that time capsule only works with some air port or something? As you can see I need someone to show me the light so any help or insight is greatly appreciated! Sorry if I did not include enough info on the product, if you need more just let me know

    In additional to the Apple support article Kappy provided, see Thomas Reed's guide:
    The Safe Mac » How to prepare your Mac for sale
    I'm not speaking for Kappy, but reformatting your HDD will erase Microsoft Office, as well as all the contents on the drive.
    You would need the original Office CD and product key if you wished to pass it onto the buyer.
    There's no legal or safe alternative. 

  • IPhone iOS5 - How to turn off ALL notifcations overnight, but leave phone ON?

    Hey all:
    I really like the new notification center and all, but I've found a small issue with how I do things.....  Since my phone is my alarm, I sleep with it right by my head and I don't want buzzes from Facebook or emails or such.  However, I don't want to go to airplane mode so that someone could still call me if there's an emergency.
    I used to do this with iOS4:
    1.  > Settings > Notifications > OFF and
    2.  > Settings > Mail, Contacts, Calendars > Turn Push to OFF, and Fetch to Manual
    With iOS5, I can still do # 2, but #1 really isn't there anymore.  As I understand it, I'd have to go to the screen for a whole mess of individual apps to turn off their notifications.
    Does anyone else have a better way to do this?  Basically, I want the PHONE on and everything else OFF.
    Thanks!!!!!

    Ok,
    There is still no good answer so far,
    i dont want to turn off data roaming, because i am still going to use it, but i just need the phone not to keep pulling data, unless i specify that by opening an app.
    so in iOS4, data roaming on, notification off, and mail on manual, this allowed me to simply click on whatsapp or mail or twitter, and it would pull the data, but as soon as i am out of the app, the data usage is off.
    and this whole in/out of notification center, doesnt really say wheather it is only in the pull down menue, or simply there is no data usage, and i actually tried, and i still recieved notifications while the app was in NOT in notification center,
    as i said,
    dear apple, PLEASE FIX !

Maybe you are looking for