Reinstalling OSX on secondhand MacBook Pro

patch

Hi. I bought a 2011 MacBook Pro online which came with no install disks.
I’d like to do a fresh install.
I understand from googling that I’d ideally have the Install disk but am hopeful that I can make a usb disk to install:
http://osxdaily.com/2017/09/27/create-macos-high-sierra-bootable-installer-usb/
Does that look feasible to you guys?
Thanks.

patch

OSI wrote: »

What version is on there currently? You should just be able to download the installer from the store and do a fresh install.

Sierra currently.
There is an option to update to to high sierra, which is downloading currently.
Is there an option to download and create a usb installer for a ‘fresh’ install?

verycool

patch wrote: »

Sierra currently.
There is an option to update to to high sierra, which is downloading currently.
Is there an option to download and create a usb installer for a ‘fresh’ install?

Hopefully this guide helps!


https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201372

patch

verycool wrote: »

Hopefully this guide helps!


https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201372

That looks promising. I’ve always used a PC so very slightly out of my depth...

_ptashek_

You can perform a MacOS (it's not called OS X anymore) system reset on any Mac:
https://youtu.be/CjV7QnLAwjo

Sad Professor

Mac OS keeps a recovery partition that you can boot from and download the OS in the event that you need to re-install. I don't think anyone really uses discs or bootable USB keys anymore. But I guess they are handy to have in case the hard drive fails completely and you want to replace it yourself.

patch

Sad Professor wrote: »

Mac OS keeps a recovery partition that you can boot from and download the OS in the event that you need to re-install. I don't think anyone really uses discs or bootable USB keys anymore. But I guess they are handy to have in case the hard drive fails completely and you want to replace it yourself.

I’ll almost certainly pick up an ssd for it so might work out handy in that instance...