Clean install of Monterey

[MontyMo]

Hello
Tomorrow I will be installing Monterey. I would like to erase my HD and do a clean install.
Is it this simple:

1. Start the installer
2. When the computer restarts hold down the option key
3. Select Disk utility
4. Erase Macintosh HD
5. Close the Disk utility
6. Complete install

THanks
Monty

 

[chscag]

Welcome to our forums.

If you're referring to doing a clean install of Monterey on your M1 MacBook Air, the procedure is different from that of an Intel Mac.

There are various YouTube videos which show how to do it that you can watch.

This particular one below shows how to reset your M1 so that you can do a clean install:

Unless you have a specific reason for doing a clean install, it might be best to press on with a regular install of Monterey.

 

[MontyMo]

Thank you very much @chscag
You may be correct... "press on" with a regular install
Monty

 

[Slydude]

I had a response almost done when I read Charlie's answer. Trust me; my answer was brilliant. but his was better.

In all seriousness, make sure you have a good backup of your entire system. You'd be surprised how often someone has wanted to return to a previous OS and has difficulty because they don't have a full backup.

 

[DesMoinesBoy]

There might be somethings that the upgrade depends on what you have in your computer now. I once poached my pc and ended up with the imac instead doing a clean install. It now is a boat anchor somewhere. And one bit of advice, hold off doing anything for a few days.

there will be the stampede to download it and it will take a long time for that to work. then it will trickled down to not that big of a herd and maybe Apple and developers will find out people have complaints that need to be fix. then do your work.

for me, I am going to try to wait . I still need to find out with my intel processor and all, what will the new system do for me. I already know what it won't . I need to find out the rest.

 

[Rod]

Wait and backup. I think they are the two important points here.
I was an early adopter of Big Sur and ran into all sorts of issues.
It really is better to: a. Wait until the initial rush is over, the download will be faster and less likely to be interrupted.
b. Make a full backup. Time Machine will do but a clone would be good in addition. You can get free, fully functional, 30 day, obligation free downloads of Carbon Copy Cloner (CCC) from Bombich or SuperDuper from Shirt Pocket.

 

[lclev]

WAIT and backup! Just as others have advised. I tend to leap before I look sometimes and I got bit when I upgraded to Big Sur right out the gate. So for Monterey I will wait until OS 12.1 is released.

Lisa

 

[chscag]

WAIT and backup! Just as others have advised. I tend to leap before I look sometimes and I got bit when I upgraded to Big Sur right out the gate. So for Monterey I will wait until OS 12.1 is released.

LOL, not on that new 14" MacBook Pro! It comes preinstalled with 12.0.

 

[lclev]

I am aware - but 12.01 is already in the pipeline! By the time I get it 12.1 might be available.

Lisa

 

[Pasquanel]

I downloaded and installed Monterey 12.0.1 last night, it went as smooth as maple syrup! No issues at all!
I had downloaded Big Sur and personally found it wanting, issues with my printer, scanner and various other minor inconveniences.
I back up religiously everyday and could have gone back to Big Sur if needed. I learned the hard way years ago how important backing up is!

 

[lclev]

12.13GB!!!! That is the size of the download file for Monterey. Wow... I mean like WOW!!! I am glad I am at work and have superfast internet. Going to try it now on my 13" 2020 MBP - Since it is 12.01 and I have backed up.

Lisa

 

[IWT]

Good luck, Lisa

Ian

 

[lclev]

All done. Went smoothly - so far.

Lisa

 

[IWT]

All done. Went smoothly - so far.

Lisa

Ian

 

[lclev]

I actually think Monterey is faster than Big Sur. Moving between apps, loading apps like Premiere Pro - faster. Nice.

Lisa

 

[Rod]

Your are using an M1 Lisa, right? Congrats to both of you for a successful upgrade.

 

[lclev]

No I did it on my 13" 2020 Intel MBP. My M1max is somewhere in China waiting on UPS to fix their "equipment issues"!

FWIW: My 13" MBP has been an awesome laptop. She just isn't beefy enough for heavy video work which I would like to have as an option at home so I don't have to go into work. She is okay for small projects but I work a lot with HD and some 4K now and that is more than the i7/32gb can handle. She will get very hot - and not in a good way!!

Lisa

 

[Pasquanel]

Yes I'm on a Mac mini M1, so far very happy with it.

 

[Rod]

No I did it on my 13" 2020 Intel MBP. My M1max is somewhere in China waiting on UPS to fix their "equipment issues"!

FWIW: My 13" MBP has been an awesome laptop. She just isn't beefy enough for heavy video work which I would like to have as an option at home so I don't have to go into work. She is okay for small projects but I work a lot with HD and some 4K now and that is more than the i7/32gb can handle. She will get very hot - and not in a good way!!

Lisa

Well that's good news that it all went well on your Intel Mac. I think we all may be waiting on arrivals of the new models, especially in Australia. I'm hoping to buy the new M1 14" MBP on return to Australia January 2022. In the meantime I note that the 13" 2015 MBP is last on the compatibility list to upgrade to Monterey so I figured I may as well give it a shot.
Given it's recent (same as Jake) un prompted shutdowns it cant really hurt. This too has been a fantastic device handling everything I've thrown at it over the years. I have a standby to see me through if things go pie shaped but I have a TM Backup, a bootable USB installer for Big Sur and a CCC clone that is bootable so I should be able to recover. Just updating BS to 11.6.1 at the moment and Safari to 15.1 then I'll update my backups and give it a shot.

 

[jpdemers]

Download is quick if you're wired to your router - it could be a slog over WiFi.
Installed on my MB Air (Intel) and Mini (M1) with no problems whatsoever.
The build being distributed (12.0.1) is identical to the beta that's been out for weeks now, so glitches should be rare.