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Deleted systems folder by mistake!

Hi, I’m a bit of an idiot. I was getting my iMac (late 2017) ready to sell (bought a MacBook) and deleted the systems folder by mistake. It was displaying a folder with a question mark. I restarted holding down control R and a world/internet symbol appeared. It tried to contact to my WiFi however it requires the password and won’t let me enter it...won’t let me type anything. I shouldn’t be allowed near technology. Can someone please help me? I’ve been at it for hours!

iMac Pro

Posted on Mar 20, 2020 8:15 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Mar 20, 2020 8:50 PM

You need to wipe the drive and install macOS:


Internet/Network Recovery of El Capitan or Later on a Clean Disk


     If possible back up your files before proceeding.


  1. Restart the computer. Immediately, at or before the chime, hold down the (Command-Option-Shift-R) keys until a globe appears.
  2. The Utility Menu will appear in from 5-20 minutes. Be patient.
  3. Select Disk Utility and click on the Continue button.
  4. When Disk Utility loads select the target drive (out-dented entry w/type and size) from the side list.
  5. Click on the Erase button in Disk Utility's toolbar. A panel will drop down.
  6. Set the partition scheme to GUID.
  7. Set the Format type to APFS (SSDs, only if installing Mojave or Catalina ) or Mac OS Extended, (Journaled.)
  8. Click on the Apply button, then click on the Done button when it activates.
  9. Quit Disk Utility and return to the Utility Menu.
  10. Select Install OS X and click on the Continue button.


This should install the version of macOS originally installed when new from the factory. When the OS starts up simply Quit the installation or shutdown the computer. This configures it as required by Apple for a computer being sold. You will need an Internet connection using Wi-Fi or Ethernet. The latter is preferable.

6 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Mar 20, 2020 8:50 PM in response to RedRedWine79

You need to wipe the drive and install macOS:


Internet/Network Recovery of El Capitan or Later on a Clean Disk


     If possible back up your files before proceeding.


  1. Restart the computer. Immediately, at or before the chime, hold down the (Command-Option-Shift-R) keys until a globe appears.
  2. The Utility Menu will appear in from 5-20 minutes. Be patient.
  3. Select Disk Utility and click on the Continue button.
  4. When Disk Utility loads select the target drive (out-dented entry w/type and size) from the side list.
  5. Click on the Erase button in Disk Utility's toolbar. A panel will drop down.
  6. Set the partition scheme to GUID.
  7. Set the Format type to APFS (SSDs, only if installing Mojave or Catalina ) or Mac OS Extended, (Journaled.)
  8. Click on the Apply button, then click on the Done button when it activates.
  9. Quit Disk Utility and return to the Utility Menu.
  10. Select Install OS X and click on the Continue button.


This should install the version of macOS originally installed when new from the factory. When the OS starts up simply Quit the installation or shutdown the computer. This configures it as required by Apple for a computer being sold. You will need an Internet connection using Wi-Fi or Ethernet. The latter is preferable.

Deleted systems folder by mistake!

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