How to Format WD Elements HD for Mac El Capitan

If you're looking to install a fresh copy of macOS or OS X on your Mac, but are having trouble with the formatting process, don't worry - it's easier than you think. In this article, we'll guide you through the steps necessary to format your Western Digital (WD) Elements HD for use with El Capitan.

Before you begin, make sure you have a second Mac and an external hard drive caddy available. This will come in handy if your main Mac is unable to boot up properly during the formatting process. It's also important to back up any data on your hard drive before proceeding, as reformatting will erase all content.

To start, connect your WD Elements HD to your second Mac using an external hard drive caddy or USB port. Open Disk Utility, which can be found in Applications/Utilities or Spotlight search. Select the WD Elements HD from the list of available drives and click on the 'Erase' tab.

From here, you'll have two options: 'Quick Erase' and 'Security Erase.' Quick Erase is a fast but insecure method that will erase all data on the drive instantly. Security Erase, on the other hand, uses Secure Erase technology to completely wipe all data from the drive, making it virtually impossible for anyone to recover.

If you're planning to install macOS or OS X on your WD Elements HD, you'll want to choose Quick Erase. Simply select 'Quick Erase' and follow the prompts to complete the process.

Once you've finished erasing the drive, you can install a fresh copy of El Capitan using an installation disc, USB installer, or Internet Recovery Mode. If you're tech-savvy but need a refresher on how to do this, check out our Quick Tips section below for additional guidance.

Whether you're upgrading from an older version of macOS or OS X, or simply want to start fresh with El Capitan, formatting your WD Elements HD is a straightforward process that can be completed in just a few steps. By following the instructions above and taking necessary precautions to back up your data, you'll be able to enjoy a fast and secure installation experience.

Quick Tips:

* How do I install OS X on my hard drive using an installation disc?

* How do I use a bootable USB installer to install macOS or OS X?

* How do I create a bootable USB Installer?

* Which version of macOS or OS X should I create an installer for?

* Create a bootable USB installer for macOS or OS X

* How do I use Internet Recovery Mode to install macOS or OS X on my hard drive?

* Install macOS using Internet Recovery Mode

* How do I use Disk Utility to reformat my hard drive?

* Format your new hard drive for macOS or OS X

How to format wd elements hd for mac el capitan