To format a MacBook and perform a clean installation of the operating system, you can follow these steps:

Note: Formatting your MacBook will erase all data on the internal drive. Make sure to back up your important files and data before proceeding.

1. Backup Your Data: Ensure that you have backed up all your important files, documents, and media to an external storage device or cloud service.

2. Restart Your MacBook: Go to the Apple menu and select “Restart” to restart your MacBook.

3. Enter Recovery Mode: As your MacBook restarts, hold down the Command (⌘) and R keys simultaneously until the Apple logo or a spinning globe appears. This will boot your MacBook into Recovery Mode.

4. Choose Disk Utility: In Recovery Mode, you will see a window with different options. Select “Disk Utility” and click Continue.

5. Erase the Hard Drive: In Disk Utility, select your MacBook’s internal drive (usually labeled “Macintosh HD” or similar) from the left sidebar. Then, click on the “Erase” button at the top of the window. Choose a format (such as APFS or Mac OS Extended) and provide a name for the new drive. Click “Erase” to begin the formatting process. This will erase all data on the internal drive.

6. Quit Disk Utility: After the formatting process is complete, you can quit Disk Utility by selecting “Disk Utility” from the menu bar and choosing “Quit Disk Utility.”

7. Reinstall macOS: In Recovery Mode, you will see the option to “Reinstall macOS” or “Reinstall OS X.” Select this option and follow the on-screen instructions to reinstall the operating system on your MacBook. This will download and install a fresh copy of macOS onto the newly formatted drive.

8. Follow the Setup Process: Once the installation is complete, your MacBook will restart. Follow the on-screen instructions to set up your MacBook, including creating a user account, signing in with your Apple ID, and configuring your preferences.

9. Restore Your Data: After the initial setup, you can restore your backed-up data by transferring files from your external storage device or cloud service.

By following these steps, you can format your MacBook and perform a clean installation of the operating system, ensuring a fresh start with a blank drive. Remember to exercise caution when formatting your MacBook and ensure you have backed up your important data beforehand.