How do I reset a used MacBook with an encrypted drive?

evilnbr wrote:

Complete fail. Harddrive is encrypted and can NOT get past anything without beng able to log into the machine with the paerso's password. He was the only account on the macbook, and you can not even change users.

It depends on the exact model of the laptop. For any non-USB-C Mac, you should be able to just erase the whole physical internal drive....no need for any password. If it is a 2016-2017 Mac with USB-C ports with the T1 chip, then you should be able to do the same.

If it is a 2018+ model with the T2 security chip or M-series model, then there is nothing you can unless a DFU Firmware Restore is able to reset the Mac's security settings and internal SSD.

If the Mac has a firmware password lock enabled or Activation Lock, then there is absolutely nothing you can do about it.

Comply with as much of What to do before you sell, give away, trade in, or recycle your Mac - Apple Support as you are able.

You may be out of luck. Can you determine the exact model MacBook?

Identify your MacBook model - Apple Support

Early models had removable hard drives, which you might as well throw away. More recent ones don't, and you might as well throw away the entire Mac.

Perhaps you should reconsider buying a used Mac that had not been properly prepared for sale by its owner before he dropped dead?

Just a thought.