A bootable installer is a special type of media that can be used to reinstall operating system or fix system issues that never be solved in usual way. When there is something with your Mac, or you urgently need to upgrade your Mac to the latest version of macOS, a bootable installer could be a great help.
This tutorial tells you how to easily create a bootable installer for macOS on both Windows and Mac.
Before getting started, you should know there is only two types of installation media for macOS. One is the official macOS installation app, which is only available from Mac App Store. The other is macOS dmg file, which is made by third-party developers or system administrators.
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Part 1. Create a Bootable Installer for macOS on Mac
- Install the macOS installer. Double-click the downloaded file to open a window showing its contents. Then double-click the file within, named InstallMacOSX.pkg. Follow the onscreen instructions, which will guide you through the steps necessary to install. Begin installation.
- Because of this, I recommend creating your own bootable El Capitan (OS X 10.11) installer drive on an external hard drive or USB thumb drive. If you need to install El Capitan on multiple Macs.
macOS is the native operating system for all Mac computers. And Apple provides an official tool to create bootable USB installer from macOS installation app with the help of Terminal command, which is totally free. In addition, it is also possible to make a bootable macOS installer from DMG file. We will show examples for both tactics.
Create a Bootable Installer for macOS with Official App
This is the most reliable way to make bootable macOS installer on Mac as it is backed by Apple. It is completely free and no need to download additional software for this purpose.
First, download macOS from Mac App Store. Just launch App Store app on your Mac and search for the macOS name. However, only the most recent versions are available for download, including Big Sur, Catalina, Mojave and High Sierra. After that, click the Get button (Big Sur as example) to download the installation app on your Mac.
The downloading process will take more than 15 minutes as the file size is pretty big (Over 8GB). When it is completed, you will see a Install macOS [version name]
app in Application folder.
Now, insert an USB drive into Mac. If everything goes fine, you will see the drive name in left sidebar of Finder app. Then, open Terminal app and type the following command to find the actual volume name of USB drive, which will be used in next step: ls /Volumes/
In above example, the volume name of my USB drive is Big Sur
.
Finally, copy one of the following commands to Terminal and change the volume name. Click Enter to start creating a bootable installer for macOS.
Big Sur: sudo /Applications/Install macOS Big Sur.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/Big Sur
Catalina: sudo /Applications/Install macOS Catalina.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/Big Sur
Mojave: sudo /Applications/Install macOS Mojave.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/Big Sur
High Sierra: sudo /Applications/Install macOS High Sierra.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/Big Sur
You have to wait at least 10 minutes for the above task to be finished. After that, you can use the bootable USB installer for macOS reinstallation, downgrade or upgrade.
Create a Bootable Installer for macOS without Terminal
If you are scared of using text commands in Terminal, please don't worry. There are still two free GUI app available for this task. One is MDS and the other is Disk Marker X. We will go with MDS first.
MDS is popular Mac deploying tool developed by Twocanoes. It can help you set up Mac, download macOS, create bootable macOS installer, install macOS and configure macOS in just a few seconds. Most importantly, it is built upon a modern graphics user interface, making it super easy to use.
First, download MDS from this link and install the app on your Mac. Once loaded, navigate the left sidebar and find go to Download macOS, where you can download the desired macOS. Currently available versions are Big Sur, Catalina, Mojave and High Serria.
After download, please move to Create macOS Installer section. Please select the macOS installer you just downloaded and a target USB drive. Finally, click the Create button to begin making a bootable USB installer for macOS.
Disk Marker X is another free app with the sole purpose for creating a bootable macOS disk. It has been available since Mac OS X Lion (10.7) so it is very popular and reputable solution. The only drawback is that it does not support macOS Big Sur. You can create bootable installer from the following OS candidates.:
- macOS Catalina (10.15)
- macOSMojave (10.14)
- macOSHigh Sierra (10.13)
- macOSSierra (10.12)
- OS X EI Capitan (10.11)
- OS X Yosemite (10.10)
- OS X Mavericks (10.9)
- OS X Mountain Lion (10.8)
- OS X Lion (10.7)
The steps are also quite simple. First, download a macOS installation app and open Disk Maker X. Next, select the location of macOS install app and pick up the drive name. Confirm the operation as it will erase the whole disk. Finally, click Erase then create the disk button to start the process.
Create a Bootable Installer for macOS from DMG File
In case, you are unable to download the official macOS installation app, an alternative choice is to make a bootable installer from macOS dmg file, where you can find them on this website or other places on Internet. The software to be used is called UUByte DMG Editor, which works on both Windows and macOS platforms. The details steps will be shown in next section.
Part 2. Create a Bootable Installer for macOS on Windows 10/8/7
Windows, even Windows 10 does not add support for dealing with macOS installation app, which is working on macOS only. If you are on a Windows computer and search for a way to create bootable installer for macOS, the only option is by using macOS DMG file.
So in the coming section, we will demonstrate on how to create a bootable installer for macOS from dmg file on a Windows 10 PC. The steps are the same on Windows 8 and Windows 7. The software we are going to use is UUByte DMG Editor, a cross-platform app that runs well on Windows and Mac.
Step 1: Download a macOS DMG file. These are download links of macOS DMG file, such as Big Sur, Catalina, Mojave, High Sierra, and EI Capitan. For old Mac OS X versions, please download it from Internet.
Step 2: Install DMG Editor on a Windows computer and open it after installation. Now, plug a USB disk into Windows and click Burn button from the main screen. Make sure eject other USB storage devices at the same time.
Step 3: Click the Browse button to locate the macOS dmg file you have downloaded and select the USB drive name in below column.
Step 4: Finally, click the Start button to create a bootable installer for macOS on Windows 10.
Step 5: For a fast USB 3.0 drive, you need to only wait a couple of minutes. For slow USB 2.0 drive, you should wait more than 20 minutes. Please be noted! You will see a notice on screen when the burning process is completed.
There are few tools that are capable of creating macOS bootable USB on a Windows machine. For this task, UUByte DMG Editor is good to go!
Part 3: Install macOS on Mac from Bootable Installer
Eject the USB from Windows 10 computer and plug it into your Mac. Reboot your Mac and keep pressing the Option key at startup to bring up the boot manager. Pick up the drive name and boot up from external USB. After that, follow the screen prompt to start installing macOS from USB on target Mac.
Closing Words
The above is a complete tutorial for creating a bootable installer for macOS on Windows and Mac. It covers all the details and being verified on four different computers (MacBook Pro, iMac, Windows 10 PC and Windows 7 Laptop). Please go ahead and pick up the best method for you.
Any individual on the planet who knows anything about operating systems has an idea about Apple’s extraordinary macOS. What’s more, the significance is such that most of us can’t just get over it. No wonder, we are here to looking forward to downloading Mac OS X El Capitan 10.11 ISO and DMG files.
Well, I know you’ve been looking for a while. But don’t worry. Here you will find it all.
This article is perfect for anyone who’s looking for Mac OS X El Capitan ISO or DMG files. Mac OS X El Capitan features. Demo video. System requirements. Technical details or the process to install Mac OS X El Capitan ISO on their PC.
Hopefully, this article will help you. So, buckle up and read on now.
Why is Mac OS X El Capitan ISO Still Popular and Relevant?
It’s been over five years since the OS X El Capitan update was rolled out by Apple. Bringing about a series of useful changes and updates, Apple surely made a great impact on the computer market. But, it’s been five years, right?
A number of updates have come and gone after that. Then why do people still keep running after the Mac OS X El Capitan ISO and DMG files?
Why do they still want to use it?
The major reasons are the habit and compatibility.
A large number of MacBook and Mac users are still using old computers. Indeed, they do the work. They may still be performing at great pace, but are they present ready? Can they team up well with the latest features and technologies?
Not really. And even when an old MacBook manages to run the latest macOS, i.e., macOS Big Sur, it may not perform optimally after the update.
A major reason for people to avoid switching to Big Sur and picking Mac OS X El Capitan ISO or Mac OS X 10.12 Sierra ISO.
Moreover, Mac OS X El Capitan also had some great features, that you can find in the next section.
Mac OS X 10.11 El Capitan Features
One of the first most important things that concern users about a software or/and operating system that they are about to use is its features.
And as you are here for macOS X El Capitan, we have your back. In this section you will get to read about the top Mac OS X El Capitan features.
- Cleaner Windows. A computer desktop is like a real desktop: When you’re busy, it can turn into a scattered mess. …
- Pin Sites In Safari. …
- Splitscreen on the Desktop. …
- Richer Notes. …
- Mute Noisy Tabs in Safari. …
- Metal forMac. …
- Spotlight Speaks Plain English. …
- Swiping Gestures In Mail.
Cool, right? Well, that’s not even it. There’s a bunch of few more useful Mac OS X El Capitan features that we will share at the end of this article. Till then, let’s learn about the system requirements that your PC needs to fulfill in order to run OS X el capitan.
Mac OS X El Capitan 10.11 ISO/DMG System Requirements
Another one of the most important things that every person who’s going to download and use an operating system must find out about is the system requirements for installing the OS.
- 2 GB of RAM
- 8 GB of storage space
- Intel-based Mac with a fast enough processor
So, does your PC satisfy these requirements? Well, I hope it does, because you are very close to the download files.
Mac OS X El Capitan 10.11 DMG and ISO File Technical Details
So you don’t have to face any confusions while downloading and selecting the files after downloading, we are mentioning the technical details for the file. Here you will learn about the names of the files that we are offering here. Read on and find out.
- Technical name of macOS El Capitan ISO file: macOS_10.11_el_capitan.iso
- Technical name of macOS El Capitan DMG file: macOS_10.7_el_capitan.dmg
Sorted? Well, let’s move to the downloads section now.
Mac OS X El Capitan 10.11 ISO and DMG Download Free
So, finally we are here. In the section that you’ve all been waiting for. So, let’s not waste any more time and just dive straight into the pool of Mac OS X El Capitan ISO and DMG download files that you’ve been waiting for.
- Mac OS X 10.11 El Capitan ISO: [Click to Download]
- Also Check: Mac OS X Lion10.7 ISO
- Mac OS X 10.7 El Capitan DMG: [Click to Download]
Found what you wanted? We are glad to be of help. And we hope you really enjoy using the OS (or can fulfill whatever other purpose you had behind downloading Mac OS X El Capitan ISO).
Os 10.11 El Capitan Download
Mac OS X El Capitan ISO and DMG Installation Process
Downloaded successfully? Well, even if it’s in progress, how would it harm to find out the ultimate process? Yes, we are talking about the installation process for mac os x el capitan ISO and DMG files’ installation process.
Macos 10.11 Installer Download
So, as the files download, read below to have an idea about how the download process commences and finishes.
For ISO Files:
- Download the 7-Zip Extractor
- Downloading the Windows ISO files.
- Unzip and extract these ISO files
- Burn the extracted files onto a bootable device (generally a DVD) which you can use for installation
For DMG Files
- Double click the DMG to make its content available (name will show up in the Finder sidebar), usually a window opens showing the content as well.
- Drag the application from the DMG window into /Applications to install (may need an administrator password)
- Wait for the copy process to finish.
- Initiate the Installation process.
Mac Os 10.11 Download
Easily understandable? Perfect. Let’s move ahead to have a look at the Mac OS X El Capitan’s demo video.
Alternative Method to Install Mac OS X El Capitan ISO
Tried installing Mac OS X El Capitan ISO from the above method, but it didn’t work? Don’t worry. We have another one for you.
- Download the macOS X El Capitan ISO file and don’t let it run automatically.
- Make a copy of the El Capitan ISO (10.11) on a disk or flash drive. Make sure the drive has enough capacity. The driver will require over 5 GB of empty space. (You can also use Dishmaker for this process).
- Put the flash drive into your mac’s USB port and turn the mac on.
- Immediately hold down the option key. You will see the screen where you can choose a startup disk
- Click on the flash drive and continue.
- A minimal work screen will pop up. From this screen click Disk Utility.
- Choose the flash drive’s name, click partition on the right side.
- Go to the drop-down saying “Current” and change it to the number of partition drives that you want to create.
- This will unlock the options button at the bottom.
- Now click options and choose the radio button for GUID.
- At this point, click OK.
- Click Apply.
Once you have followed the above steps, your mac OS X El Capitan ISO will be ready for installation. Just move ahead and enjoy.
macOS X El Capitan 10.11 Demo Video
As all of you may not have come here for downloading mac os x el capitan iso and installing it on your pc, we understand your interests that lie in getting a sneak peak inside the mac os x 10.11 to find out how it used to look.
Mac Os 10.11 Installer
Well, nothing to worry as we have that information too. All you need to do is watch and learn.
Fantastic, right? Well, let’s move to the last section of this article — key features of mac os x el capitan.
Mac OS X El Capitan Top Features
As promised above, here are the key features of mac os x el capitan. REad through and you’ll fall in love.
- Improved multi-window management
- Revamped Notes app
- Metal graphics technology
- Pinned Sites and Tab Mute for Safari
Sounds great, right? Well, try using and you will know the real power.
Anyway, this was all about mac os x el capitan iso and dmg files. Hopefully, this was helpful. Stay in touch for more such content.