So, you’ve decided to download an older version of Mac OS X. There are many reasons that could point you to this radical decision. To begin with, some of your apps may not be working properly (or simply crash) on newer operating systems. Also, you may have noticed your Mac’s performance went down right after the last update. Finally, if you want to run a parallel copy of Mac OS X on a virtual machine, you too will need a working installation file of an older Mac OS X. Further down we’ll explain where to get one and what problems you may face down the road.

The install of El Capitan, at least what I thought was the installation, took a while. A screen shows up with the 10.11 logo stating to install click continue, agree to terms and install OS, I got the option to use disk utility, time machine or recovery or click the install button. As explained here, OS X 10.11 'El Capitan' fails to install because it is too old (the technical reason being that the signing certificate is no longer valid). But you can trick the OS X installer into thinking that it is 2017 and it will happily run without any errors.

A list of all Mac OS X versions

El Capitan may be struggling with your Wi-Fi settings. Apple has released updates to try and improve this problem, so first check for any updates to OS X and see if you can download a solution. Click 'Download'. Click continue and it will download the El Capitan installer. When the installer is downloaded it will automatically launch. As it launches Quit the installer at the first question. That will leave you with a 'Install OS X El Capitan' installer app (about 6 GB) in the Applications folder.

We’ll be repeatedly referring to these Apple OS versions below, so it’s good to know the basic macOS timeline.

STEP 1. Prepare your Mac for installation

Given your Mac isn’t new and is filled with data, you will probably need enough free space on your Mac. This includes not just space for the OS itself but also space for other applications and your user data. One more argument is that the free space on your disk translates into virtual memory so your apps have “fuel” to operate on. The chart below tells you how much free space is needed.

Note, that it is recommended that you install OS on a clean drive. Next, you will need enough disk space available, for example, to create Recovery Partition. Here are some ideas to free up space on your drive:

• Uninstall large unused apps
• Empty Trash Bin and Downloads
• Locate the biggest files on your computer:

Go to Finder > All My Files > Arrange by size
Then you can move your space hoggers onto an external drive or a cloud storage.
If you aren’t comfortable with cleaning the Mac manually, there are some nice automatic “room cleaners”. Our favorite is CleanMyMac as it’s most simple to use of all. It deletes system junk, old broken apps, and the rest of hidden junk on your drive.

Download CleanMyMac for OS 10.4 - 10.8 (free version)

Download CleanMyMac for OS 10.9 (free version)

Download CleanMyMac for OS 10.10 - 10.14 (free version)

STEP 2. Get a copy of Mac OS X download

Normally, it is assumed that updating OS is a one-way road. That’s why going back to a past Apple OS version is problematic. The main challenge is to download the OS installation file itself, because your Mac may already be running a newer version. If you succeed in downloading the OS installation, your next step is to create a bootable USB or DVD and then reinstall the OS on your computer.

How to download older Mac OS X versions via the App Store

If you once had purchased an old version of Mac OS X from the App Store, open it and go to the Purchased tab. There you’ll find all the installers you can download. However, it doesn’t always work that way. The purchased section lists only those operating systems that you had downloaded in the past. But here is the path to check it:

1. Click the App Store icon.
2. Click Purchases in the top menu.
3. Scroll down to find the preferred OS X version.
4. Click Download.

This method allows you to download Mavericks and Yosemite by logging with your Apple ID — only if you previously downloaded them from the Mac App Store.

Without App Store: Download Mac OS version as Apple Developer

If you are signed with an Apple Developer account, you can get access to products that are no longer listed on the App Store. If you desperately need a lower OS X version build, consider creating a new Developer account among other options. The membership cost is $99/year and provides a bunch of perks unavailable to ordinary users.

Nevertheless, keep in mind that if you visit developer.apple.com/downloads, you can only find 10.3-10.6 OS X operating systems there. Newer versions are not available because starting Mac OS X Snow Leopard 10.7, the App Store has become the only source of updating Apple OS versions.

Purchase an older version of Mac operating system

You can purchase a boxed or email version of past Mac OS X directly from Apple. Both will cost you around $20. For the reason of being rather antiquated, Snow Leopard and earlier Apple versions can only be installed from DVD.

Buy a boxed edition of Snow Leopard 10.6
Get an email copy of Lion 10.7
Get an email copy of Mountain Lion 10.8

The email edition comes with a special download code you can use for the Mac App Store. Note, that to install the Lion or Mountain Lion, your Mac needs to be running Snow Leopard so you can install the newer OS on top of it.

How to get macOS El Capitan download

If you are wondering if you can run El Capitan on an older Mac, rejoice as it’s possible too. But before your Mac can run El Capitan it has to be updated to OS X 10.6.8. So, here are main steps you should take:

1. Install Snow Leopard from install DVD.
2. Update to 10.6.8 using Software Update.
3. Download El Capitan here.

“I can’t download an old version of Mac OS X”

If you have a newer Mac, there is no physical option to install Mac OS versions older than your current Mac model. For instance, if your MacBook was released in 2014, don’t expect it to run any OS released prior of that time, because older Apple OS versions simply do not include hardware drivers for your Mac.

But as it often happens, workarounds are possible. There is still a chance to download the installation file if you have an access to a Mac (or virtual machine) running that operating system. For example, to get an installer for Lion, you may ask a friend who has Lion-operated Mac or, once again, set up a virtual machine running Lion. Then you will need to prepare an external drive to download the installation file using OS X Utilities.

After you’ve completed the download, the installer should launch automatically, but you can click Cancel and copy the file you need. Below is the detailed instruction how to do it.

Can't Reinstall Os X El Capitan

STEP 3. Install older OS X onto an external drive

The following method allows you to download Mac OS X Lion, Mountain Lion, and Mavericks.

1. Start your Mac holding down Command + R.
2. Prepare a clean external drive (at least 10 GB of storage).
3. Within OS X Utilities, choose Reinstall OS X.
4. Select external drive as a source.
5. Enter your Apple ID.

Now the OS should start downloading automatically onto the external drive. After the download is complete, your Mac will prompt you to do a restart, but at this point, you should completely shut it down. Now that the installation file is “captured” onto your external drive, you can reinstall the OS, this time running the file on your Mac.

1. Boot your Mac from your standard drive.
2. Connect the external drive.
3. Go to external drive > OS X Install Data.

Locate InstallESD.dmg disk image file — this is the file you need to reinstall Lion OS X. The same steps are valid for Mountain Lion and Mavericks.

How to downgrade a Mac running later macOS versions

If your Mac runs macOS Sierra 10.12 or macOS High Sierra 10.13, it is possible to revert it to the previous system if you are not satisfied with the experience. You can do it either with Time Machine or by creating a bootable USB or external drive.
Instruction to downgrade from macOS Sierra

Instruction to downgrade from macOS High Sierra

Instruction to downgrade from macOS Mojave

Apple Download El Capitan Installer

Instruction to downgrade from macOS Catalina

Before you do it, the best advice is to back your Mac up so your most important files stay intact. In addition to that, it makes sense to clean up your Mac from old system junk files and application leftovers. The easiest way to do it is to run CleanMyMac X on your machine (download it for free here).

Visit your local Apple Store to download older OS X version

If none of the options to get older OS X worked, pay a visit to nearest local Apple Store. They should have image installations going back to OS Leopard and earlier. You can also ask their assistance to create a bootable USB drive with the installation file. So here you are. We hope this article has helped you to download an old version of Mac OS X. Below are a few more links you may find interesting.

Welcome! This article will reveal How to Install Mac OS X El Capitan on VirtualBox on Windows. We analyzed in our previous posts and learned how to work with VirtualBox and Windows. Therefore in this report, you will discover how you can install Mac OS X El Capitan on VirtualBox. Be patient. I will show you the simple steps to install Mac OS X El Capitan on Virtualbox, this can be a complicated process, but I will shorten it for you. You ought to install it easily on VirtualBox. Within this measure, you can download Mac OS X Capitan free.

I am sure the process isn’t easy and works for everyone. You might face these common errors when installing MacOS X On VirtualBox On Windows- Here is a complete guide that will help you fix those errors. Complete Guide To Fix VirtualBox Errors While Installing Mac OS X

Mac OS X El Capitan is one of the best-operating systems such as Mac and Macintosh, Mac OS X EL the major release of Mac OS X. that may support desktop and server operating system for Macintosh systems? It is the successor to OS X Yosemite and focuses on the safety and functionality of it. Mac OS X El Capitan premiered in 2015 as a WWDC keynote.

Related Links:
Download MacOS High Sierra ISO For VMware & Virtualbox
Install MacOS Mojave On VirtualBox On Windows PC
How To Install VMware Tools On Mac OS X EL Capitan: 12 Easy Step Guide
Download Mac OS EL Capitan 10.11 Latest Version: Fresh Links Below
How To Install Mac OS X EL Capitan On VMware On Windows PC: Easy Steps
How to share folders on VirtualBox & Vmware? (Windows-MAC) Step by Step Guide

System Requirements to Install Mac OS X El Capitan on VirtualBox:

• MacBook, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, Mac Mini
• iMac Mini
• Mac Guru
• Xserve

Install Mac OS X El Capitan on VirtualBox

Related Links: Download & Install MacOS Unlocker For Vmware Workstation/Player

Before going to install Mac OS X El Capitan on Virtualbox, you have to download VirtualBox. Following that, you successfully downloaded VirtualBox install the applications on your PC. Remember 1 thing which VirtualBox and VMware Workstation this also is one of the essential tools for Virtualization. Thus, you cannot run both of these machines at the same. Otherwise you’ll face unique types of a problem during installation. And you can download the requirement in the below link.

Download Mac OS X El Capitan ISO (Google Drive)

Extract Image File:

After you downloaded the image file, you will need to extract that because WinRAR compresses that. To Extract that from compress, you require WinRAR or even 7Zip. Always compress your essential documents with these two excellent tools because it will offer your file from Viruses. After that, set up one of these tools and only Right Click and select Extract Here.

Note: Extract the Mac OS El Capitan compressed file with 7Zip, because the Mac OS ISO file is compacted by 7Zip.

Install VirtualBox and make a new Virtual Machine

It’s possible to download VirtualBox from the specified link. Following that, the downloading is complete. The setup process is straightforward, now open VirtualBox setup and click on Next, again Next and eventually Finish the setup.

1. After that, you successfully installed VirtualBox on your PC currently. In this step, VirtualBox and Click on Create New can use the dictionary key CTRL+N.

2. Within this step, you will need to provide a Name and operating platform. Please pick a descriptive name for your new virtual machine and select the type of operating system you would like to put in onto it. The title you opt for will be utilized throughout VirtualBox to identify this particular system. After you type the name of a working system, it will appear there the Sort, Version, and finally click Next.

3. After that, you clicked on the different upcoming windows will come, so that you have to choose the amount of Memory (RAM) for Virtual machines. At least select two GB of RAM 4096 and click Next.

4. Inside this step, you want to select your hard disk kind. So I advise that you choose to use an existing virtual hard disk and click on the folder.

5. Then, you clicked on the folder now in here, select the image file of Mac OS X El Capitan and click on the “Open” button.

Install Mac Os El Capitan

6. Within this step, you’re finished with the settings. Now is the time to make a digital machine to Mac OS X El Capitan. Consequently, you have to press on Create.

Edit created the virtual machine.

After that, you have successfully created the virtual machine. Today, you need some more configurations for the virtual machine. Therefore, run on the VirtualBox and click on Settings, and then you will have to finish the settings for Mac OS X El Capitan. To have better performance of the installation.

7. Within this step, on the left click click on the”System” and click the Motherboard, select the base memory 5134 and uncheck the Floppy disk. Therefore, click on the Processor tab and increase the chip around 4.

8. In this measure, select the Screen setting and increase the Video Memory 128 MB, also on Network Enable network adapter and click OK.

9. Now visit USB and select USB 3.0 (xHCI) Controller and click OK.

Add the codes to VirtualBox.

It’s straightforward to copy and paste the codes to VirtualBox. Therefore, you will need some simple steps to do that open Comment prompt/CMD and Run As Administrator, subsequently Replace the Virtual machine Title using VirtualBox codes also. And eventually, you will need to copy-paste every code step by step, only hitting enter.

Codes for Virtualbox 5.0.x

Now Run CMD As Administrator. So you will need to copy and paste the codes CMD, one by one just by pressing enter, you can have the Codes from over, if you are utilizing Virtualbox 5.0 so may copy the code, so if you are using Virtualbox 4.0.0, you can have that. Therefore, if you are using the newest version of Virtualbox, such as the 6.0 variation, you will need to copy the Codes for Virtualbox 5.0.x.

Now Begin a clean installation of Mac OS X El Capitan.

1. Now You’re entirely done with the settings of Mac OS X EL on VirtualBox. Run VirtualBox, then click the Start button of VirtualBox to execute the setup.

2. Then, you start the setup. You will find a black window full of code. Wait a second. It will finish.

3. Within this step, select your Language, then click Proceed, or can default also.

4. Inside this step, choose your keyboard layout and click Continue. Then in case you wish to attract changes, you may click Display All also.

5. In this step, you will need to pick the Transfer Information to This Mac system. Therefore, you have three options. I suggest to choose Don’t Transfer any info Today and click on Continue.

6. Within this step, you have to choose your location providers and click the Continue button and choose Do not Use.

7. Inside this step, you need to provide your Apple or iCloud account. Therefore, when you have an Apple account, you can enter that. If you don’t have to click on Don’t Signal in, click on Continue and choose Jump.

8. Within this step of permit and agreement, just click Continue and click Agree.

Create a Computer Account

9. Here, you will need to make a computer account. Therefore, you must give Full title, Account Name, Password. Then Tip eventually click Continue. And Await a second to complete.

10. In this step, select your time zone to decide on a time zone, then click on the map near where you are and pick a city from the nearest menu. Click Continue.

11. Within this measure, of Diagnostics & Usage do nothing click Continue.

12. Within this measure, it will Be Setting your Mac wait for a few seconds.

13. Now you’re successfully done with the setup of the Mac OS X El Capitan working program on VirtualBox. After this, you may use this on Virtualbox as if you are using this operating system on your Mac computer.

14. How to share folders on VirtualBox & Vmware? (Windows-MAC) Step by Step Guide

Conclusion: How to install Mac OS X El Capitan on VirtualBox on Windows

That’s about How to install Mac OS X El Capitan on VirtualBox on Windows. If you face any difficulty in this process of: How to install Mac OS X El Capitan on VirtualBox, feel free to comment below. We want your suggestion and shortcuts if you have any. Don’t forget to subscribe to our website through your email address and wait for our most recent posts.

Related links: Install MacOS Mojave On VMware On Windows PC
How to share folders on VirtualBox & Vmware? (Windows-MAC) Step by Step Guide

Incoming Links:

How to install Mac OS X El Capitan on VirtualBox on Windows, install Mac OS X El Capitan on VirtualBox, install Mac OS X El Capitan on VirtualBox on Windows, install Mac OS X El Capitan on Windows, Mac OS X El Capitan on VirtualBox