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How to Create an OS X El Capitan Install Disk on a Flash Drive

Through this guide you will learn how to create a bootable OS X install disk using the DiskMaker X Application. You will also download the OS X El Capitan Installer from Apple's website. The installer you create can be used to install OS X...
Part 1 of 3:

Preparing the Software

  1. How to Create an OS X El Capitan Install Disk on a Flash Drive Picture 1How to Create an OS X El Capitan Install Disk on a Flash Drive Picture 1
    Download a program, such as DiskMaker X, which allows you to make a bootable OS X disk. Install it on your computer.
  2. How to Create an OS X El Capitan Install Disk on a Flash Drive Picture 2How to Create an OS X El Capitan Install Disk on a Flash Drive Picture 2
    Go to https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT206886
  3. How to Create an OS X El Capitan Install Disk on a Flash Drive Picture 3How to Create an OS X El Capitan Install Disk on a Flash Drive Picture 3
    Click on Download OS X El Capitan. A file named InstallMacOSX.dmg will download.
  4. How to Create an OS X El Capitan Install Disk on a Flash Drive Picture 4How to Create an OS X El Capitan Install Disk on a Flash Drive Picture 4
    After it has downloaded, open the .dmg file and then open the InstallMacOSX.pkg file.
  5. How to Create an OS X El Capitan Install Disk on a Flash Drive Picture 5How to Create an OS X El Capitan Install Disk on a Flash Drive Picture 5
    How to Create an OS X El Capitan Install Disk on a Flash Drive Picture 6How to Create an OS X El Capitan Install Disk on a Flash Drive Picture 6
    How to Create an OS X El Capitan Install Disk on a Flash Drive Picture 7How to Create an OS X El Capitan Install Disk on a Flash Drive Picture 7
    From here, follow the onscreen instructions to install the installer.
  6. How to Create an OS X El Capitan Install Disk on a Flash Drive Picture 8How to Create an OS X El Capitan Install Disk on a Flash Drive Picture 8
    After installation, the installer named "Install OS X El Capitan" will be in the Applications folder.
Part 2 of 3:

Creating the Disk on the Flash Drive

  1. How to Create an OS X El Capitan Install Disk on a Flash Drive Picture 9How to Create an OS X El Capitan Install Disk on a Flash Drive Picture 9
    Plug your 8 GB flash drive into one of the USB ports on your Mac.
  2. How to Create an OS X El Capitan Install Disk on a Flash Drive Picture 10How to Create an OS X El Capitan Install Disk on a Flash Drive Picture 10
    Open DiskMaker X or your chosen equivalent program.
    1. This can be done by going to Launchpad and clicking the app icon.
    2. Or by pressing ⌘ Cmd and the space bar key on the keyboard and typing DiskMaker X.
  3. How to Create an OS X El Capitan Install Disk on a Flash Drive Picture 11How to Create an OS X El Capitan Install Disk on a Flash Drive Picture 11
    Select the 'El Capitan (10.11)' option when asked what type of installer you plan to make.
    1. It will say it found the OS X installer in the '/Applications' folder. Click the 'Use this copy" option.
    2. Select 'An 8 GB USB thumb drive' when asked what kind of disk you will want to use.
  4. How to Create an OS X El Capitan Install Disk on a Flash Drive Picture 12How to Create an OS X El Capitan Install Disk on a Flash Drive Picture 12
    Select the name of the drive you wish to use (in this guide it is named 'El Capitan Installer').
  5. How to Create an OS X El Capitan Install Disk on a Flash Drive Picture 13How to Create an OS X El Capitan Install Disk on a Flash Drive Picture 13
    Wait for the warning that the content on the disk will be erased.
    1. You must select 'Erase then create disk' to continue the creation of the install drive.
  6. How to Create an OS X El Capitan Install Disk on a Flash Drive Picture 14How to Create an OS X El Capitan Install Disk on a Flash Drive Picture 14
    Click "Continue".
    1. Enter administrator password and click "Ok."
  7. How to Create an OS X El Capitan Install Disk on a Flash Drive Picture 15How to Create an OS X El Capitan Install Disk on a Flash Drive Picture 15
    Wait for the creation. The drive is now being created and will take some time depending on the speed of your computer (about 20 minutes).
    1. Do not remove the flash drive during this process.
    2. Do not let the computer shutdown during this process.
Part 3 of 3:

Finishing Up and Using Your Disk

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    Once the installation is complete, quit the installer.
  2. How to Create an OS X El Capitan Install Disk on a Flash Drive Picture 17How to Create an OS X El Capitan Install Disk on a Flash Drive Picture 17
    Make sure to eject the disk before you remove it from the computer.
    1. To do this right click on the drive and select 'Eject," or click and hold on the drive and drag to the trash icon to eject, or select the disk on the desktop or in the Finder window and press the ⌘ Cmd+E keys on the keyboard.
  3. How to Create an OS X El Capitan Install Disk on a Flash Drive Picture 18How to Create an OS X El Capitan Install Disk on a Flash Drive Picture 18
    Plug your drive into any eligible Mac to install El Capitan.
    1. To do this, shut down the mac you want to install El Capitan onto.
    2. Plug the Flash Drive into the computer.
    3. Reboot by pressing the power button and holding down the ⌥ Option key while it starts up.
    4. Follow the onscreen instructions to install OS X El Capitan.
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