We will start by showing step by step how to do this for the latest version of macOS Catalina (at the time of writing the article), before showing how to install a clean copy of a previous version such as High Sierra, Sierra, El Capitan, Mojave, Yosemite or an earlier version of OS X. With the bootable USB flash drive ready for use, you are all set to clean install OS X El Capitan. How to clean install OS X El Capitan on your Mac. Step 1: Double-check to see bootable USB flash. I would like to completely wipe clean my hard drive and then reinstall OS X 10.11.6 El Capitan (it is my understanding that MacOS Sierra will not run on my machine). I would then like to restore from my backup, some of the programs that are currently on the hard drive without dragging any of the other unwanted stuff along. You can create a bootable USB drive (here are instructions for Yosemite, El Capitan, or older systems) from your iMac, then boot into it on your MacBook Pro using the Option key. Select the disk from the menu, select your language, then choose Disk Utility from the Utility drop-down menu and proceed to reformat it to the right settings.
- Should I Upgrade To El Capitan
- Clean Install El Capitan Without Usb Flash Drive
- Clean Install El Capitan Without Usb Driver
- Clean Install El Capitan Usb
Table of Contents
Can I download El Capitan without App Store?
You can't really download the OS X El Capitan installer app without the App Store. … In the OS X Utility window choose 'Reinstall OS X' (or similar) which will download and install the original OS X your Mac came with (10.9 Mavericks). After configuring your system open App Store.
Will installing El Capitan delete everything?
No. Upgrading your operating system doesn't wipe your hard drive. If you're still worried something might happen though, you can back up all your files to an external drive before you install El Capitan. Also, make sure your system can support an upgrade to El Capitan.
Can I upgrade from El Capitan to Sierra?
If you have macOS Sierra (the current macOS version), you can upgrade straight to High Sierra without doing any other software installations. If you are running Lion (version 10.7. 5), Mountain Lion, Mavericks, Yosemite, or El Capitan, you can upgrade directly from one of those versions to Sierra.
Should I Upgrade To El Capitan
Is El Capitan still supported?
El Capitan was replaced by Sierra 10.12, High Sierra 10.13 and the current release, macOS 10.14 Mojave. As a result SCS Computing Facilities (SCSCF) is phasing out software support for all computers running macOS 10.11 El Capitan and will end support on October 31, 2019.
How do I do a clean install of OSX from USB?
Simply plug your created USB drive into an open USB port on your Mac. Power on the system, or restart it if it's already on. Immediately press and hold the Option (Alt) key on your keyboard when it starts booting. You should now see an option to select your USB drive as a startup disk.
Can you install El Capitan from Lion?
As with OS X Lion, OS X Mountain Lion, OS X Mavericks and OS X Yosemite, Apple makes it easy for users to install the upgrade by downloading El Capitan from the App Store and running the installer. For most users, this is the best way to upgrade because it means your existing programs and data remain where they are.
How do I wipe my Mac and reinstall?
Select your startup drive on the left (typically Macintosh HD), switch to the Erase tab and choose Mac OS Extended (Journaled) from the Format drop-down menu. Select Erase and then confirm your choice. Quit out of the Disk Utility app, and this time choose Reinstall OS X and Continue.
How do I do a clean install of Mac without USB?
Just hold option key ⌥ (alt) when you start your computer, then choose the appropriate partition. When you are on the OS X Utilities, choose Disk Utility. From here this time, just erase your partition where you will install OS X (probably Machintosh HD ).
Start up from macOS Recovery

Determine whether you're using a Mac with Apple silicon, then follow the appropriate steps:
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Apple silicon
Turn on your Mac and continue to press and hold the power button until you see the startup options window. Click the gear icon labeled Options, then click Continue.
Intel processor
Make sure that your Mac has a connection to the internet. Then turn on your Mac and immediately press and hold Command (⌘)-R until you see an Apple logo or other image.
If you're asked to select a user you know the password for, select the user, click Next, then enter their administrator password.
Reinstall macOS
Select Reinstall macOS from the utilities window in macOS Recovery, then click Continue and follow the onscreen instructions.
Follow these guidelines during installation:
- If the installer asks to unlock your disk, enter the password you use to log in to your Mac.
- If the installer doesn't see your disk, or it says that it can't install on your computer or volume, you might need to erase your disk first.
- If the installer offers you the choice between installing on Macintosh HD or Macintosh HD - Data, choose Macintosh HD.
- Allow installation to complete without putting your Mac to sleep or closing its lid. Your Mac might restart and show a progress bar several times, and the screen might be empty for minutes at a time.
After installation is complete, your Mac might restart to a setup assistant. If you're selling, trading in, or giving away your Mac, press Command-Q to quit the assistant without completing setup. Then click Shut Down. When the new owner starts up the Mac, they can use their own information to complete setup.

Other macOS installation options
When you install macOS from Recovery, you get the current version of the most recently installed macOS, with some exceptions:
Clean Install El Capitan Without Usb Flash Drive
- On an Intel-based Mac: If you use Shift-Option-Command-R during startup, you're offered the macOS that came with your Mac, or the closest version still available. If you use Option-Command-R during startup, in most cases you're offered the latest macOS that is compatible with your Mac. Otherwise you're offered the macOS that came with your Mac, or the closest version still available.
- If the Mac logic board was just replaced, you may be offered only the latest macOS that is compatible with your Mac. If you just erased your entire startup disk, you may be offered only the macOS that came with your Mac, or the closest version still available.
Clean Install El Capitan Without Usb Driver
You can also use these methods to install macOS, if the macOS is compatible with your Mac:
Clean Install El Capitan Usb
- Use the App Store to download and install the latest macOS.
- Use the App Store or a web browser to download and install an earlier macOS.
- Use a USB flash drive or other secondary volume to create a bootable installer.
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