Jul 01, 2010  Also have a look at the following links, as the information presented there might be helpful in your future endeavours into Mac OS X and could clear up initial confusion and may even prevent harm to your system or your files. Mac OS X Basics. New versions of MacOS installers are typically available through the Mac App Store, accessed through a computer that is compatible with the latest Mac system software release. Older versions of Mac OS X installers can often be downloaded as well, but from different sources. Have a look at the manual page KEXTUNLOAD(8) and also the Unloading a Kernel Extension with kextunload section in How to Load & Unload Kernel Extensions in OS X, excerpt show below. Unloading a Kernel Extension with kextunload.

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.

A list of all Mac OS X versions

Were Is The Install For Mac Os X Stored 10

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.

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

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).

Install Mac Os X Sierra

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.

These might also interest you:

Since you are unable to get Mac OS Mavericks Download 10.9 from Apple, I have decided to upload here. Here are the links to get OSX Mavericks 10.9 You can either use direct download from our website or if you are having trouble, Let us know and we will upload a torrent. Lets get on with the Mac OS Mavericks Download.

If you need to burn these to a usb or external hard drive using windows, Then use a program called Transmac. I will post the link soon! Here is the Mac OS Mavericks Download for 10.9.

Mac OS Mavericks Download 10.9

——————
File Format: ISO/DMG
File size:5.1G
Version:10.9
Torrent Download:

Direct Download:Download

Note: Let Us Know In comments if any link is not working, We will update ASAP.

About Mac OS Mavericks 10.9

Apple OS X Mavericks was first announced in June 2013 and was then released in October of 2013. It was the tenth big release of the Apple OS X line. At the same time, Mavericks was promoted and marketed as a major release just as was the case with the Lion and Mountain Lion OS X updates which came before the Mavericks.

This new OS offers more than 200 features different than what was offered from its predecessors. These features include Maps and iBooks and an upgraded version of the apple browser, Safari. In addition to these new features, the new OS also improves the internal performance of the Mac, increases its battery life, and also its power efficiency.

What Systems Is Mac OS 10.9 Compatible With?

This new Mac OS X is compatible with any Mac which was previously running the Mac-OS X version 10.8 – Mountain Lion. Other than that, the Mac devices which are capable of running the Mac-OS X Mavericks are: • iMac (the Year 2007 and above) • 15 crawl Mac-Book Pro (the Year 2007 and above) • 2008 Mac Book Air and above • Mac Pro (the Year 2008 and above) • 13 inch Mac Book Pro (the Year 2009 and above)

• Mac Mini (the Year 2009 and above)
• Xserve (The year 2009)
Although these above-mentioned devices will be capable of running the new OS, several features like the multi-display and Power Nap will be available across selected devices only.

What To Do Before Downloading And Installing MacOS Mavericks

Mac OS Mavericks Download, First things first, it is always a good idea to free up some space on the drive before beginning the installation process. The main reason behind this step is because the temporary files will require some free space. Utility software is a great help when planning on cleaning the drive.

The next step is to run a hardware test on the device. For devices older than June 2013, use the Apple Hardware Test Software. As for models which were released after June of 2013, Apple Diagnostics Software can check for any sort of hardware issues.
The last step before installing the OS is very important and must be performed from time to time. Backing up and then testing the back-ups are what these important steps are.

Can You Still Download Mac OS Mavericks From The App Store?

No, Downloading Mavericks as of the Apple Mac Store After all the previous steps have been successfully completed, open the Mac apps amass on your PC or Mac book, and sign in using your Apple ID and password. Next, look for the Mavericks. This can be done by entering in the name in the search bar, or by selecting it from the categories.

Once the desired Mavericks has been found, click the download key and begin the download.

The file will be about 5GB in size. Keeping this in mind select the drive with the appropriate amount of space.
After the 5GB Mavericks installer has been successfully downloaded, the installer will automatically open.
After the installer opens, simply follow instructions, read the important terms and conditions, and proceed with the installation.

Installing Mavericks On A New Drive

Installing Mavericks on unfilled Volume is also an easy process and is actually quicker than downloading it as of the Apple Mac Store. For this method, it is not necessary to keep any back-ups of your preceding Mac OS X version. This back-up is not needed since you have an unfilled volume to install the OS. The main reason for adopting this way of installing the OS and the reason it saves time is that you can install the Mac/OSX 10.9 Mavericks Download. A link to the Mac/OSX 10.9 Mavericks

Were Is The Install For Mac Os X Stored 2

Download is: https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&confirm=M9ph&id=0B9yHl-Szp7pUaGpDV3I0OTNaWDg

Creating A Startup USB

Installing Mavericks on Start-up Volume While using this technique to install Mavericks, it is important to stay a endorsement of your earlier OS file and application data. If this is overlooked, you won’t be talented to use those applications and files after the fitting of the new OS completes. Finally, you will require to make a bootable USB Installer which has the Mavericks OS installer on it. An easy way of creating a Bootable USB Installers

First, download a software named Disk Creator.
Then, insert an 8 GB or higher flash drive.
Then, open Disk Creator and click the “Select the OS X Installer”.
Find the installer, which in this case is the Mavericks installer, and select it.
Next, select the flash drive from the drop-down menu.
Lastly, click “Create Installer”.

And there, You’re all set. We hope you enjoyed this Mac OS Mavericks Download.