Michael Peterson1

Q: download installer file

How do I download an installer file per directions in this article about creating a bootable startup usb:Create a bootable installer for OS X - Apple Support?

 

When I go to the linked site in this article it is the general download site for El Capitan. When I click the download it begins a process of updating my system and does not give me the option of downloading the dmg instead.

 

Drives me crazy when articles tell you to do something with inadequate information about how to do so.

 

Can anyone help?

 

Michael

iMac, OS X El Capitan (10.11.4)

Posted on Mar 22, 2016 5:40 AM

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Q: download installer file

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  • Helpful answers

  • by dialabrain,

    dialabrain dialabrain Mar 22, 2016 5:45 AM in response to Michael Peterson1
    Level 5 (6,682 points)
    Mac App Store
    Mar 22, 2016 5:45 AM in response to Michael Peterson1

    There is no .dmg.

     

    Download the OS X installer from the Mac App Store. Quit the installer if it opens automatically after downloading. The installer will be in your Applications folder.

     

    Download the Full Installer from your purchased tab in the App Store.

  • by Michael Peterson1,

    Michael Peterson1 Michael Peterson1 Mar 22, 2016 5:48 AM in response to dialabrain
    Level 1 (141 points)
    Windows Software
    Mar 22, 2016 5:48 AM in response to dialabrain

    How do you quit the installer if it begins the installation process?

  • by dialabrain,

    dialabrain dialabrain Mar 22, 2016 5:53 AM in response to Michael Peterson1
    Level 5 (6,682 points)
    Mac App Store
    Mar 22, 2016 5:53 AM in response to Michael Peterson1

    Cmd-Q or Quit from the menu. you want the installer not the update.

  • by Michael Peterson1,

    Michael Peterson1 Michael Peterson1 Mar 22, 2016 5:54 AM in response to dialabrain
    Level 1 (141 points)
    Windows Software
    Mar 22, 2016 5:54 AM in response to dialabrain

    OK I understand I want the installer not the update. But I see no place to ask to download installer versus update. Thus update automatically starts. Can you please be more specific. Thanks for the help.

     

    Michael

  • by dialabrain,

    dialabrain dialabrain Mar 22, 2016 6:04 AM in response to Michael Peterson1
    Level 5 (6,682 points)
    Mac App Store
    Mar 22, 2016 6:04 AM in response to Michael Peterson1

    You have to download the installer from your Purchased Tab in the App Store.

  • by dialabrain,

    dialabrain dialabrain Mar 22, 2016 6:10 AM in response to Michael Peterson1
    Level 5 (6,682 points)
    Mac App Store
    Mar 22, 2016 6:10 AM in response to Michael Peterson1

    Try this, On the featured page of the App Store, bottom left, click on the El Capitan icon. Then click Download... it will say it's already installed. Click Continue.

  • by MrHoffman,

    MrHoffman MrHoffman Mar 22, 2016 6:30 AM in response to Michael Peterson1
    Level 6 (15,637 points)
    Mac OS X
    Mar 22, 2016 6:30 AM in response to Michael Peterson1

    Michael Peterson1 wrote:

     

    OK I understand I want the installer not the update. But I see no place to ask to download installer versus update. Thus update automatically starts. Can you please be more specific. Thanks for the help.

     

    Michael

     

    The Install {release}.app stuff is the installer is everything you need to create a bootable installer.  The sequences differ by release, and the most recent sequence works with OS X 10.9 Mavericks, OS X 10.10 Yosemite and OS X 10.11 El Capitan, with or without OS X Server Server.app installed.

     

    As for obtaining the installer....   > Mac App Store.   Depending on the particular version of the OS X operating system you're looking for, either look under purchases (for releases you've already acquired) or look for the New and Notable for the current operating system if you've not already acquired that. 

     

    In short, find the installer for operating system that you're looking for, then download it.

     

    If you're looking for a previous version of the operating system and you don't already have it in your purchases, you'll have to acquire a redemption code, if those are still available.

     

    If you don't get a "download" button offered for an operating system you've already purchased, then there is very likely a copy of the installer somewhere on your disk — usually in the Applications directory, but folks can and do move the installer around — and you'll either need to use that, or (since it's probably stale, and could well have one of the older Apple certificates embedded) delete that copy and download a fresh copy of the installer from Apple for that release.

  • by Michael Peterson1,

    Michael Peterson1 Michael Peterson1 Mar 22, 2016 6:30 AM in response to dialabrain
    Level 1 (141 points)
    Windows Software
    Mar 22, 2016 6:30 AM in response to dialabrain

    OK. It just finished a download. When I clicked the message said I had already downloaded the program but to click continue if I wanted to download the installer. I clicked continue. Took several minutes and now says it has downloaded in the purchased tab.

     

    HOWEVER I don't know where it is. I search in spotlight and the installer comes up but there is no option I see to show it in the finder. So . . . I still don't know where it is.

     

    Michael

  • by dialabrain,

    dialabrain dialabrain Mar 22, 2016 6:34 AM in response to Michael Peterson1
    Level 5 (6,682 points)
    Mac App Store
    Mar 22, 2016 6:34 AM in response to Michael Peterson1

    It should be in your Applications folder. It's called Install OS X El Capitan.

  • by Michael Peterson1,

    Michael Peterson1 Michael Peterson1 Mar 22, 2016 6:43 AM in response to dialabrain
    Level 1 (141 points)
    Windows Software
    Mar 22, 2016 6:43 AM in response to dialabrain

    OK. Thanks!! There it is. Much appreciated. I think I am good for now. Michael