Q: OSX installer not found in App Store - why?

http://liondiskmaker.com

How to install OS X on an external drive connected to your Mac - Apple Support

Create a bootable installer for OS X - Apple Support

Apple removes OS's over time, since no company is going to keep it on the store and continuously patch it.

Just use internet recovery which will take u back to 10.10.5 (Hold down Command-Option+R when powering on till u see globe),  no need to create usb key, unless u wanna save on bandwidth..

Since it will be downloading the installer anyway in both cases, it really doesn't matter.... people may do thisonly do that for multiple machines like i have.

my question, when I search the App Store I can find no such thing called "OSX Installer".

That is the wrong search term.  El Capitan  OS X 10.11

try this after the jump

https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=1018109117&mt =12&ls=1

view in the App Store— download from there

 

I plan to upgrade my 2010 Macbook Pro currently running Yosemite to a new SSD drive

 

terence1957

This takes me to El Capitan. So, does this mean I have to go with El Capitan, not Yosemite? I'm no sure how compatible that is with my old MBP.

Yosemite is no longer an option.

OS X El Capitan - Technical Specifications

I've already posted the answer to this if u want to go back to Yosemite. Use internet Recovery.

You used the word "upgrade" which confused everyone... because then u said u wanted to stay with Yosemite.. so technically  win

Terrence, Are you near an Apple Retail Store? I have seen several reports here of an Apple walk-in store installing older OS versions from a thumb drive, usually at no charge. The situations are like yours--a need to recreate the old config when a hard drive is replaced.

terence1957 wrote:

 

I said I wanted to upgrade my HD to an SSD and added that I wanted to retain the same OS. I don't think I could have been any clearer.

how to create a boot clone 

https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-10081

simple:

Put your new SSD in an external enclosure

Make a boot clone using the software CCC

Swap out the drives.

Now the old HD can be a backup

If you have rights-to-use to Yosemite (came with the Mac and/or you "acquired" it by downloading while it was the current version), the product should appear in the Purchased list in the Mac App Store once you have signed on with the corresponding AppleID and give you a Download button. Rights-to-use are forever linked to the AppleID, not the hardware.

I've always dabbled with all the OS X versions as they come out and my list offers me for download all versions dating back to Lion!

The simplest, easiest and least expensive way to install Yosemite and your data to a new SSD is to use Disk Utility>Restore.

Ciao.