Run OS X 10.11.6 El Capitan on an iMac using OS X 12.1 Monterey?

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Level 1

4 points

Run OS X 10.11.6 El Capitan on an iMac using OS X 12.1 Monterey?

If this is a redundant question would someone please point me to the message thread? I have done some lengthy searching with no luck in finding an answer.

Is there a virtual emulator, such as parallels is for windows, to make an environment for running El Capitan in Monterey? I currently have a dual boot external hard drive but it it is causing hang ups because of the different drive formats. Plus I would like to make this a much more conducive access rather than the lengthy time for re-booting everything. I require El Capitan for use of purchased/owned versions of software which are not compatible with current tech. I'm just tired of the dual booting and would like something with more ease of access for time consumption.

Thank you

-Dave

iMac

macOS Monterey Version 12.1

Retina 5k, 27", 2017

4.2GHz Quad-core Intel i7

32GB 2400 MHz DDR4

Radeon Pro 580 8GB

iMac 27″ 5K, macOS 12.0

Posted on Jan 9, 2022 2:24 PM

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Answer 1

lllaass

Level 10

210,513 points

Jan 9, 2022 3:21 PM in response to David Peel1

I could not get VirtualBox to work on Monterey but had no problem with VMware Fusion (the free, personal use one)

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Answer 2

David Peel1 Author

Level 1

4 points

Jan 12, 2022 5:20 PM in response to lllaass

I didn't have any luck with VirtualBox, but the VMware Fusion is working so far like a champ. Thank you for the suggestion.

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Answer 3

--hi

Level 2

251 points

Jan 9, 2022 2:39 PM in response to David Peel1

You can run El Capitan in Monterey with VirtualBox, VMware, and etc. I actually used virtualbox to run linux on the mac, and run macOS Monterey. I never tried VMware before though.

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Answer 4

lllaass

Level 10

210,513 points

Jan 10, 2022 1:42 AM in response to --hi

I think the original poster's Mac is too new to run El Capitan and thus the only way to run it is in a Virtual Machine. A mac can't run a macOS version older than what came with the Mac.

--hi wrote:

I used to be able to run Monterey before on VirtualBox, and macOS will keep doing some panic or something when I run the virtual machine. When I try to run Monterey now, VirtualBox won't let me. I think it says that it's unsupported or something. I don't remember. The question have to do with running El Capitan, and not Monterey though.

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Answer 5

--hi

Level 2

251 points

Jan 9, 2022 5:33 PM in response to lllaass

I used to be able to run Monterey before on VirtualBox, and macOS will keep doing some panic or something when I run the virtual machine. When I try to run Monterey now, VirtualBox won't let me. I think it says that it's unsupported or something. I don't remember. The question have to do with running El Capitan, and not Monterey though.

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Answer 6

--hi

Level 2

251 points

Jan 10, 2022 5:10 AM in response to lllaass

I agree. If they did try to run it on their mac without a virtual machine, macOS won't boot up El Capitan. I think If they boot up their mac, they will get the prohibitory symbol as it says here:

If your Mac starts up to a circle with a line through it - Apple Support

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Run OS X 10.11.6 El Capitan on an iMac using OS X 12.1 Monterey?

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