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How to create a bootable drive for a Mac in windows?

I have many drives that somehow won’t boot and the disc that came with my mid 2009 MacBook Pro is the only option. I don’t have any other MacBook lying around and I don’t really know any place that I can use a public Mac or have any friends that have one. The only other computer I have is on windows :/

Earlier Mac models

Posted on Dec 21, 2024 11:13 AM

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3 replies

Dec 21, 2024 7:30 PM in response to Lucas_Lin

If you have an OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard retail upgrade DVD (the one with the cat on the label), then install Snow Leopard to that Mid-2009 iMac. I'm not sure the OS X 10.5 Leopard Restoration DVD which originally shipped with the iMac will work (I've seen some mention many years ago that 10.6 was required, but if you don't have the 10.6 Upgrade DVD, then certainly try the original Restoration DVD).


Then, using any other computer (even Windows or Linux) that can access the Internet you can download the macOS 10.11 El Capitan installer directly from Apple from outside the App Store. Transfer the downloaded El Capitan DMG file to the iMac running OS X 10.6. Extract the El Capitan installer & run it on the Mid-2009 iMac to upgrade to macOS 10.11. Unfortunately a Mac compatible with El Capitan is required to extract & run the El Capitan installer.


Here is an Apple article with instructions for downloading and extracting the El Capitan installer to the Applications folder:

How to download and install macOS - Apple Support




Dec 21, 2024 7:55 PM in response to Lucas_Lin

"How to create a bootable drive for a Mac in windows?: I have many drives that somehow won’t boot and the disc that came with my mid 2009 MacBook Pro is the only option. I don’t have any other MacBook lying around and I don’t really know any place that I can use a public Mac or have any friends that have one. The only other computer I have is on windows :/"

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macOS 10.6 Snow Leopard Install:

macOS 10.6 Snow Leopard Install disks are becoming sparse by the moment. And, as they do, they'll become more expensive (Supply & Demand) So, see about getting one on Amazon or eBay. Have mine from a Goodwill/


Dec 21, 2024 11:27 AM in response to Lucas_Lin

To make a bootable macOS drive implies you have access to the Apple Mac App Store from which to download the respective macOS app installer from which you issue an Apple Terminal command to create a bootable USB drive.


There is no Windows access to the Mac App Store, so the answer to your question is no, you need a Mac to do this.

How to create a bootable drive for a Mac in windows?

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