How can I uninstall OS X Yosemite and return to OS X Mavericks?

If you've been using, say, Apple Mail in Yosemite, are the backup files still compatible with Mavericks? Looks like a different format to me.

Go to Mac app store,and then purchased and see if Mavericks is there and try to download that.

Yay! I'm now working in OSX 10.9.5 without a problem! I don't know if it would go this smoothly for someone downgrading from 10.10, but basically I just ran the installer (which you will have to obtain through Apple-approved methods, etc...) and let the install run. As soon as it was finished and I got back to the desktop, I launched the App Store and was presented with the 10.9.5 update immediately.

Hey Kappy,

I'm trying to uninstall Yosemite because my computer is extremely slow at the moment. I'm trying to do this on a white MacBook (mid 2010).

I followed the 3 steps succesfully, until I received the error: Partition failed, couldn't unmount disk. Do you know how to solve this problem?

Your help is very much appreciated!

Hi Kappy,

Thanks so much for the info you have provided on this subject. Tearing my hair out over the annoying little bugs with Yosemite - massive preview delay, lost fonts, copy and paste not working, slow internet, email search fail, etc, etc, etc - so I'm about to try your option 3, which I think will also work best for me. Before I do though, I have one question I'd like to ask.

I use the online backup service Backblaze. Will this be sufficient to restore my files from, or will the act of reinstalling cause Backblaze to delete my backed up files? Any help would be much appreciated.

Many thanks!

Jules

The best I can say about online backups is maybe but it will take an inordinately long time to do it.

Have you tested Backblaze to see it it is capable of restoring your data in a usable format?

The reason I ask is because in my testing of online backups I found all of the ones I could get a demo copy of to test failed miserably to restore my data in a usable format. My big thing is photos and while they restored the original photos, they fail to restore my adjustments and other metadata. After discovering that I felt pay anyone for such a slipshod restoration of my data was not worth it and I strongly recommend against the usage of online backups.

Personally the backup solution I prefer is a bootable clone of my system disk drive. This gives me the fastest way to recover my system in case of a disk drive failing.

I've been using OS X since 10.0, and Yosemite is the worst release ever, no exaggeration. It broke everything: My Bose Companion 5 sound system doesn't even work with it, much less the MIDI drivers I need. Not to mention it is ugly as sin: Flat, no character, and with stomach-turning pastel colors. So, I reverted by:

1] Download Mavericks in App Store/Purchases if you've downloaded it before (It will go to Applications).

2] Move Mavericks to an external HD.

3] Reformat the internal HD with a USB thumb drive.

4] Reinstall Mavericks from the external drive.*

*I must note, I had a Mac tech do this for me. I wasn't able to figure it out.

Time Machine didn't work for me, but I guess it was because the leap was so big on this particular machine: I went from 10.6.8 to Yosemite. Then again, this was the first time I tried to use Time Machine, so I probably don't know what I'm doing. Since I have my data backed up on five different Macs, I went with the brute force approach. ANYTHING to get rid of this grotesque release.

I still have a Cube with 10.4.11 and a superdrive Mini with 10.6.8, so it looks like I'll be using 10.9.5 for several years until Apple comes out with another decent release.

Problem description:

After downloading Yosemite around 12.12.14 I lost all my Gmail sub folder work emails.

Attempted restore with Time Machine and now have 28,000 emails.

Gmail sub folders missing emails retrieved from Gmail archives but not sure if all.

Made further attempt to back date restore from Time Machine copying back up date to boot from new external drive. Would not boot. System shut down.

Would somehow like to restore computer back to 12.1.2014

EtreCheck version: 2.1.5 (108)

Report generated 7 January 2015 5:15:10 pm AEDT

Click the [Support] links for help with non-Apple products.

Click the [Details] links for more information about that line.

Click the [Adware] links for help removing adware.

Hardware Information: ℹ️

iMac (27-inch, Late 2012) (Verified)

iMac - model: iMac13,2

1 2.9 GHz Intel Core i5 CPU: 4-core

24 GB RAM Upgradeable

BANK 0/DIMM0

4 GB DDR3 1600 MHz ok

BANK 1/DIMM0

4 GB DDR3 1600 MHz ok

BANK 0/DIMM1

8 GB DDR3 1600 MHz ok

BANK 1/DIMM1

8 GB DDR3 1600 MHz ok

Bluetooth: Good - Handoff/Airdrop2 supported

Wireless: en1: 802.11 a/b/g/n

Video Information: ℹ️

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660M - VRAM: 512 MB

iMac 2560 x 1440

System Software: ℹ️

OS X 10.10.1 (14B25) - Uptime: 8 days 6:32:59

Disk Information: ℹ️

APPLE HDD ST1000DM003 disk0 : (1 TB)

EFI (disk0s1) <not mounted> : 210 MB

Macintosh HD (disk0s2) / : 999.35 GB (563.48 GB free)

Recovery HD (disk0s3) <not mounted> [Recovery]: 650 MB

USB Information: ℹ️

Apple Inc. MacBook Air SuperDrive

Apple Inc. FaceTime HD Camera (Built-in)

Apple Inc. BRCM20702 Hub

Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller

Western Digital My Passport 0820 2 TB

EFI (disk1s1) <not mounted> : 210 MB

Michael's iMAC External (disk1s2) /Volumes/Michael's iMAC External : 2.00 TB (1.33 TB free)

Apple, Inc. Keyboard Hub

Mitsumi Electric Apple Optical USB Mouse

Apple Inc. Apple Keyboard

Western Digital My Passport 071D 1 TB

disk2s1 (disk2s1) <not mounted> : 32 KB

disk2s2 (disk2s2) <not mounted> : 29 KB

disk2s3 (disk2s3) <not mounted> : 29 KB

disk2s4 (disk2s4) <not mounted> : 29 KB

disk2s5 (disk2s5) <not mounted> : 29 KB

disk2s6 (disk2s6) <not mounted> : 262 KB

disk2s7 (disk2s7) <not mounted> : 262 KB

disk2s8 (disk2s8) <not mounted> : 262 KB

My Passport Studio (disk2s10) /Volumes/My Passport Studio : 1.00 TB (11.02 GB free)

Thunderbolt Information: ℹ️

Apple Inc. thunderbolt_bus

Gatekeeper: ℹ️

Mac App Store and identified developers

Kernel Extensions: ℹ️

/Applications/VMware Fusion.app

[loaded] com.vmware.kext.vmci (90.5.7) [Support]

[loaded] com.vmware.kext.vmioplug.12.1.17 (12.1.17) [Support]

[loaded] com.vmware.kext.vmnet (0220.91.27) [Support]

[loaded] com.vmware.kext.vmx86 (0220.91.27) [Support]

[loaded] com.vmware.kext.vsockets (90.5.7) [Support]

/Library/StartupItems/Parallels

[not loaded] com.parallels.kext.Pvsvnic (3.0) [Support]

/System/Library/Extensions

[not loaded] com.devguru.driver.SamsungComposite (1.4.18 - SDK 10.6) [Support]

[not loaded] com.parallels.kext.ConnectUSB (3.0.0) [Support]

[not loaded] com.parallels.kext.Pvsnet (3.0) [Support]

[not loaded] com.parallels.kext.hypervisor (3.0) [Support]

[not loaded] com.parallels.kext.vmmain (3.0) [Support]

[loaded] com.rim.driver.BlackBerryUSBDriverInt (0.0.67) [Support]

[not loaded] com.rim.driver.BlackBerryUSBDriverVSP (0.0.67) [Support]

[not loaded] com.wdc.driver.1394HP (1.0.11 - SDK 10.4) [Support]

[not loaded] com.wdc.driver.1394_64HP (1.0.1 - SDK 10.6) [Support]

[not loaded] com.wdc.driver.USBHP (1.0.11) [Support]

[loaded] com.wdc.driver.USB_64HP (1.0.0 - SDK 10.6) [Support]

/System/Library/Extensions/ssuddrv.kext/Contents/PlugIns

[not loaded] com.devguru.driver.SamsungACMControl (1.4.18 - SDK 10.6) [Support]

[not loaded] com.devguru.driver.SamsungACMData (1.4.18 - SDK 10.6) [Support]

[not loaded] com.devguru.driver.SamsungMTP (1.4.18 - SDK 10.5) [Support]

[not loaded] com.devguru.driver.SamsungSerial (1.4.18 - SDK 10.6) [Support]

Startup Items: ℹ️

HP IO: Path: /Library/StartupItems/HP IO

HP USB EWS Gateway: Path: /Library/StartupItems/HP USB EWS Gateway

HPlaserjet Trap Monitor: Path: /Library/StartupItems/HPlaserjet Trap Monitor

Parallels: Path: /Library/StartupItems/Parallels

ParallelsTransporter: Path: /Library/StartupItems/ParallelsTransporter

Startup items are obsolete in OS X Yosemite

Launch Agents: ℹ️

[running] com.oracle.java.Java-Updater.plist [Support]

[running] com.rim.BBLaunchAgent.plist [Support]

[not loaded] com.teamviewer.teamviewer.plist [Support]

[not loaded] com.teamviewer.teamviewer_desktop.plist [Support]

Launch Daemons: ℹ️

[loaded] com.adobe.fpsaud.plist [Support]

[invalid?] com.app4mac.CheckUpAgent.plist [Support]

[not loaded] com.atomicbird.macaroni.launchd.plist [Support]

[running] com.bjango.istatserver.plist [Support]

[loaded] com.microsoft.office.licensing.helper.plist [Support]

[loaded] com.oracle.java.Helper-Tool.plist [Support]

[loaded] com.prosofteng.DriveGenius.locum.plist [Support]

[running] com.rim.BBDaemon.plist [Support]

[running] com.teamviewer.teamviewer_service.plist [Support]

User Launch Agents: ℹ️

[loaded] com.adobe.ARM.[...].plist [Support]

[invalid?] com.google.Chrome.framework.plist [Support]

[invalid?] com.google.GoogleContactSyncAgent.plist [Support]

[loaded] com.google.keystone.agent.plist [Support]

[not loaded] com.linotype.FontFolderProtector.plist [Support]

User Login Items: ℹ️

FontExplorerXAutoload ApplicationHidden (/Users/[redacted]/Library/Application Support/Linotype/FontExplorer X/FontExplorerXAutoload.app)

VMware Fusion Helper UNKNOWN (missing value)

AdobeResourceSynchronizer ApplicationHidden (/Applications/Adobe Reader.app/Contents/Support/AdobeResourceSynchronizer.app)

Microsoft Office Reminders Application (/Applications/Microsoft Office 2008/Office/Microsoft Office Reminders.app)

WDDriveUtilityHelper UNKNOWN (missing value)

CheckUp UNKNOWN (missing value)

VMware Fusion Start Menu Application (/Applications/VMware Fusion.app/Contents/Library/VMware Fusion Start Menu.app)

SurplusMeterAgent Application (/Applications/SurplusMeter.app/Contents/Resources/SurplusMeterAgent.app)

Google Chrome ApplicationHidden (/Applications/Google Chrome.app)

WDDriveUtilityHelper Application (/Applications/WD Drive Utilities.app/Contents/WDDriveUtilityHelper.app)

KiesAgent ApplicationHidden (/Applications/Kies.app/Contents/MacOS/KiesAgent.app)

fuspredownloader ApplicationHidden (/Users/[redacted]/Library/Application Support/.FUS/fuspredownloader.app)

HP Setup Assistant Application (/Applications/HP LaserJet Software/HP Setup Assistant.app)

HPEventHandler Application (/Library/Application Support/hp/laserjet/Trap Monitor/HPEventHandler.app)

Internet Plug-ins: ℹ️

JavaAppletPlugin: Version: Java 7 Update 67 Check version

JavaPlugin2_NPAPI: Version: Unknown

Google Earth Web Plug-in: Version: 6.0 [Support]

Default Browser: Version: 600 - SDK 10.10

Flip4Mac WMV Plugin: Version: 2.4.1.4 [Support]

OfficeLiveBrowserPlugin: Version: 12.3.6 [Support]

RealPlayer Plugin: Version: Unknown [Support]

AdobePDFViewerNPAPI: Version: 10.1.13 [Support]

FlashPlayer-10.6: Version: 16.0.0.235 - SDK 10.6 [Support]

Silverlight: Version: 5.1.30514.0 - SDK 10.6 [Support]

Flash Player: Version: 16.0.0.235 - SDK 10.6 [Support]

iPhotoPhotocast: Version: 7.0

QuickTime Plugin: Version: 7.7.3

SharePointBrowserPlugin: Version: 14.0.0 [Support]

AdobePDFViewer: Version: 10.1.13 [Support]

DirectorShockwave: Version: 11.6.0r626 [Support]

User internet Plug-ins: ℹ️

WebEx64: Version: 1.0 - SDK 10.6 [Support]

Picasa: Version: 1.0 [Support]

WebEx: Version: 1.0 [Support]

3rd Party Preference Panes: ℹ️

Flash Player [Support]

Flip4Mac WMV [Support]

Growl [Support]

Java [Support]

Macaroni [Support]

MacFUSE [Support]

Time Machine: ℹ️

Skip System Files: NO

Mobile backups: OFF

Auto backup: YES

Volumes being backed up:

Macintosh HD: Disk size: 999.35 GB Disk used: 435.87 GB

Destinations:

Michael's iMAC External [Local]

Total size: 2.00 TB

Total number of backups: 13

Oldest backup: 2014-06-16 22:15:49 +0000

Last backup: 2015-01-07 05:43:38 +0000

Size of backup disk: Adequate

Backup size 2.00 TB > (Disk used 435.87 GB X 3)

My Passport Studio [Local]

Total size: 1.00 TB

Total number of backups: 49

Oldest backup: 2014-06-16 22:15:49 +0000

Last backup: 2015-01-07 04:35:48 +0000

Size of backup disk: Too small

Backup size 1.00 TB < (Disk used 435.87 GB X 3)

Top Processes by CPU: ℹ️

5% Google Chrome

4% WindowServer

3% vmware-vmx

0% fontd

0% Finder

Top Processes by Memory: ℹ️

979 MB vmware-vmx

928 MB Finder

515 MB Google Chrome

515 MB Mail

335 MB mds_stores

Virtual Memory Information: ℹ️

3.35 GB Free RAM

9.76 GB Active RAM

8.33 GB Inactive RAM

3.64 GB Wired RAM

1.15 TB Page-ins

581 MB Page-outs

Diagnostics Information: ℹ️

Jan 6, 2015, 11:14:54 AM /Users/[redacted]/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/mdworker_2015-01-06-111454_[re dacted].crash

Jan 6, 2015, 11:14:46 AM /Users/[redacted]/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/mdworker_2015-01-06-111446_[re dacted].crash

Jan 5, 2015, 05:33:48 PM /Users/[redacted]/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/AddressBookSourceSync_2015-01- 05-173348_[redacted].crash

Le Advocate wrote:

Would somehow like to restore computer back to 12.1.2014

That's what Time Machine is for. Just enter Time Machine, go back to 12/1 and restore all.

Not sure why you posted EtreCheck, but since you did there are many issues with what appear to be failure to properly uninstall old software (e.g. Parallels and Blackberry). You likely don't need any of the wdc or Samsung software. Do you still need TeamViewer? Shockwave is dangerous. I see others that are out-of-date. I don't believe any of these are responsible for your Gmail problems, but must be causing other issues with Yosemite and probably Mavericks, as well.

Thats good advice for Lee, I suppose, but my Time Machine will not restore anything from before the Yosemite 'update.' I clean installed using a USB drive containing Yosemite, directly downloaded from the apple site, so it wasn't from anything that was on my old machine. I don't know if Lee, has similiar results or not, because for some bizarre reason, different people have different problems wt the 'supposably' same version of Yosemite. Even if Lee can use Time Machine to restore all, he'll still have the same version of Yosemite installed, unless he does a clean install. I'm glad that a lot users, had a successful change wt their OS, but their are still a lot users who did not. I've done two clean installs,wt two different results. I'd do another one, but frankly I'm afraid of what I might get this time.

Hi, I also have the same issues - I upgraded to Yosemite from Mavericks, found that I couldn't open Safari or Mail without an upgrade to Java. I upgraded Java, spent three days trying to sort out email problems and now can't open any of my Adobe CS5.5 full suite. I understand that it is possible to somehow delete Java 8 and reinstall 6, but can't find how or the right links. I know this will mean the email and Safari won't work properly then?

Wow, that Adobe package is not inexpensive either. That is pretty new product as well. Should be no reason why Yosemite would be incompatible except the obvious.

Did you try going to an Apple store for some support? That is enough going wrong to justify it I would think. They could get you out of this jam under a diagnostics appointment and that might get you going without paying to have it done.

Ironically, having been recently turned down for a job at my local AppleStore, I went in and asked: they suggested reinstalling the old system 🙂 I have literally just found on the Apple site the old Java download. I have reloaded Java 6, rebooted and hey presto... (I am touching wood, etc) Adobe CS is now working again, and email and Safari...

Alastair_Pether wrote:

I understand that it is possible to somehow delete Java 8 and reinstall 6, but can't find how or the right links.

You can, but there is no need to. Both Java 6 and 8 can co-exist and are installed in different places so they do not interfere with each other. Just install Java for OS X 2014-001.

If for some reason you still don't want Java 8 then see How do I uninstall Java 7 and later versions on my Mac?.

WWhen I click on reinstall OS X, iit will show OS X Yosemite, instead of lion OS. what can I do? Please help me.