BeeRai

Q: Downgrade to Mavericks without Time Machine

Hi guys, I've not done a lot of searching so Im not 100 about how to go about downgrading.

My dad is having my old Macbook Pro from late 2011, I updated the software on it to Yosemite when it was first released, but I think its slowed it down considerably, which is why I want the down grade. I've erased the drive already, so whilst I'm here I thought i'd get mavericks back.

I'm a little confused on how to go about it so if any ones got some step by step info that'd be an emense help!

MacBook Pro with Retina display, OS X Yosemite (10.10.4)

Posted on Aug 13, 2015 7:36 AM

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Q: Downgrade to Mavericks without Time Machine

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  • by John Galt,

    John Galt John Galt Aug 13, 2015 8:28 AM in response to BeeRai
    Level 8 (49,226 points)
    Mac OS X
    Aug 13, 2015 8:28 AM in response to BeeRai

    You can certainly do that, but it would be better to fix what's wrong. All else being equal Yosemite should run quantifiably better than Mavericks.

     

    Most upgrade problems are due to incompatible or poorly written OS X system modifications. Your task is to find out what they are and either update or eliminate them.

     

    Since you already erased it though, reinstall your Mac's originally installed operating system boot OS X Internet Recovery: using three fingers press and hold the following keys: (command), option, and R while you start your Mac. A late 2011 MBP would have shipped with Lion, which will be reinstalled. After it finishes and you want to upgrade to Mavericks, open the App Store and select the Purchased tab. Sign in using the Apple ID you used to purchase Mavericks. Find OS X Mavericks and click the Download button.

     

    I recommend that you upgrade directly to Yosemite though, for the reasons I explained.

  • by BeeRai,

    BeeRai BeeRai Aug 14, 2015 3:32 AM in response to John Galt
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPad
    Aug 14, 2015 3:32 AM in response to John Galt

    Ah okay, I just assumed it was better to go back to Mavericks as it wokred quite quick a smoothly before I updated to Yosemite.

    I've run into a problem now though, in the OS X Utilities it lets me select 'Reinstall OS X', it then takes to me the next window 'To set up the installation of 10.10 (yosemite) click continue', but once I click continue it says it 'can't find the installation information for this machine and to contact AppleCare'. Then I back to square one!

  • by BeeRai,

    BeeRai BeeRai Aug 14, 2015 4:06 AM in response to BeeRai
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPad
    Aug 14, 2015 4:06 AM in response to BeeRai

    Update: Rather embarrassed to say I wasn't pressing the option key during reboot! Really need to read things thoroughly aha, Lion is now installing!

  • by NStewart24,

    NStewart24 NStewart24 May 29, 2016 3:44 PM in response to John Galt
    Level 1 (4 points)
    May 29, 2016 3:44 PM in response to John Galt

    Hi John, thanks for the really helpful post! This is the first honest answer that i've found to downgrading...Do you know if you will still be able to use downloaded applications after completing the downgrade to Mavericks?

     

    The only thing stopping me from downgrading at the moment is the fact i have Microsoft Office 2011 on my MB Pro and don't want to lose it, if i downgrade to Mavericks. There's only one license and i'm worried that i won't be able to re-install it for a second time!