Can't install downloaded dmg files

Question

Level 1

4 points

Can't install downloaded dmg files

Macbook Pro 2013 Yosemite 10.10.5 Help!!! Whenever I download third party software, such as Audacity, I keep getting the message 'Drag the audacity folder to the applications short cut' when I try to open the downloaded dmg file.

Here's what I do. I follow the software download link and a dmg file is placed into my download folder. If I try and open the dmg file from there I get 'Drag the audacity folder to the applications short cut'. So I've created a shortcut to the Applications folder in the dock and then I drag the dmg file to there. When I go to open the dmg file from there I just keep getting the same message again. Has anyone else had this? Does anyone know what the solution is? P.S I've checked my security settings and it makes no difference if I select the download files from anywhere option. Thanks.....

MacBook Pro, OS X Yosemite (10.10.5)

Posted on Sep 8, 2015 10:28 AM

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Answer 1

lllaass

Level 10

210,513 points

Sep 10, 2015 6:36 AM in response to Davidpem

After you click on the .dmg what happens when you drag it to your Applications folder?

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Answer 2

Niel

Level 10

741,581 points

Sep 10, 2015 6:36 AM in response to Davidpem

Don't drag the dmg file. Instead, drag the actual application inside the dmg to the Applications folder.

(132989)

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Answer 3

Davidpem Author

Level 1

4 points

Sep 8, 2015 10:55 AM in response to lllaass

I Just get a message box come up on my screen with the message about dragging the file to my applications shortcut.

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Answer 4

Davidpem Author

Level 1

4 points

Sep 8, 2015 10:57 AM in response to Niel

sorry for being a bit thick, but how do I find the actual application? all I can find in my downloads is the dmg file.

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Answer 5

Drew Reece

Level 6

10,684 points

Sep 8, 2015 11:19 AM in response to Davidpem

Double click the downloaded disk image from your downloads folder, a Finder window will open with 'Audacity' and an 'alias' to the Applications folder.

Drag the Audacity folder onto the Applications alias. You should be prompted to 'authenticate' if you are not an admin user, provide the details of an admin user & the folder with the app should be copied into the Applications folder.

Now you can eject the disk image by right clicking in the 'Audacity 2.1.1' Finder window & choosing eject (ctrl+click is also a right click).

Open the app inside /Applications/Audacity or try Launchpad.

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Answer 6

Davidpem Author

Level 1

4 points

Sep 8, 2015 11:34 AM in response to Drew Reece

HI Drew, I know from searching on the web that what you suggest should happen when I double click on the downloaded dmg file (37mb) - but this is the root problem, whenever I try to double click or open the dmg file I just get the message 'drag the audacity folder to the applications shortcut'!

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Answer 7

Drew Reece

Level 6

10,684 points

Sep 8, 2015 12:11 PM in response to Davidpem

Make that window bigger by dragging the corner 🙂

You can also use 'View > as list' to show the folders.

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Answer 8

The hatter

Level 9

61,031 points

Sep 8, 2015 12:26 PM in response to Davidpem

The DMG when opened is on the desktop as another volume that by ejecting is unmounted.

Sounds like there is a application inside the DMG volume, and an alias that will point to /Applications but you can also just drag to Applications on the Dock (which is just another alias too), or use Command+A to open a Finder window to Applications - and drag into that.

You can do what you want half a dozen ways.

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