So, you’ve decided to download an older version of Mac OS X. There are many reasons that could point you to this radical decision. To begin with, some of your apps may not be working properly (or simply crash) on newer operating systems. Also, you may have noticed your Mac’s performance went down right after the last update. Finally, if you want to run a parallel copy of Mac OS X on a virtual machine, you too will need a working installation file of an older Mac OS X. Further down we’ll explain where to get one and what problems you may face down the road.

A list of all Mac OS X versions

Install the CD and reboot. Optionally, you can now install the 9.2.2 patch (mentioned above). At this point, it is a good idea to archive the entire fresh install of the Applications (Mac OS 9), Documents, and System folders by copying these folders from the root to a new backup sub folder. Downloaded the iso image and proceeded to make a Mac OS X bootable USB on windows. To create a bootable media to install Mac OS X leopard on my old macbook A1181. I used imageusb and installed. I was very happy to find this 10.5.4 version which worked perfectly. Many thanks to all. Download macOS Monterey. MacOS Monterey (Version 12) is the Eighteenth major release of. Meant to restore Classic function or OS 9 boot capability to a disk with only OS X installed. 32nd DL: Power Mac G4 (AGP Graphics) Install CD with Mac OS 9.0.4 (Sawtooth) 33rd DL: Power Mac G4 (AGP Graphics) Install CD with Mac OS 8.6 (Sawtooth) Download, decompress.

Download El Capitan and install fresh the Mac OS without upgrading the current Mac OS version The second method of installation is the clean install method. It basically erases the entire content of your chosen drive and installs a fresh, smooth version of the new operating system which is downloaded El Capitan Mac OS X in this case.

We’ll be repeatedly referring to these Apple OS versions below, so it’s good to know the basic macOS timeline.

STEP 1. Prepare your Mac for installation

Given your Mac isn’t new and is filled with data, you will probably need enough free space on your Mac. This includes not just space for the OS itself but also space for other applications and your user data. One more argument is that the free space on your disk translates into virtual memory so your apps have “fuel” to operate on. The chart below tells you how much free space is needed.

Note, that it is recommended that you install OS on a clean drive. Next, you will need enough disk space available, for example, to create Recovery Partition. Here are some ideas to free up space on your drive:

• Uninstall large unused apps
• Empty Trash Bin and Downloads
• Locate the biggest files on your computer:

Go to Finder > All My Files > Arrange by size
Then you can move your space hoggers onto an external drive or a cloud storage.
If you aren’t comfortable with cleaning the Mac manually, there are some nice automatic “room cleaners”. Our favorite is CleanMyMac as it’s most simple to use of all. It deletes system junk, old broken apps, and the rest of hidden junk on your drive.

Download CleanMyMac for OS 10.4 - 10.8 (free version)

Download CleanMyMac for OS 10.9 (free version)

Download CleanMyMac for OS 10.10 - 10.14 (free version)

STEP 2. Get a copy of Mac OS X download

Normally, it is assumed that updating OS is a one-way road. That’s why going back to a past Apple OS version is problematic. The main challenge is to download the OS installation file itself, because your Mac may already be running a newer version. If you succeed in downloading the OS installation, your next step is to create a bootable USB or DVD and then reinstall the OS on your computer.

How to download older Mac OS X versions via the App Store

If you once had purchased an old version of Mac OS X from the App Store, open it and go to the Purchased tab. There you’ll find all the installers you can download. However, it doesn’t always work that way. The purchased section lists only those operating systems that you had downloaded in the past. But here is the path to check it:

1. Click the App Store icon.
2. Click Purchases in the top menu.
3. Scroll down to find the preferred OS X version.
4. Click Download.

This method allows you to download Mavericks and Yosemite by logging with your Apple ID — only if you previously downloaded them from the Mac App Store.

Without App Store: Download Mac OS version as Apple Developer

If you are signed with an Apple Developer account, you can get access to products that are no longer listed on the App Store. If you desperately need a lower OS X version build, consider creating a new Developer account among other options. The membership cost is $99/year and provides a bunch of perks unavailable to ordinary users.

Nevertheless, keep in mind that if you visit developer.apple.com/downloads, you can only find 10.3-10.6 OS X operating systems there. Newer versions are not available because starting Mac OS X Snow Leopard 10.7, the App Store has become the only source of updating Apple OS versions.

Purchase an older version of Mac operating system

You can purchase a boxed or email version of past Mac OS X directly from Apple. Both will cost you around $20. For the reason of being rather antiquated, Snow Leopard and earlier Apple versions can only be installed from DVD.

Buy a boxed edition of Snow Leopard 10.6
Get an email copy of Lion 10.7
Get an email copy of Mountain Lion 10.8

The email edition comes with a special download code you can use for the Mac App Store. Note, that to install the Lion or Mountain Lion, your Mac needs to be running Snow Leopard so you can install the newer OS on top of it.

How to get macOS El Capitan download

If you are wondering if you can run El Capitan on an older Mac, rejoice as it’s possible too. But before your Mac can run El Capitan it has to be updated to OS X 10.6.8. So, here are main steps you should take:

1. Install Snow Leopard from install DVD.
2. Update to 10.6.8 using Software Update.
3. Download El Capitan here.

“I can’t download an old version of Mac OS X”

If you have a newer Mac, there is no physical option to install Mac OS versions older than your current Mac model. For instance, if your MacBook was released in 2014, don’t expect it to run any OS released prior of that time, because older Apple OS versions simply do not include hardware drivers for your Mac.

But as it often happens, workarounds are possible. There is still a chance to download the installation file if you have an access to a Mac (or virtual machine) running that operating system. For example, to get an installer for Lion, you may ask a friend who has Lion-operated Mac or, once again, set up a virtual machine running Lion. Then you will need to prepare an external drive to download the installation file using OS X Utilities.

After you’ve completed the download, the installer should launch automatically, but you can click Cancel and copy the file you need. Below is the detailed instruction how to do it.

STEP 3. Install older OS X onto an external drive

The following method allows you to download Mac OS X Lion, Mountain Lion, and Mavericks.

1. Start your Mac holding down Command + R.
2. Prepare a clean external drive (at least 10 GB of storage).
3. Within OS X Utilities, choose Reinstall OS X.
4. Select external drive as a source.
5. Enter your Apple ID.

Now the OS should start downloading automatically onto the external drive. After the download is complete, your Mac will prompt you to do a restart, but at this point, you should completely shut it down. Now that the installation file is “captured” onto your external drive, you can reinstall the OS, this time running the file on your Mac.

1. Boot your Mac from your standard drive.
2. Connect the external drive.
3. Go to external drive > OS X Install Data.

Locate InstallESD.dmg disk image file — this is the file you need to reinstall Lion OS X. The same steps are valid for Mountain Lion and Mavericks.

How to downgrade a Mac running later macOS versions

If your Mac runs macOS Sierra 10.12 or macOS High Sierra 10.13, it is possible to revert it to the previous system if you are not satisfied with the experience. You can do it either with Time Machine or by creating a bootable USB or external drive.
Instruction to downgrade from macOS Sierra

Instruction to downgrade from macOS High Sierra

Instruction to downgrade from macOS Mojave

Instruction to downgrade from macOS Catalina

Mac Os 9 Install Disk

Before you do it, the best advice is to back your Mac up so your most important files stay intact. In addition to that, it makes sense to clean up your Mac from old system junk files and application leftovers. The easiest way to do it is to run CleanMyMac X on your machine (download it for free here).

Visit your local Apple Store to download older OS X version

If none of the options to get older OS X worked, pay a visit to nearest local Apple Store. They should have image installations going back to OS Leopard and earlier. You can also ask their assistance to create a bootable USB drive with the installation file. So here you are. We hope this article has helped you to download an old version of Mac OS X. Below are a few more links you may find interesting.

Mac Os 9 Install Disk Download Windows 10

As of Mac OS 8, Appledistributes its system software on CD-ROM only. Earlier versions wereavailable on both CD-ROM and floppy disks. The instructions belowcover installation using either type of media. If you have an olderMac OS computer, see ARCHIVED: For my older Macintosh computer, where can I get system software? If you are installing MacOS X, see ARCHIVED: How do I install or upgrade Mac OS X 10.6 (Snow Leopard)?

To install Mac OS:

1. Boot up with the CD-ROM or, if you have the system on floppydisks, the System Tools disk.

   For instructions on how to boot from a CD-ROM, see ARCHIVED: On a Mac, how do I change my startup volume or boot from analternative volume, disc, or device?

   To boot from a floppy disk, shut down the computer and insert theSystem Tools disk or the first installation disk. When you restart thecomputer, it should boot from the floppy.

   Note: If you have downloaded a Net Install of System7.5.3 for an older computer from Apple, you should also download theNetwork Access disk image, so-called because it contains aSystem Folder and the minimum software needed to make anetwork connection. You will need Disk Copy to convert thedisk image into a boot-up floppy. Apple recommends you boot from sucha floppy before running a Net Install of System 7.5.3.

2. Run Disk First Aid on the volume on which you will beinstalling the Mac OS. In older versions of the system software, DiskFirst Aid is on the Disk Tools or System Tools disk, while in newerversions it is in a folder named Utilities on the CD-ROM.Newer Mac OS installers automatically check the disk as part of theinstallation process.
3. Double-click the installer program. In the Mac OS 7.6 through 9installers, you will need to click Continue on the firstscreen and then select the drive you want to install to on the secondscreen. For earlier installers, click OK in thedialog box telling you what you are about to do. If installing from aCD-ROM, make sure you select the volume on which you want the systemto be installed.
4. There are various types of installation from which to choose.Choose the method that best suits your situation. If you already haveMac OS 7.6 through 9 installed, the installers for these systems willdetect that and give you the options Reinstall andAdd/Remove. Other options are as follows:
   • Easy Install will install the default system (the systemfor that particular computer) and all printer software.
   • Custom Install allows you to specify a systemconfiguration other than the default. You can choose to install aversion configured for the particular Macintosh model you have or onethat will work with any model. You can also choose a minimal systemconfiguration that does not install some optional components of thesystem, or you can separately specify what networking software,multimedia support software, specific printers drivers, etc., toinstall.
   • Custom Remove allows you to remove selected systemcomponents from the system. Make sure the applications you are usingdon't require these components before removing them.
   • Clean Install creates a brand new SystemFolder. The old System Folder is renamedPrevious System Folder. For instructions on performingthis type of installation, consult ARCHIVED: In Mac OS 9.x and earlier, what is a clean system install, and how canI do it?
   
   
5. Once the installer has finished updating or installing youroperating system, restart your computer. You should then install anyupdates to the operating system; see ARCHIVED: For Mac OS X, how do I obtain and install system softwareupdates?