When you need to do a clean install or upgrade to Windows 10, similar to previous versions, Microsoft provides the installation files through a new ESD (Electronic Software Delivery) image format, which is commonly available via Windows Update.
We know this image as the install.ESD file, which is around 3GB in size and contains everything that is needed to install the operating system from scratch. Windows Update will typically download this ESD file plus other files to the $WINDOWS.~BT hidden folder on your computer.
So now, we’re going to learn a little about how to install Mac OS X El Capitan on PC. It is an article that you can find a lot on Google and the internet but most of them are not working with our systems, and there is no support for them, but in this article, I am going to show you how to install Mac OS X El 10.11 on PC with some more. Nov 29, 2017 Past operating systems are not available in the App Store, but here is our guide on how to download old OS X versions: download and install El Capitan, Yosemite, and macOS Sierra download.
The benefits of the Install.ESD is that it's an encrypted and compressed version of the Install.WIM image, thus making the download faster and more secure, which also results in spending less time during an upgrade.
While Microsoft makes publicly available the files to install Windows 10 through the Media Creation tool and via Tech Bench upgrade program, the software giant typically doesn't offer the ISO files to install the latest Insider preview builds released in the Fast ring. However, you can use an ESD image to create an ISO file that you can use to do a clean install or upgrade of the latest version of Windows 10 on one or multiple computers.
In this Windows 10 guide, we'll show you the steps to convert an encrypted image into an ISO file.
How to create an ISO file of Windows 10 with the Install.ESD image
When a new Insider preview build becomes available, do the following.
Download the ESD Decrypter command-line utility using this link.
Warning: While this command-line utility is known to work successfully, it's still a third-party tool, use it at your own risk.
Uncompress the utility to an empty folder on your desktop.
Note: If you can't open the .7z file to uncompress the utility, you can use popular 7zip tool, which can be downloaded here.
- Use the Windows key + I keyboard shortcut to open the Settings app.
- Click Update & security.
On Windows Update, click Check for updates and let the latest version download to your system.
- When the new installation files are ready, and you're asked to restart to begin the process, use the Windows key + E keyboard shortcut to open File Explorer.
- Click This PC from the left pane.
- Double-click the Windows installation drive -- Usually the C: drive.
- Click the View tab on File Explorer.
- Check the Hidden items option to see the $WINDOWS.~BT the folder that contains the installation files.
Open the $WINDOWS.~BT and inside the Sources folder, right-click and copy the Install.ESD file.
Open the folder where you extracted the ESD Decrypter utility files, right-click, and paste the Install.ESD file on this location.
- Right-click the decrypt.cmd file and click Run as Administrator.
In the ESD Decrypter Script user interface, type 2 to select the Create full ISO with Compressed install.esd option and press Enter to begin the process.
Once the process completes, you'll end up with ISO file inside the ESD Decrypter folder with a descriptive name and build number (e.g., en_windows_10_pro_14316_x64_dvd.iso).
You can now use this file to install Windows 10 on a virtual machine, or you can use a tool like Rufus to make a bootable installation media.
It's important to point out that there are different versions of the ESD Decrypter tool, but version 4.7 continues to work with the latest Windows 10 Insider Preview. You will also find other similar tools around the internet, such as ESD-Decripter, that are based on the command-line tool we're mentioning in this guide.
Note: The nature of dealing with an encrypted file makes the tool useful as long you're using the correct RSA key to do the decryption. While the RSA key comes integrated in the ESD Decrypter tool, Microsoft can begin to ship a new version of Windows with a different key at any time, which can make the tool unusable unless you provide a new key.
Windows 10 resources
For more tips, coverage, and answers on Windows 10, you can visit the following resources:
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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
We’ll be repeatedly referring to these Apple OS versions below, so it’s good to know the basic macOS timeline.
| Cheetah 10.0 | Puma 10.1 | Jaguar 10.2 |
| Panther 10.3 | Tiger 10.4 | Leopard 10.5 |
| Snow Leopard 10.6 | Lion 10.7 | Mountain Lion 10.8 |
| Mavericks 10.9 | Yosemite 10.10 | El Capitan 10.11 |
| Sierra 10.12 | High Sierra 10.13 | Mojave 10.14 |
| Catalina 10.15 |
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:
- Click the App Store icon.
- Click Purchases in the top menu.
- Scroll down to find the preferred OS X version.
- 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.
Installesd.dmg Not Working On Iphone
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.
Install Esd.dmg Not Working Windows 10
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.
- Start your Mac holding down Command + R.
- Prepare a clean external drive (at least 10 GB of storage).
- Within OS X Utilities, choose Reinstall OS X.
- Select external drive as a source.
- 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.
- Boot your Mac from your standard drive.
- Connect the external drive.
- 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
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.