- The distribution is available in over 50 languages and comes with many open-source and proprietary applications. Additional applications can be installed from the built-in app store, and Zorin OS even allows its users to install many Windows apps using the Wine compatibility layer. Only the most basic version of Zorin OS.
- The Mac OS X (Operating System Ten) Mac OS X is the newest in a long line of Graphical User Interface (GUI) operating systems, first started in 1984 (when the Apple Macintosh was introduced). The Macintosh and its operating system were based on the work done at Xerox PARC (Palo Alto Research Complex), but not commercialized by Xerox.
| Introduction | This handout will introduce you to the Macintosh OS X Operating System and all the skills that you will need to use it for programming. At the beginning of the course, when we are just starting to learn programming, practice these skills repeatedly, until they become intuitive. Because there are few skills, and because you will use these same skills over and over again while taking this course, you will soon master them. Every semester about 500 students successfully complete this process. Please feel free to ask other students if you get stuck; and, if someone gets stuck and asks you a question, please try to help them. Mastering the use of the operating system is NOT an academic part of the course, so feel free to give and take help. |
This video will show you how to switch between Mac OS and Windows. Thank you for watching and please don't forget to SUBSCRIBE for more videos.
| The Mac OS X (Operating System Ten) | Mac OS X is the newest in a long line of Graphical User Interface (GUI) operating systems, first started in 1984 (when the Apple Macintosh was introduced). The Macintosh and its operating system were based on the work done at Xerox PARC (Palo Alto Research Complex), but not commercialized by Xerox. Microsoft's Windows also has its roots in the first Mac (and Xerox) operating systems. |
| Mac OS X Terminology | Here are a few important terms that you must know to be able to understand the rest of the information on this page.
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| Logging On | The following instructions are for logging onto any machine running Mac OS X in CMU's Clusters, including WeH5419 ABCD.
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| Logging Off | When you are finished working on a cluster machine, you should always log off. Before logging off, make sure to Backup all your files that contain useful information. Then ...
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| Renaming Folders and Files | You will often need to rename generic project folders, downloaded from the course web site, with your name. To rename a folder or file (if it is a file with an extension, the extension should remain the same):
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| Zipping Files | Programming assignments must be turned in as single zip file that contains all the files inside a project folder. To zip all the files in a folder named F (located on the Desktop), for example, into a single zip file: On the newer Macintoshes (including most of campus labs):
On older Macs (if you don't see the Create Archive option when you try the above):
A new file icon named F.zip will appear on the Desktop with the name F.zip (or whatever you named it); the orignal (unzipped) folder will still be there too. You may have to Click the Desktop first to see this zipped file. |
| Unzipping Files | Often, Mac OS X will automatically unzip any file that you download through a web browser. Typically, you will see both the zipped file and the unzipped folder on your Desktop (although there might be a delay while the zipped file is being unzipped; you also might have to click the on the Desktop). If you see only the zipped file (not the unzipped folder), double click the zipped file and it should produce the unzipped folder. At this point you can delete (throw into the trash basket) the zipped file; you can always redownload it from the web. |
| Uploading to Andrew | When you finish a programming session, it is an excellent idea to save to your Andrew file space any of the projects that you altered (whether you are on your own machine or a cluster machine). Doing so ensures that your work is not lost (even if something happens to it on your own computer; it is a sad fact of life, but almost everyone will accidentally delete some important file during the semester) and that it is available to all other computers that can access your Andrew file space. To save your work
Another method (one that saves space on your Andrew account) is to first Zip your project folder into one file and then upload just that zip file to your Andrew account. Remember, even if you are using your own computer, it is a good idea to archive project files from it onto your Andrew file space. |
| Downloading from Andrew | To work on any material that you previously saved to your Andrew file space, you must first download it to your local system (typically to the Desktop). To retrieve your work
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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.
Otherness (yhliu) Mac Os X
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.
Otherness (yhliu) Mac Os Update
“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.
Otherness (yhliu) Mac Os Download
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.
- 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.