Forum Discussion
Tomasstes
Dec 26, 2024Iron Contributor
How to Create El Capitan Bootable USB from Windows PC with DMG File?
I just formatted internal disk of Mac Mini Mid 2011 running Mac OS X El Capitan (10.11.6). I thought reinstalling El Capitan via the official Internet Recovery approach but it did not work in my case...
Yarisyoyo
Jan 02, 2025Iron Contributor
Creating El Capitan bootable USB on Windows PC isn’t as scary as it sounds. Just take it slow, make sure not to rush through the steps, and choose the right tools. I’ve had my fair share of missteps, but each one taught me something new. If you hit a snag, don’t hesitate to check forums or tutorials—they're usually pretty helpful! Good luck,
How to Create El Capitan bootable USB Using Balena Etchar:
- Download the DMG File: You should have the macOS El Capitan DMG file ready somewhere on your PC.
- Download Balena Etchar: Grab it from the official Balena website and install it.
- Format the USB Drive:
Plug in your USB drive and go to “This PC” or “My Computer”.
Right-click on the USB drive, choose “Format”, select FAT32 or exFAT, and start the process. - Open Balena Etchar:
Once installed, run Balena Etchar.
Click "Flash from file" and select your DMG file.
Select your USB drive.
Hit "Flash!" and wait for the process to finish. It might take some time, so chill out while it does its thing. - Eject the USB: After it says “Flash Complete,” properly eject your USB from Windows.
- Boot on Mac: Plug the USB into your Mac, hold the Option (⌥) key at startup, and select the USB to begin the installation.
Some Tips
- Backup Everything: Always have a backup of important data before formatting disks—better safe than sorry!
- Use a Quality USB Drive: If you have an old USB stick lying around, maybe think about using a newer one. Performance can matter.
- Read Up: If you’re confused, there are tons of online forums and guides. Sometimes, seeing a video can make all the difference in understanding the steps.