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HarperRoberts's avatar
HarperRoberts
Copper Contributor
Jul 15, 2024

How can I make a bootable usb macos installer on Windows PC?

I'm in a sticky situation and would love some help. My Mac suddenly stopped booting and I suspect there might be something wrong with the system files. Now I want to make a bootable USB macOS installer on another Windows PC I have to reinstall the system. The problem is that I don't quite know how to make a bootable disk of macOS on a Windows system.

 

I looked for some methods and tools online, but I couldn't find a clear and reliable guide. If anyone knows the specific steps or has used reliable tools, please let me know, I really need help! Thank you everyone!

  • NoahJohnson's avatar
    NoahJohnson
    Copper Contributor

    It's really a headache to encounter this situation, but you can use UltraDMG to solve it. It's actually not that difficult to make a macOS startup disk on Windows. UltraDMG is a very reliable tool that is specifically used to create a macOS startup disk. I have encountered similar problems before.

     

    I followed this tutorial: 

     https://www.makeuserof.com/cerate-a-bootable-usb-macos-installer

     

    I successfully made a startup disk with this tool and then reinstalled the system smoothly. The steps are simple and clear, and it was done in a few minutes. I recommend you to try it!

  • EthanDavis's avatar
    EthanDavis
    Copper Contributor

    HarperRoberts 

    If your Mac can still be put into Recovery Mode (usually by holding Command + R at startup), you may not need to create a bootable usb macos installer. Network Recovery for Mac allows you to reinstall macOS without any external drive.

  • IsabellaWilson's avatar
    IsabellaWilson
    Copper Contributor

    HarperRoberts 

    Taking your Mac to an Apple Authorized Service Provider or Apple Store may be a last resort, and they can reinstall the system for your device. Usually they will have bootbale USB installer for macOS.

  • Zillmann's avatar
    Zillmann
    Copper Contributor

    creating mac os bootable usb installer on a Windows PC can be a bit tricky. Before you start, please meet the following conditions:

     

    • A Windows PC with at least 4GB of free space.
    • A blank USB drive with at least 8GB of free space (16GB or more recommended).
    • A compatible macOS version (High Sierra or later) for the installer.
  • Cooperren's avatar
    Cooperren
    Copper Contributor
    Making a bootable usb macos installer by using Virtual machines can be finicky, and sometimes you might encounter compatibility issues with certain software or hardware.
    And run a virtual machine can create a new attack surface for hackers to exploit. Make sure you're using reputable virtualization software and taking necessary security precautions!
  • Malekooise's avatar
    Malekooise
    Copper Contributor

    The createinstallmedia command is a powerful utility provided by Apple for creating a bootable installer for macOS. This command-line tool is essential for IT professionals, system administrators, and any Mac user who needs to install macOS on multiple machines or perform a clean installation.

     

    Currently, it is part of the macOS installer application. It allows you to create mac OS  bootable USB installer to be used to install macOS on a compatible Mac. On a Windows PC, you should first set up a Mac virtual machine first!

  • Yakobb's avatar
    Yakobb
    Copper Contributor

    If your Mac is not working, you can easily borrow another Mac to create a create a bootable USB macOS installer. This process involves downloading the macOS installer from the Mac App Store on the working Mac and using the Terminal application to create the bootable USB. This method ensures that you can reinstall or repair the operating system on your non-functioning Mac without requiring it to be operational.

    Creating a macOS bootable USB on another Mac is straightforward and highly useful in situations where your Mac cannot boot or needs a clean installation. By using the borrowed Mac, you can quickly generate a bootable installer that can be used to troubleshoot, reinstall macOS, or perform maintenance tasks, providing a reliable solution to get your Mac up and running again.

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