1. Download El Capitan Installer
2. Clean Install El Capitan Without Usb Drive
3. Download El Capitan To Usb
4. Clean Install El Capitan Without Usb Driver

Start up from macOS Recovery

Install El Capitan with USB. In this El Capitan downloading process, if you are going to perform a clean installation method on the startup volume you have to create a bootable USB drive. I'm unable to complete the installation of El Capitan. I only have the HD & RAM memory installed (no battery). Other Mac OS-X Versions are installing OK (even Windows). But, when I try to upgrade to El Capitan it never finishes the update. Also, it will not install via USB thumb drive. I have tried everything! If you have a friend with a Mac that will still run El Capitan, take your drive round to them. Alternatively, if the SuperDrive is still working - those don't necessarily last 13 years either - then buying a Snow Leopard. install CD/DVD on eBay could be your get out of jail free card. As a final, if bulky, alternative, any Apple Store will do. With the bootable USB flash drive ready for use, you are all set to clean install OS X El Capitan. How to clean install OS X El Capitan on your Mac. Step 1: Double-check to see bootable USB flash.

Determine whether you're using a Mac with Apple silicon, then follow the appropriate steps:

Apple silicon

Turn on your Mac and continue to press and hold the power button until you see the startup options window. Click the gear icon labeled Options, then click Continue.

Download El Capitan Installer

Intel processor

Make sure that your Mac has a connection to the internet. Then turn on your Mac and immediately press and hold Command (⌘)-R until you see an Apple logo or other image.

If you're asked to select a user you know the password for, select the user, click Next, then enter their administrator password.

Reinstall macOS

Select Reinstall macOS from the utilities window in macOS Recovery, then click Continue and follow the onscreen instructions.

Follow these guidelines during installation:

• If the installer asks to unlock your disk, enter the password you use to log in to your Mac.
• If the installer doesn't see your disk, or it says that it can't install on your computer or volume, you might need to erase your disk first.
• If the installer offers you the choice between installing on Macintosh HD or Macintosh HD - Data, choose Macintosh HD.
• Allow installation to complete without putting your Mac to sleep or closing its lid. Your Mac might restart and show a progress bar several times, and the screen might be empty for minutes at a time.

Clean Install El Capitan Without Usb Drive

After installation is complete, your Mac might restart to a setup assistant. If you're selling, trading in, or giving away your Mac, press Command-Q to quit the assistant without completing setup. Then click Shut Down. When the new owner starts up the Mac, they can use their own information to complete setup.

Other macOS installation options

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When you install macOS from Recovery, you get the current version of the most recently installed macOS, with some exceptions:

• On an Intel-based Mac: If you use Shift-Option-Command-R during startup, you're offered the macOS that came with your Mac, or the closest version still available. If you use Option-Command-R during startup, in most cases you're offered the latest macOS that is compatible with your Mac. Otherwise you're offered the macOS that came with your Mac, or the closest version still available.
• If the Mac logic board was just replaced, you may be offered only the latest macOS that is compatible with your Mac. If you just erased your entire startup disk, you may be offered only the macOS that came with your Mac, or the closest version still available.

You can also use these methods to install macOS, if the macOS is compatible with your Mac:

Clean Install El Capitan Without Usb Driver

• Use the App Store to download and install the latest macOS.
• Use the App Store or a web browser to download and install an earlier macOS.
• Use a USB flash drive or other secondary volume to create a bootable installer.