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Clean installing macOS Catalina from a bootable USB drive is a helpful method when you want to start fresh or fix stubborn issues on your Mac. A clean install erases all existing data on your Mac and installs a fresh copy of macOS Catalina. In this tutorial, you will learn the steps to clean install macOS Catalina using a bootable USB drive.
Step 1: Create a Bootable USB Drive
To clean install macOS Catalina, you need a bootable USB drive with the macOS Catalina installer. Here’s how to create one:
1. Connect a USB drive with at least 16GB of storage to your Mac.
2. Open the Mac App Store and search for macOS Catalina.
3. Click on the "Get" button to download macOS Catalina.
4. Once the download is complete, close the installation window that opens.
5. Open "Finder" and go to the "Applications" folder.
6. Find the "Install macOS Catalina" file and right-click on it.
7. Select "Show Package Contents" from the context menu.
8. Open the "Contents" folder, then the "Resources" folder.
9. Look for the "createinstallmedia" file and drag it to the Terminal app.
10. In the Terminal window, type "sudo" followed by a space, but do not press Return yet.
11. Connect the bootable USB drive to your Mac and press Return.
12. Enter your administrator password when prompted and press Return.
13. Wait for the process to complete, which may take some time.
Step 2: Prepare Your Mac for Clean Installation
Before you proceed with the clean install, make sure to back up your important files, as all data on your Mac will be erased. Follow these steps to prepare your Mac:
1. Connect your Mac to a power source to ensure uninterrupted installation.
2. Restart your Mac and hold down the "Option" key while it boots up.
3. When the Startup Manager appears, select the bootable USB drive and press Return.
4. Wait for your Mac to boot from the USB drive.
Step 3: Clean Install macOS Catalina
Now that you’ve booted from the USB drive, you can clean install macOS Catalina:
1. Select your language and click "Next" on the macOS Utilities screen.
2. Choose "Disk Utility" from the available options and click "Continue."
3. In Disk Utility, select your Mac’s internal drive from the sidebar.
4. Click on the "Erase" button at the top of the Disk Utility window.
5. Choose a name, format (APFS is recommended), and scheme for your internal drive.
6. Click "Erase" to format your Mac’s internal drive.
7. Close Disk Utility to return to the macOS Utilities screen.
8. Select "Install macOS" and click "Continue."
9. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation of macOS Catalina.
10. Once the installation is complete, your Mac will restart.
Pros Cons
1. Fresh start with a clean OS. 1. All data on your Mac will be erased.
2. Fixes persistent software issues. 2. Requires time for data backup.
3. Improves overall system performance. 3. Need to reinstall all applications.
4. Removes clutter and unused files. 4. May encounter compatibility issues with older software or hardware.
By following these steps, you can clean install macOS Catalina from a bootable USB drive. Make sure to back up your important files and consider the pros and cons before proceeding with a clean installation.
Video Tutorial:How to boot macOS from bootable usb?
What is a macOS clean install?
A macOS clean install refers to the process of erasing the existing operating system and all data on the Mac’s storage drive and installing a fresh copy of macOS. This procedure is typically performed when users want to start afresh with a clean and optimized system or when they encounter significant issues that cannot be resolved through regular troubleshooting.
Here is a step-by-step guide to performing a macOS clean install:
1. Backup Data: Before proceeding with a clean install, it is crucial to back up all your important files, documents, and media to an external storage device or cloud service. This ensures that you don’t lose any valuable data during the installation process.
2. Create a Bootable Installer: Download the latest version of macOS from the Apple website and use the Terminal or a dedicated tool like DiskMaker X to create a bootable installer on a USB flash drive or an external hard drive.
3. Restart Your Mac: Connect the bootable installer to your Mac and restart it while holding down the Option key. This will display the Startup Manager, allowing you to choose the bootable installer as the startup disk.
4. Erase the Drive: Once booted from the installer, open Disk Utility and select the internal drive where macOS is currently installed. Choose the Erase option, select the desired format (usually APFS), and click on the Erase button to wipe the drive clean.
5. Install macOS: Close Disk Utility, and from the installer’s main screen, select the newly erased drive as the destination for the installation. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation process. You may need to sign in with your Apple ID and choose various preferences during the setup.
6. Restore Data: After macOS is successfully installed, you can transfer your backed-up files and data back to the Mac from the external storage or cloud service. It’s recommended to only restore essential files and avoid transferring unnecessary or potentially corrupted data to maintain a clean and optimized system.
Performing a macOS clean install can resolve issues related to performance, software conflicts, or problematic system settings. However, it is important to note that this process completely erases all data on the Mac, so it’s crucial to have a backup before proceeding. Additionally, make sure to download the latest version of macOS and always follow reliable instructions or guidelines specific to your Mac model.
How to install macOS Catalina from USB on Windows 10?
Installing macOS Catalina from a USB on a Windows 10 computer involves a series of steps. Here’s a comprehensive guide:
1. Prepare a USB drive: First, ensure you have a USB drive with a minimum capacity of 16GB. Format the drive to the ExFAT file system using the Windows Disk Management tool.
2. Download macOS Catalina: Visit the official Apple website and download the macOS Catalina installer. The installer file will be saved as "Install macOS Catalina.app."
3. Create a macOS Catalina USB installer: To create a macOS Catalina USB installer, you need to use a program like TransMac or Win32 Disk Imager. Follow the instructions provided by the program to create a bootable USB drive using the "Install macOS Catalina.app" file.
4. Adjust Boot settings: Restart your Windows 10 computer and enter the BIOS or UEFI settings by pressing the appropriate key (usually displayed during the boot process). Look for the boot options and change the boot priority to enable booting from the USB drive.
5. Install macOS Catalina: Save the changes made in the BIOS or UEFI settings and restart your computer again. As the computer reboots, it should boot from the USB drive. Follow the instructions provided on the screen to initiate the macOS Catalina installation process.
6. Format the drive: During the installation process, the macOS installer will display a list of available drives or partitions on your Windows computer. Select the disk or partition where you wish to install macOS Catalina and format it. Make sure to back up any important data before formatting.
7. Complete the installation: Once the formatting is complete, the macOS installer will copy the necessary files and install macOS Catalina on the selected drive or partition. Follow the on-screen instructions to set up your macOS Catalina installation, including language preferences, user account creation, and other settings.
8. Post-installation: After the installation is complete, your computer will restart. During the restart, eject the USB drive to ensure your computer boots from the newly installed macOS Catalina on the hard drive.
Note: This guide is based on general instructions for installing macOS Catalina from a USB drive on a Windows 10 computer. The process may vary depending on your hardware configuration and specific circumstances. It’s recommended to consult official documentation or reliable sources for detailed instructions and troubleshooting if you encounter any issues during the installation process.
How do I format a USB for Mac OS Extended?
Formatting a USB drive to the Mac OS Extended (also known as HFS+) file system is a straightforward process. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you:
1. Connect the USB drive to your Mac computer.
2. Launch the Disk Utility application. You can find it by navigating to "Applications" > "Utilities" > "Disk Utility".
3. In the Disk Utility window, locate your USB drive on the left-hand side under the "External" section.
4. Select the USB drive, and then click on the "Erase" button from the top toolbar.
5. A new window will appear. You need to choose the appropriate settings for formatting the USB drive.
a. Give a name to the drive by typing it in the "Name" field.
b. In the "Format" drop-down menu, select "Mac OS Extended (Journaled)". This is the file system format compatible with macOS.
c. For Scheme, leave it as "GUID Partition Map" unless you have a specific reason to change it.
6. Double-check all the settings you have selected to make sure they are correct.
7. Finally, click on the "Erase" button to start the formatting process. This will erase all the data on the USB drive, so make sure you have a backup if needed.
8. Wait for the process to complete. Disk Utility will display a progress bar indicating the formatting progress.
9. Once the formatting is finished, you’ll see a confirmation message.
10. You can now safely eject the USB drive by right-clicking on its icon on the desktop and selecting "Eject".
That’s it! Your USB drive has been successfully formatted to the Mac OS Extended (HFS+) file system and is now ready to be used with your Mac.
How to do a fresh install of macOS?
Performing a fresh install of macOS is a useful approach if you want to start with a clean slate, resolve performance issues, or ensure secure data erasure. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do a fresh install of macOS:
1. Backup Your Data: Before proceeding with a fresh install, it’s crucial to back up your important files, documents, and settings. You can use an external hard drive, cloud storage, or both to keep your data safe.
2. Create Bootable macOS Installer: Download the macOS installer from the App Store and follow the instructions to create a bootable installer on a USB drive. This will be used to install macOS on your Mac.
3. Restart Your Mac: With the bootable installer connected, restart your Mac while holding down the Option (⌥) key. This will display the boot menu, where you can choose the USB drive with the macOS installer.
4. Erase the Existing macOS Installation: Once the installer loads, select "Disk Utility" from the Utilities menu, and then choose your Mac’s internal drive. Click on the "Erase" tab, select the desired file system format (usually APFS), provide a name for your drive, and click "Erase" to wipe the existing macOS installation.
5. Install macOS: After erasing the drive, close Disk Utility and follow the instructions to install macOS. Select your freshly erased drive as the installation destination, agree to the terms and conditions, and proceed with the installation.
6. Customize Your Setup: Once the installation completes, follow the on-screen prompts to customize your macOS setup. This includes selecting your preferred language, enabling location services, signing in with your Apple ID, and migrating your data from the backup (if desired).
7. Update macOS: After the installation, it’s crucial to update macOS to the latest version. Open "System Preferences" and navigate to "Software Update." Install any available updates to ensure your Mac is up to date with the latest features, enhancements, and security patches.
8. Restore Your Data: After updating macOS, you can selectively restore your backed-up data, such as documents, media files, and settings. Make sure to verify the validity and integrity of each file before transferring it back to your Mac.
By following these steps, you can perform a fresh install of macOS, providing a clean and optimized operating system experience. Remember to exercise caution during the process, backup your data, and stay up to date with the latest macOS updates.
How to install macOS Catalina using bootable USB?
Installing macOS Catalina using a bootable USB drive can be a useful method when you need to install the operating system on multiple devices or want to perform a clean installation. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to install macOS Catalina using a bootable USB:
1. Download macOS Catalina: Make sure you have a stable internet connection and go to the App Store on your Mac. Search for macOS Catalina and click on the download button to initiate the download process. Once the download is complete, the installer will open automatically.
2. Prepare the USB drive: Connect a USB drive with a minimum capacity of 16GB to your Mac. Ensure there is no important data on the drive as it will be formatted during the process. Open Disk Utility (located in the Utilities folder within the Applications folder) and select the USB drive from the sidebar. Click on the "Erase" tab and choose the format as "Mac OS Extended (Journaled)". Give it a suitable name, like "Catalina USB," and click "Erase" to format the USB drive.
3. Create the bootable USB drive: Open Terminal (located in the Utilities folder) and type the following command, replacing "MyVolume" with the name you assigned to your USB drive in Disk Utility:
"`
sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Catalina.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia –volume /Volumes/MyVolume
"`
Press Enter and provide your admin password when prompted. Terminal will display a confirmation message once the process is complete.
4. Install macOS Catalina: After creating the bootable USB drive, restart your Mac and hold down the Option key until the Startup Manager appears. Insert the USB drive into a USB port, and you should see it as an option to choose from. Select the USB drive, and the macOS Catalina installer will load.
5. Follow the installation prompts: The installer will guide you through the installation process. Make sure to carefully read and follow the on-screen instructions. You will be asked to select a destination disk, agree to the license agreement, and choose whether to transfer data from another Mac or perform a clean installation. Follow the prompts accordingly, and the installation process will begin.
6. Finalize the installation: Once the installation is complete, your Mac will restart, and you’ll be prompted to set up macOS Catalina. Follow the prompts to configure your language preferences, Apple ID settings, and other necessary details. After completing the setup, you’ll have a fresh installation of macOS Catalina on your Mac.
Remember to backup important data before proceeding with any installation process and ensure that your system meets the necessary requirements for macOS Catalina.