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How to create bootable OS X Yosemite USB?

Taha Munir··
OS-X-Yosemite-10.10
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Recently, Apple released OS X Yosemite. The new OS comes with revamped user interface, improved Notification Center, widgets and more. Yosemite is available as a free upgrade for all users. So, most of the users can simply download the latest OS and can upgrade. However, some users may wish to have a complete clean and new installation of the OS. So, what to do in such case? Well, all you need is to create bootable OS X Yosemite USB.

Steps to create bootable OS X Yosemite USB:

The tutorial is quite simple. Although you can try third party softwares too for the task, here we make use of default too available in Mac OS. So, what files and hardware you need before continuing with the procedure? Well, here is the list,

  • 8GB or ‘Greater’ USB
  • ‘Install OS X Yosemite.zip’ file downloaded from Mac Store (Download from here)

Now, let’s move to the actual tutorial to create bootable OS X Yosemite USB,

  1. Connect your USB drive with Mac.
  2. Start ‘Disk Utility’.
  3. Select USB drive from the left sidebar.
  4. Click on ‘Erase’ tab from right.
  5. Now, click on ‘Erase’ button. (MAKE SURE THAT THE TITLE IS SET TO ‘Untitled’ AND THE FORMAT TO ‘Mac OS Extended (Journaled)’.
  6. Now move to ‘Partition’ tab.
  7. Select ‘1 Partition’ from Partition Layout menu.
  8. Click on ‘Options’ button and select ‘GUID Partition Table’ as partition scheme.
  9. Click ‘OK’ button.
  10. Click on ‘Apply’ button to create this partition. (MAKE SURE THAT THE TITLE IS SET TO ‘Untitled’ not ‘Untitled 1’ or so)
  11. Now, start Terminal.
  12. Type following command and press ENTER
    sudo /Applications/Install OS X Yosemite.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia –volume /Volumes/Untitled –applicationpath /Applications/Install OS X Yosemite.app –nointeraction
  13. You will now be prompted to write your Mac password, do so and then press ENTER.
  14. It will take 10-20 minutes for the process to complete. Wait till the Terminal shows ‘Done’.

So, that’s it. You have now successfully created bootable OS X Yosemite USB. You can now use it for clean installation of the OS on Macs.

For any queries and questions regarding the tutorial? Do ask in your comments below.