How to Download and Install Yosemite OS X 10.10 on Your Mac
Yosemite OS X 10.10 is the eleventh major release of Apple's desktop operating system for Macintosh computers. It was released in October 2014 and introduced a new flat design, enhanced integration with iOS devices, improved apps, and performance enhancements.
If you're wondering how to download and install Yosemite OS X 10.10 on your Mac, you've come to the right place. In this article, we'll show you how to get the latest version of macOS for free, create a bootable installer drive, backup your data, and perform a clean or upgrade installation.
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But before we begin, let's take a look at the system requirements for running Yosemite OS X 10.10.
System Requirements for Yosemite OS X 10.10
To install Yosemite OS X 10.10 on your Mac, you'll need:
A Mac model from mid-2007 or later, such as iMac, Mac Pro, Mac mini, MacBook, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, or Xserve.
A version of OS X 10.6.8 or higher installed on your Mac.
At least 2 GB of RAM and 8 GB of available hard drive space.
A Bluetooth 4.0/LE device for Continuity and Handoff features (optional).
You can check your Mac model and OS version by clicking the Apple menu in the top-left corner of the screen and choosing About This Mac.
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How to Download Yosemite OS X 10.10
The easiest way to download Yosemite OS X 10.10 is from the Mac App Store.
Open the App Store app from the Dock or Launchpad.
Search for "Yosemite" or click this link (^5^) to open the App Store page for Yosemite OS X 10.10.
Click the Get button to begin downloading the macOS installer.
After downloading to your Applications folder, the installer will open automatically.
If you plan to use that installer on other Macs or create a bootable drive, be sure to copy the installer to another drive or move it out of the Applications folder before you install it on your Mac. Otherwise, it will delete itself after the installation finishes.
If you can't find Yosemite OS X 10.10 in the App Store or you If you can't find Yosemite OS X 10.10 in the App Store or you prefer to download it from another source, you can also use a trusted website that provides direct links to the macOS installers. For example, you can use this link to download Yosemite OS X 10.10 from MacUpdate.
However, be careful when downloading macOS installers from third-party sources, as they may contain malware or viruses. Always verify the file size and checksum of the downloaded file before opening it.
How to Create a Bootable Installer Drive for Yosemite OS X 10.10
A bootable installer drive is a USB flash drive or external hard drive that contains the macOS installer and allows you to boot from it and install macOS on any compatible Mac. It's useful if you want to perform a clean installation, install macOS on multiple Macs, or troubleshoot your Mac.
There are several ways to create a bootable installer drive for Yosemite OS X 10.10, but we'll show you three of the most common methods: using the createinstallmedia tool, using Disk Utility, and using Terminal.
Method 1: Using the createinstallmedia Tool
The createinstallmedia tool is a command-line utility that comes with the macOS installer and lets you create a bootable installer drive with a few simple steps.
Connect a USB flash drive or external hard drive with at least 8 GB of storage space to your Mac. Make sure it's formatted as Mac OS Extended (Journaled) and has no important data on it, as it will be erased during the process.
Open the Terminal app from the Utilities folder in the Applications folder.
Type or paste the following command in Terminal, replacing /Volumes/MyVolume with the name of your drive:
sudo /Applications/Install\ OS\ X\ Yosemite.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/MyVolume --applicationpath /Applications/Install\ OS\ X\ Yosemite.app
Press Return and enter your administrator password when prompted.
Wait for the process to complete. It may take several minutes, depending on the speed of your drive and connection.
When done, you'll see a message saying "Done." You can now eject your drive and use it as a bootable installer for Yosemite OS X 10.10.
Method 2: Using Disk Utility
Disk Utility is an app that lets you manage your disks and partitions on your Mac. You can also use it to create a bootable installer drive for Yosemite OS X 10.10 by restoring the macOS installer to your drive.
Connect a USB flash drive or external hard drive with at least 8 GB of storage space to your Mac. Make sure it's formatted as Mac OS Extended (Journaled) and has no important data on it, as it will be erased during the process.
Open the Disk Utility app from the Utilities folder in the Applications folder.
Select your drive from the sidebar and click the Erase button at the top of the window.
Name your drive "Yosemite" or anything else you like, and make sure the format is Mac OS Extended (Journaled) and the scheme is GUID Partition Map.
Click Erase and wait for the process to finish.
Select your drive again and click the Restore button at the top of the window.
Drag and drop the Install OS X Yosemite app from the Applications folder to the Source field.
Drag and drop your drive to the Destination field.
Click Restore and confirm when prompted.
Wait for the process to complete. It may take several minutes, depending on the speed of your drive and connection.
When done, you'll see a message saying "Restore Complete." You can now eject your drive and use it as a bootable installer for Yosemite OS X 10.10.
Method 3: Using Terminal
If you're comfortable with using Terminal commands, you can also create a bootable installer drive for Yosemite OS X 10.10 by using the diskutil and asr commands.
Connect a USB flash drive or external hard drive with at least 8 GB of storage space to your Mac. Make sure it's formatted as Mac OS Extended (Journaled) and has no important data on it, as it will be erased during the process.
Open the Terminal app from the Utilities folder in the Applications folder in the Applications folder.
Type or paste the following command in Terminal, replacing diskX with the disk identifier of your drive. You can find it by typing diskutil list and looking for the external drive.
diskutil eraseDisk JHFS+ Yosemite GPT diskX
Press Return and wait for the process to finish.
Type or paste the following command in Terminal, replacing diskXs2 with the partition identifier of your drive. You can find it by typing diskutil list and looking for the external drive.
sudo asr restore --source /Applications/Install\ OS\ X\ Yosemite.app/Contents/SharedSupport/InstallESD.dmg --target /dev/diskXs2 --erase --noverify
Press Return and enter your administrator password when prompted.
Wait for the process to complete. It may take several minutes, depending on the speed of your drive and connection.
When done, you'll see a message saying "Restore successful." You can now eject your drive and use it as a bootable installer for Yosemite OS X 10.10.
How to Backup Your Mac and Prepare for the Installation
Before you install Yosemite OS X 10.10 on your Mac, it's highly recommended that you backup your data and prepare your Mac for the installation. This will help you avoid any data loss or installation errors.
Here are some steps you should take before installing Yosemite OS X 10.10:
Backup your Mac using Time Machine or another backup method. This will allow you to restore your data and settings in case something goes wrong during the installation.
Check for software updates and install them if available. This will ensure that your Mac is running the latest version of OS X and has the latest security patches and bug fixes.
Check for app compatibility and update them if needed. Some apps may not work properly or at all with Yosemite OS X 10.10, so you should check their websites or contact their developers for compatibility information and updates.
Clean up your Mac and free up some space. You should delete any unnecessary files, apps, or caches that are taking up space on your Mac. You can use a tool like CleanMyMac X to help you with this task.
Disable any antivirus or security software that may interfere with the installation. You can re-enable them after the installation is complete.
How to Install Yosemite OS X 10.10 on Your Mac
Once you have downloaded Yosemite OS X 10.10, created a bootable installer drive, backed up your data, and prepared your Mac, you're ready to install Yosemite OS X 10.10 on your Mac.
You have two options for installing Yosemite OS X 10.10: a clean installation or an upgrade installation.
Clean Installation
A clean installation means that you erase everything on your Mac and install a fresh copy of Yosemite OS X 10.10. This will give you a clean slate and improve your Mac's performance, but it will also delete all your data and settings, so make sure you have a backup before proceeding.
To perform a clean installation of Yosemite OS X 10.10, follow these steps:
Connect your bootable installer drive to your Mac and restart it while holding down the Option key.
Select the installer drive from the list of bootable devices and press Enter.
When the macOS Utilities window appears, select Disk Utility and click Continue.
Select your Mac's internal drive from the sidebar and click the Erase button at the top of the window.
Name your drive "Macintosh HD" or anything else you like, and make sure the format is Mac OS Extended (Journaled) and the scheme is GUID Partition Map.
Click Erase and wait for the process to finish.
Quit Disk Utility and return to the macOS Utilities window.
Select Install OS X and click Continue.
Follow the onscreen instructions to install Yosemite OS X 10.10 on your Mac.
When the installation is complete, your Mac will restart and ask you to set up some basic settings, such as language, keyboard layout, Apple ID, etc.
Congratulations! You have successfully installed Yosemite OS X 10.10 on your Mac. You can now restore your data from your backup or start fresh with a new user account.</ Upgrade Installation
An upgrade installation means that you install Yosemite OS X 10.10 over your existing version of OS X, keeping your data and settings intact. This will save you time and hassle, but it may also cause some compatibility or performance issues, so make sure you have a backup before proceeding.
To perform an upgrade installation of Yosemite OS X 10.10, follow these steps:
Open the Install OS X Yosemite app from the Applications folder or your bootable installer drive.
Click Continue and agree to the terms and conditions.
Select your Mac's internal drive as the destination and click Install.
Enter your administrator password when prompted.
Wait for the installation to complete. It may take several minutes, depending on the speed of your drive and connection.
When the installation is complete, your Mac will restart and ask you to log in with your user account.
Congratulations! You have successfully installed Yosemite OS X 10.10 on your Mac. You can now enjoy the new features and improvements of macOS.
Pros and Cons of Yosemite OS X 10.10
Yosemite OS X 10.10 is a major update that brings many changes and enhancements to your Mac. But like any software update, it also has its pros and cons. Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of upgrading to Yosemite OS X 10.10:
Pros
A new flat design that makes your Mac look more modern and sleek.
Continuity and Handoff features that let you seamlessly switch between your Mac and iOS devices, using them as extensions of each other.
Improved apps such as Safari, Mail, Photos, Messages, iTunes, and more, with new features and functionalities.
Performance enhancements such as faster boot time, smoother animations, better battery life, and more efficient memory usage.
A redesigned Notification Center that lets you access widgets and interactive notifications from anywhere on your Mac.
A revamped Spotlight that lets you search for anything on your Mac and online, with rich previews and suggestions.
A new iCloud Drive that lets you store and access any file in iCloud from any device.
A new Family Sharing feature that lets you share iTunes, iBooks, App Store purchases, photos, calendars, reminders, and more with up to six family members.
Cons
Compatibility problems with some apps or hardware that may not work properly or at all with Yosemite OS X 10.10. You may need to update them or find alternatives.
WiFi issues such as slow or unstable connections, dropped signals, or inability to connect to certain networks. You may need to reset your network settings or contact your ISP for help.
Increased translucency that may make some elements hard to see or read, especially on older Macs or in bright environments. You may need to adjust your display settings or use dark mode.
Deeper integration with Apple services such as iCloud, iTunes, App Store, iMessage, FaceTime, etc., that may limit your choices or privacy. You may need to adjust your preferences or use third-party services.
Tips and Tricks for Using Yosemite OS X 10.10
Yosemite OS X 10.10 is packed with features and functionalities that can make your Mac experience more enjoyable and productive. Here are some tips and tricks for using Yosemite OS X 10.10:
Tip 1: How to use Spotlight to search for anything on your Mac and online
Spotlight is a powerful tool that lets you search for anything on your Mac and online, such as files, folders, apps, documents, emails, contacts, events, music, movies, maps, weather, news, sports scores, currency conversions, calculations, definitions, and more.
To use Spotlight:
Click the magnifying glass icon in the top-right corner of the menu bar or press Command-Space on your keyboard.
Type what you're looking for in the search field that appears in the center of the screen.
As you type, Spotlight will show you relevant results from different categories in a list below the search field. You can scroll through the list using the arrow keys or the mouse wheel.
To see more information about a result or open it in its app , click the result or press Return. You can also press Command-R to show the result in Finder or Command-I to show its information.
To see more results from a specific category, click the Show All button at the bottom of the list or press Command-L. You can also press Command-B to open the results in your default browser.
To customize Spotlight settings, such as which categories to include or exclude, click the Spotlight icon in the System Preferences app or press Command-Comma while Spotlight is open.
Tip 2: How to use Handoff and Instant Hotspot to seamlessly switch between your Mac and iOS devices
Handoff and Instant Hotspot are two of the Continuity features that let you seamlessly switch between your Mac and iOS devices, using them as extensions of each other.
Handoff lets you start an activity on one device and continue it on another, such as writing an email, browsing a web page, editing a document, or making a phone call.
To use Handoff:
Make sure your Mac and iOS device are signed in with the same Apple ID, have Bluetooth turned on, and are connected to the same WiFi network.
Start an activity on one device using a compatible app, such as Mail, Safari, Pages, Numbers, Keynote, Messages, Maps, Reminders, Calendar, Contacts, Notes, or Phone.
On your other device, look for the Handoff icon on the bottom-left corner of the lock screen (iOS) or on the left side of the Dock (Mac). The icon will show the app and device you're using.
Swipe up on the icon (iOS) or click it (Mac) to continue the activity on your other device. You can also press Command-Tab (Mac) to switch to the app.
Instant Hotspot lets you use your iPhone's cellular data connection as a WiFi hotspot for your Mac, without having to set up anything.
To use Instant Hotspot:
Make sure your iPhone has cellular data enabled and is signed in with the same Apple ID as your Mac.
On your Mac, click the WiFi icon in the menu bar and look for your iPhone's name under Personal Hotspot.
Select your iPhone's name and enter its password if prompted.
Your Mac will now connect to your iPhone's hotspot and show its signal strength and battery level in the menu bar.
Tip 3: How to use Safari to browse faster, smarter, and more privately
Safari is Apple's web browser that lets you browse faster, smarter, and more privately. It has many features and functionalities that can enhance your browsing experience.
Here are some tips for using Safari:
To access your favorite websites quickly, use the Favorites bar or view. You can add or remove websites from your Favorites by dragging and dropping them from or to the address bar. You can also edit or rearrange them by choosing Bookmarks > Edit Bookmarks.
To see all your open tabs at a glance, use the Tab view. You can switch between tabs by swiping left or right with two fingers on your trackpad or clicking the Tab view button in the top-right corner of the window. You can also close tabs by hovering over them and clicking the X button.
To search for anything on the web or in your bookmarks or history, use the Smart Search field. You can type keywords or phrases in the field and see suggestions from Google or other search engines. You can also choose a different search engine by clicking the magnifying glass icon in the field.
To browse more privately and prevent websites from tracking you, use Private Browsing mode. You can open a new private window by choosing File > New Private Window or pressing Shift-Command-N. Your private browsing history will not be saved or shared with other devices.
To block unwanted ads and content from websites, use Safari extensions. You can download and install extensions from the Safari Extensions Gallery or other websites. You can manage your extensions by choosing Safari > Preferences > Extensions.
To sync your bookmarks, history, tabs, passwords, and more across your devices, use iCloud. You can enable iCloud for Safari by choosing Apple menu > System Preferences > iCloud and checking the Safari box. You can also access your iCloud tabs by clicking the iCloud button in the Tab view.
Tip 4: How to use Mail to send large attachments, annotate documents, and manage your inbox
Mail is Apple's email app that lets you send and receive messages from multiple accounts. It has many features and functionalities that can make your email communication easier and more efficient.
Here are some tips for using Mail:
To send large attachments that exceed the size limit of your email provider, use Mail Drop. You can attach files up to 5 GB in size and they will be uploaded to iCloud and sent as a link to the recipient. You can enable Mail Drop by choosing Mail > Preferences > Accounts > Advanced and checking the Send large attachments with Mail Drop box.
To annotate documents or images that you attach or receive in Mail, use Markup. You can draw, write, highlight, add shapes, signatures, and more to your attachments. You can access Markup by clicking the Markup button in the toolbar or the preview of the attachment.
To manage your inbox and organize your messages, use Smart Mailboxes and VIPs. Smart Mailboxes are folders that automatically group messages based on certain criteria, such as unread, flagged, attachments, etc. You can create or edit Smart Mailboxes by choosing Mailbox > New Smart Mailbox or Edit Smart Mailbox. VIPs are contacts that you mark as important and whose messages are highlighted and notified separately. You can add or remove VIPs by clicking the star icon next to their name or email address.
Tip 5: How to use Photos to organize, edit, and share your pictures and videos
Photos is Apple's photo and video app that lets you organize, edit, and share your pictures and videos from your Mac and iOS devices. It has many features and functionalities that can help you create and enjoy your memories.
Here are some tips for using Photos:
To organize your photos and videos by time and location, use Moments, Collections, and Years. These are views that group your photos and videos based on when and where they were taken. You can access them by clicking the Photos tab in the sidebar.
To organize your photos and videos by people, places, or things, use Albums, Faces, and Places. Albums are folders that you can create or edit to group your photos and videos by any criteria you like. Faces are albums that automatically group your photos based on the people in them. Places are albums that show your photos on a map based on their location data. You can access them by clicking the Albums tab in the sidebar.
To edit your photos and videos with simple or advanced tools, use Edit mode. You can crop, rotate, enhance, filter, adjust, retouch, and more to your photos and videos. You can access Edit mode by double-clicking a photo or video and clicking the Edit button in the top-right corner of the window.
To share your photos and videos with others, use Share options. You can share them via email, message, social media, AirDrop, iCloud Photo Sharing, or other apps. You can access Share options by selecting one or more photos or videos and clicking the Share button in the toolbar.
Conclusion
Yosemite OS X 10.10 is a great update that brings a lot of new features and improvements to your Mac. Whether you want to download and install it for free, create a bootable installer drive for it, backup your data and prepare your Mac for it, or learn some tips and tricks for using it, we hope this article has helped you. Yosemite OS X 10.10 is a powerful and beautiful operating system that can make your Mac more productive and enjoyable. If you haven't tried it yet, we encourage you to give it a shot and see for yourself. If you have any questions or feedback about Yosemite OS X 10.10, feel free to leave a comment below or contact us. We'd love to hear from you. FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about Yosemite OS X 10.10:
Q: How can I upgrade to Yosemite OS X 10.10 from an older version of OS X?
A: If you're running OS X 10.6.8 or higher, you can upgrade to Yosemite OS X 10.10 for free from the Mac App Store or a bootable installer drive. Just follow the steps in this article for an upgrade installation.
Q: How can I downgrade from Yosemite OS X 10.10 to an older version of OS X?
A: If you want to revert to an older version of OS X, you'll need to erase your Mac's drive and install the older version from scratch. You'll also need a bootable installer drive or a recovery partition for the older version. Make sure you have a backup of your data before you proceed.
Q: How can I fix common problems with Yosemite OS X 10.10?
A: If you encounter any issues with Yosemite OS X 10.10, such as WiFi problems, slow performance, app crashes, etc., you can try some of these solutions:
Restart your Mac and see if the problem persists.
Update your software and apps to the latest versions.
Reset your network settings by choosing Apple menu > System Preferences > Network > Advanced > TCP/IP > Renew DHCP Lease.
Reset your PRAM/NVRAM by restarting your Mac and holding down Command-Option-P-R until you hear the startup sound twice.
Reset your SMC by shutting down your Mac and unplugging the power cord for 15 seconds (for desktops) or pressing Shift-Control-Option and the power button for 10 seconds (for laptops).
Repair your disk permissions by opening Disk Utility and selecting your Mac's drive > First Aid > Repair Disk Permissions.
Reinstall Yosemite OS X 10.10 by booting from your bootable installer drive or recovery partition and choosing Reinstall OS X.
Q: How can I customize Yosemite OS X 10.10 to suit my preferences?
A: You can tweak various settings and options in Yosemite OS X 10.10 to make it more comfortable and convenient for you. For example, you can:
Change the appearance of the Dock, menu bar, Finder, and other elements by choosing Apple menu > System Preferences > General > Appearance.
Change the size and arrangement of icons, text, and other elements by choosing Apple menu > System Preferences > Displays > Resolution > Scaled.
Change the behavior of the trackpad, mouse, keyboard, and other input devices by choosing Apple menu > System Preferences > Trackpad, Mouse, Keyboard, etc.
Change the notifications and sounds for different apps and events by choosing Apple menu > System Preferences > Notifications.
Change the wallpaper, screensaver, desktop icons, and other aspects of your desktop by choosing Apple menu > System Preferences > Desktop & Screen Saver.
Q: How can I learn more about Yosemite OS X 10.10?
A: If you want to explore more features and functionalities of Yosemite OS X 10.10, you can:
Check out the official website for more information and resources.
Read the user guide for detailed instructions and tips.
Watch the video tutorials for visual demonstrations and explanations.
Visit the support page for answers to common questions and solutions to common problems.
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