Note, that to install the Lion or Mountain Lion, your Mac needs to be running Snow Leopard so you can install the newer OS on top of it. How to get macOS El Capitan download. If you are wondering if you can run El Capitan on an older Mac, rejoice as it’s possible too. But before your Mac can run El Capitan it has to be updated to OS X 10.6.8. How to Perform a Clean Install of OS X El Capitan. OS X El Capitan (OS X 10.11) offers two installation methods. This guide focuses on the 'clean install' method. When you install El Capitan on your current startup drive with the clean install method, you erase everything on the drive. That includes OS X, your user data, and personal files. OS X El Capitan supports two methods of installation. The default method is an upgrade install, which will upgrade your Mac to El Capitan while preserving all of your user data and apps.This is the most common means of upgrading the operating system and is recommended when your Mac is in good shape and having no problems.

On this page:

• Reinstall El Capitan on a computer alreadyrunning it

Install Os X El Capitan Download

Upgrade from previous versions to OS X 10.11 (El Capitan)

1. From the Apple menu, select App Store....
2. When the App Store opens, search for and download El Capitan. If you don't already have an Apple ID, you'll need to create one. You can monitor the download process in the 'Purchased' section of the App Store.
3. Once the download is complete, the installer should automatically open.

   If it doesn't, or you don't want to complete the installation at this time, you can come back later and double-click Install OS X El Capitan in your Applications folder.

   Within the installer, click Continue, agree to the license agreement, and then choose the disk where you want to install El Capitan.

   After you begin the installation, your computer may need to restart more than once before finishing, and then you may be asked to enter basic information.

4. From the Apple menu, select App Store..., and then install any available updates.

Reinstall El Capitan on a computer already running it

Install Os X El Capitan Download

Reinstall while keeping files, applications, and settings

1. Restart your computer, and immediately hold down command-r until the gray Apple logo appears.
2. If prompted, select your main language and then click the arrow.
3. Click Reinstall OS X, and then Continue. Follow the instructions on the screen, and then choose your hard disk. Click Install, and enter your Apple ID information if prompted.
4. When the installation is complete, select App Store... from the Apple menu, and install any available updates.

Reinstall while erasing everything on your computer

Install Os X El Capitan

1. Restart your computer, and immediately hold down command-r until the gray Apple logo appears.

2. If you see a screen asking you to select your main language, choose it, and then click the arrow.
3. Click Disk Utility, and then Continue.
4. In Disk Utility:
   1. Click your hard disk in the left column, and then click the Erase tab.
   2. Next to 'Format:', make sure OS X Extended (Journaled) is selected. In the 'Name:' field, give your disk a name. Click Erase.
   3. Once it's completed, quit Disk Utility.
5. Click Reinstall OS X, and then Continue:
   1. Follow the instructions on the screen, and then choose your hard disk.
   2. Click Install. If prompted, enter your Apple ID information.
   3. Once the installation is complete, you'll be asked to enter basic information, and have the option to transfer data from another computer or backup.
6. From the Apple menu, select App Store, and then install any available updates.