It includes information on the choices you have when you perform a clean install.
This guide focuses on the “clean install” method.
That includes OS X, your user data, and personal files.
Back up your data before you begin.
After you back up your data, download El Capitan from the Mac App Store.
You don’t need a bootable USB drive.
Insert the USB flash drive containing the El Capitan installer into your Mac.
start your Mac whileholding down the Option keyto display theOS X Startup Manager.
SelectOS X El Capitan installeron the USB flash drive and then pressReturnto start up the Mac from the installer.
In the left sidebar of Disk Utility, choose the volume you want to erase.
It will likely be named “Macintosh HD,” unless you renamed it at some point.
With the proper volume selected, chooseEraseat the top of the Disk Utility window.
Leave the name or enter a new one.
Just below the volume name field is the format.
Make sureOS X Extended (Journaled)is selected and then selectErase.
Disk Utility erases and formats the selected drive.
Once the process is complete, quitDisk Utility.
The file is labeledInstall OS X El Capitan.
The installation processes are the same going forward for both clean install methods.
In the Install OS X window, selectContinue.
The El Capitan license agreement will display.
If you’d like, read through the terms and conditions.
Confirm your agreement and selectAgree.
The El Capitan installer displays the default target for the installation.
If it is correct, selectInstall.
If it isn’t correct, selectShowAll Disksand go for the correct target disk.
drop your administrator password and selectOK.
The installer copies the needed files to the drive you selected and then restarts.
A progress bar display with an estimate of the remaining time.
The assistant helps you through the process of configuring your Mac and operating system.
When the Welcome screen appears, select which country your Mac will be used in.
Select your keyboard layout and chooseContinue.
TheTransfer Information to This Macwindow appears.
Choose to enableLocation Servicesor leave it off and selectContinue.
A window drops down asking you to confirm that you do not want to use Location Services.
Some apps, such as Find My Mac, require Location Services to be turned on.
Make your selection and chooseContinue.
Once again, it’s possible for you to do this at a later date.
Make your selection by selectingAlloworNot Now.
The Terms and Conditions for using El Capitan and related services will display.
Read through the terms and selectAgree.
A window will display, asking you to confirm the agreement.
TheCreate a Computer Accountoption displays.
This is theadministrator account, so be sure to note the username and password you selected.
The window will look slightly different depending on whether you choose to use your Apple Account or not.
In the first case, you have the option to sign in to your Mac using your Apple Account.
In this case, you only need to provide your full name and an account name.
We recommend using a name with no spaces or special characters.
Make your selections and then selectContinue.
The information is sent anonymously.
Make your selection, then selectContinue.
The setup process is complete.
Why Perform a Clean Install?
Before you begin an installation, verify that your Mac is capable ofrunning OS X El Capitan.
There’s no special, custom-made startup environment needed.
Just start up the installer and go.
The result, if it were possible, would be acrashed Mac.
That includes OS X, your user data, and personal files.
No matter the method, you should have a current backup of the existing startup drive’s contents.
you might even useDisk Utility.
Before proceeding with the installation, it’s important to take the time to create a current backup.
