Learn how to easily create a bootable USB for macOS High Sierra from your Windows computer with this step-by-step guide.Are you looking to create a bootable USB for macOS High Sierra from your Windows computer? In this article, we will provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to easily accomplish this task, even if you are not an expert in tech.
How To Create High Sierra Bootable USB from Windows
Creating a macOS High Sierra bootable USB from a Windows PC involves several steps, as macOS installation files are not natively supported on Windows. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you accomplish this:
What You Need
- A USB drive with at least 8GB of storage.
- Access to a macOS High Sierra installer file (Install macOS High Sierra.app). You can download this from the App Store on a Mac.
- TransMac (paid software with a 15-day trial) or similar software capable of handling APFS file system and creating bootable macOS USBs.
Steps to Create a macOS High Sierra Bootable USB
Step 1: Prepare the USB Drive
- Insert your USB drive into your Windows PC.
- Download and install TransMac from Acute Systems. You may need to run it as an administrator.
Step 2: Format the USB Drive
- Open TransMac, and right-click on your USB drive in the left pane.
- Select “Format Disk for Mac”. This will erase all data on the USB drive, so make sure to back up any important files beforehand.
Step 3: Create the Bootable USB
- Once the format is complete, right-click the USB drive again in TransMac, and select “Restore with Disk Image”.
- A dialog box will appear. Click on the three dots to browse and select your macOS High Sierra installer file (you need to have the .dmg file extracted from the installer package).
- Choose the .dmg file for macOS High Sierra and proceed to open it. The restoration process will begin, and this could take some time depending on the speed of your USB drive and PC.
Step 4: Complete the Process
- After the process is completed, safely eject the USB drive from your Windows PC.
- Your USB drive is now bootable and contains macOS High Sierra. You can use it to install macOS on a compatible Mac by holding down the Option (⌥) key while booting up the Mac, and then selecting the USB drive from the boot menu.
Additional Notes
- Legality and Compatibility: Ensure that you have a legal copy of macOS High Sierra. Also, check the compatibility of your Mac with macOS High Sierra.
- Data Loss: This process will erase all data on the USB drive. Ensure you have backups if needed.
- Technical Considerations: If you encounter issues with TransMac, make sure you are using the latest version and that the .dmg file is not corrupted.
Using TransMac is one of the easiest ways to create a macOS bootable USB from a Windows environment due to the proprietary nature of macOS file systems and installation protocols.
In Conclusion
Creating a bootable USB for macOS High Sierra from your Windows computer may seem like a daunting task, but with the right tools and guidance, it can be a straightforward process. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can ensure that you have a backup plan in place in case your Mac encounters any issues. Happy booting!
