El Capitan For Mac Mini

With yesterday’s software updates El Capitan fell off the security patch bandwagon, as expected. Apply historically only patches software for the current software plus two versions prior. So that means Mojave, High Sierra, and Sierra. The good news though, is that if you have a compatible computer software upgrades from Apple are free.

Mac mini mid 2010 or later; iMac late 2009 or later; Mac Pro mid 2010 or later; Download High Sierra on the Mac App Store. MacOS Sierra has the same requirements as High Sierra, so if you can I’d suggest going to High Sierra because it will receive security patches for longer. Mac Pro introduced in early 2008 or later Xserve models introduced in early 2009. To find your Mac model, memory, storage space and macOS version, choose About This Mac from the Apple menu. If your Mac isn't compatible with OS X El Capitan, the installer will let you know. I am running El Capitan on a Mac Mini late 2012 (it’s like new with 3 years warranty). I have slow wifi and trying to follow you instructions but I don’t have a SystemConfiguration folder. I can go to /Library/Preferences/ and that is it. Stack Exchange network consists of 176 Q&A communities including Stack Overflow, the largest, most trusted online community for developers to learn, share.

Not sure what version you are running? Here’s how to find out. Don’t assume that you’re on the latest version because your computer automatically updates itself. Normally auto-update only installs updates for your current software. Usually it will offer to upgrade you to a new version once, but if you dismiss the offer to upgrade it doesn’t persist. You then have to choose to get it from the Mac App Store.

If you have a computer running El Capitan still I highly recommend you upgrade to a newer version if possible, or retire your computer if it cannot be upgraded. As security holes are found, Apple will no longer patch El Capitan. And at some point shortly after that software developers will stop making their software compatible which you’ll first notice means your web browser will stop functioning properly on the internet.

If you insist on keeping an obsolete computer please be careful and be aware of the risks. You should at the very least stop using Safari since that’s communicating directly with the internet and is no longer going to get updated. Firefox is a good alternative because they often support system software for two years longer than Apple does. Google Chrome only maintains support about one year after.

As an alternative to completely retiring the computer, you can install an alternate OS such as Linux, but the specifics of that are far more than I could cover in this post.

For most people, I would suggest upgrading to macOS Mojave if your Mac supports it. Mojave will receive security patches until the fall of 2021. High Sierra will get security patches until fall of 2020, and Sierra until the fall of 2019.

To find out what model and year Mac you have go to the Apple menu > About this Mac.

macOS Mojave runs on 2012 or later Macs (or 2010 Mac Pro desktops with an upgraded Metal-capable graphics card):

Developer: Apple

macOS High Sierra can run on any:

MacBook late 2009 or later
MacBook Air late 2010 or later
MacBook Pro mid 2010 or later
Mac mini mid 2010 or later
iMac late 2009 or later
Mac Pro mid 2010 or later

Download High Sierra on the Mac App Store.

macOS Sierra has the same requirements as High Sierra, so if you can I’d suggest going to High Sierra because it will receive security patches for longer. But if for some reason you’d rather move to Sierra you can download Sierra on the Mac App Store.

Check compatibility

You can upgrade to OS X El Capitan from OS X Snow Leopard or later on any of the following Mac models. Your Mac also needs at least 2GB of memory and 8.8GB of available storage space.

MacBook introduced in 2009 or later, plus MacBook (13-inch, Aluminum, Late 2008)
MacBook Air introduced in late 2008 or later
MacBook Pro introduced in mid 2007 or later
Mac mini introduced in early 2009 or later
iMac introduced in mid 2007 or later
Mac Pro introduced in early 2008 or later
Xserve models introduced in early 2009

To find your Mac model, memory, storage space, and macOS version, choose About This Mac from the Apple menu . If your Mac isn't compatible with OS X El Capitan, the installer will let you know.

Make a backup

Before installing any upgrade, it’s a good idea to back up your Mac. Time Machine makes it simple, and other backup methods are also available. Learn how to back up your Mac.

Get connected

It takes time to download and install OS X, so make sure that you have a reliable Internet connection. If you're using a Mac notebook computer, plug it into AC power.

Download OS X El Capitan

For the strongest security and latest features, find out whether you can upgrade to macOS Catalina, the latest version of macOS.

If you still need OS X El Capitan, use this link: Download OS X El Capitan. A file named InstallMacOSX.dmg will download to your Mac.

How To Download El Capitan

Install the macOS installer

Double-click the downloaded file to open a window showing its contents. Then double-click the file within, named InstallMacOSX.pkg.

Apple El Capitan Free Download

Follow the onscreen instructions, which will guide you through the steps necessary to install.