Bootable Disk Utility Mac

 



Modern-day laptops and systems do not have CD or DVD writers and you need a bootable USB drive to load or install operating systems. There are a lot of tools out there to create bootable USB drives from ISO files. Some tools allow you to create a single OS USB drive while some others are multi-boot drive creators. These bootable drives are easy to carry and offer faster writing speeds. Here are the 10 best-tested software to make bootable drives.

Create bootable USB Mac disk utility. Download the MacOS High Sierra.dmg file, and extract that anywhere on your Running Mac Virtual Machine. After that open it and drag the Install MacOS High Sierra on Applications. When the Install MacOS High Sierra is copied, attached your USB Flash Drive. Mar 21, 2019 UNetbootin is a free, open source utility that allows you to create bootable USB drives on Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X. If you’ve downloaded Windows 10 ISO image, here is how you can create a bootable Windows installer USB on Mac using UNetbootin. Plug a USB drive into your Mac and open Disk Utility. Feb 08, 2021 Originally developed to create a bootable drive for Windows (XP) operating systems, this tool is updated to create a bootable disk for multiple operating systems including Windows and Linux. No need for installation. Can create both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of windows; Automatically formats and creates partitions in disk.

1. Rufus

Rufus is one of the lightest of all the software tools. Rufus offered a portable version that you can use without having to install it. The tool automatically detects the USB drive and offers to create a bootable drive using MSDOS, ISO, and DD images.

Key Features

  • Fastest software
  • No installation required
  • Supports multiple file system that includes FAT, FAT32, NTFS, UDF, and ExFAT
  • Can create a bootable drive for all versions of windows and Linux distributions.
  • Option to detect bad sectors in the drive before writing files to a USB
  • Easy Interface.

Download Rufus

2. RMPrepUSB

Unlike Rufus, this software requires you to run the setup in order to install it. The installation process is quick and automatically creates a shortcut on the desktop. The best part of this tool is that it is updated regularly. Now let’s peep into its other specifications.

Key Features

  • The interface is complex and cluttered.
  • Can create multiple partitions on a bootable USB drive
  • Capable to create both Windows and Linux bootable drives.
  • Read and Write Speed Test of USB drive
  • Supports four file systems that include FAT16, FAT32, NTFS, and exFAT
  • Option to create an ISO file from Bootable Drive
  • Recommended for Advanced users

3. Universal USB Installer

This tool is offered by Pendrivelinux.com and can be used to create both Linux and Windows bootable USB disks. It is a 3-step process that involves selecting a pre-defined Linux distro or Windows version, browsing ISO file, and finally selecting the USB drive.

Key Features

  • Supports FAT32 and NTFS file systems.
  • Source files include ISO ZIP or DD types
  • Easy installation
  • User-friendly Interface
  • Option to create Anti-Virus rescue disks
  • The tool is free to use and Open source
  • Regular updates

Download UUI

4. WinToBootic

This is a free tool and does not require any installation. But you need to have a .NET Framework installed in order to run this software. You can create only a windows bootable USB drive with this tool and does not support Linux.

Key Features

  • No need for installation
  • Fast conversion
  • Supports Windows 7,8, Vista, 2008 and 2012
  • Source file types include ISO, DVD, and Folder
  • Can create both removable(USB) as well as fixed bootable drive.
  • Can drag and drop the source files on the interface.
  • Simple Interface.

5. YUMI

YUMI aka Your Universal Multi-Boot Installer is also offered by Pendrivelinux.com. This tool is used to create a bootable USB disk for multiple operating systems, antivirus scanners, and other system tools. It is a free and open-source tool.

Key Features

  • Quick installation
  • Option to download ISO file online
  • A large collection of predefined OS, Anti-virus, and other diagnostic tools.
  • Option to view and un-install a particular OS from a bootable drive
  • Supports NTFS and FAT32 file systems.
  • Supports both 32-bit and 64-bit operating systems
  • Can make an Android Bootable disk

Download YUMI

6. Linux Live USB Creator (LiLi)

This is an open-source and free software to create a Live USB drive. As the name suggests, it is used to create only a Linux bootable drive. This tool also tells you if the ISO file is clean or corrupted.

Key Features

  • No need to reboot after completion
  • Can select from a large number of Linux distros.
  • Attractive colorful Interface
  • The persistence feature allows you to save and install your own software.
  • Source files include ISO, ZIP, and IMG
  • Translation to thirty-two different languages
  • Option to download source file online
  • Software tool cab installed on all versions of windows.

Download LiLi

7. WinSetUp From USB

Originally developed to create a bootable drive for Windows (XP) operating systems, this tool is updated to create a bootable disk for multiple operating systems including Windows and Linux.

Key Features

  • No need for installation.
  • Can create both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of windows
  • Automatically formats and creates partitions in disk
  • Can create a bootable disk along with an antivirus rescue disk on a single USB drive
  • Being an open-source tool, it is updated on regular basis by community members.
  • Simple and clear Interface

Download tool

8. UNetBootin

This is another free tool for bootable Live USB creation. It has a collection of pre-defined distributions and system utilities similar to the Universal USB installer but the size of the collection is much small compared to UUI. You can download the software for Windows, Linux, and Mac. (separate files for each OS).

Key Features

  • The option of selecting a distribution from their database (online download) and upload the ISO file from the local
  • Creation of only Linux and related distributions.
  • No need for the installation of software
  • Easy and Simple to understand Interface.
  • Option to create a bootable fixed hard disk and removable USB disk

Download UNetbootIn

9. XBoot

This is yet another multi-boot USB drive creator and can also be used to create a multi-boot ISO file. It is a lightweight application and does not require installation. Presently, it is available to run only on Windows operating system.

Key Features

Bootable
  • Drag and Drop facility for uploading ISO files
  • Installation not required
  • Simple and easy Interface
  • Option to edit the bootloader
  • Supports a number of Linux distros
  • Free tool

Download XBoot

10. Passcape ISO Burner

This is one of the best ISO burners to burn ISO imaged on CD/DVD/USB-Drive/SD cards/ZIP drives. The program is portable and does not copy any files on the hard disk. Although it is free to use the software, it provides lifetime tech support.

Key Features

  • Supports WinXP to Windows 10
  • Simple interface for Beginners
  • Option to extract ISO file on local disk
  • Lightweight Software
  • Need Administrative rights to use all the features.
  • Supports most of the DVD-writers and USB drives.

Download PIB

Bootable Disk Utility Mac Erase Greyed Out

11.Etcher

BalenaEtcher is an open-source utility used to burn files on the hard disk from operating systems such as .iso and .img files to make it a live SD card or USB flash drive. It is considered the best bootable USB creator.

To install an OS on your PC or operate an operating system, you can use these live SD cards or USB drives. If you are into operating systems and penetration testing, BalenaEtcher has made it easier for you.

Key Features

The user-interface it has is the primary aspect that makes Etcher one of the best and most commonly used live USB creators. It has one of the most straightforward user interfaces one can expect from Balena Etcher. No complicated setup or other command-line code you need to enter. Within a couple of taps, the command will be executed. Burning every file on your chosen Operating System takes only three taps.

This command-line interface feature is still under development for those who choose to do this from the command-line interface.

Create a Bootable USB Drive Faster Now


In the year 2017 the sleek Ultrabooks are preferred over heavy laptops and desktop computers, CD drives are vanishing from the hardware. Installation of Windows or Linux is now being done from portable devices like USB or SD cards. Creation of such bootable drives is made easy with these free tools. Which software are you using to create bootable drives? If you are using a tool that is not listed here, share it in the comments section.

These advanced steps are primarily for system administrators and others who are familiar with the command line. You don't need a bootable installer to upgrade macOS or reinstall macOS, but it can be useful when you want to install on multiple computers without downloading the installer each time.

What you need to create a bootable installer

  • A USB flash drive or other secondary volume formatted as Mac OS Extended, with at least 14GB of available storage
  • A downloaded installer for macOS Big Sur, Catalina, Mojave, High Sierra, or El Capitan

Bootable Disk Utility Mac

Download macOS

  • Download: macOS Big Sur, macOS Catalina, macOS Mojave, or macOS High Sierra
    These download to your Applications folder as an app named Install macOS [version name]. If the installer opens after downloading, quit it without continuing installation. To get the correct installer, download from a Mac that is using macOS Sierra 10.12.5 or later, or El Capitan 10.11.6. Enterprise administrators, please download from Apple, not a locally hosted software-update server.
  • Download: OS X El Capitan
    This downloads as a disk image named InstallMacOSX.dmg. On a Mac that is compatible with El Capitan, open the disk image and run the installer within, named InstallMacOSX.pkg. It installs an app named Install OS X El Capitan into your Applications folder. You will create the bootable installer from this app, not from the disk image or .pkg installer.

Use the 'createinstallmedia' command in Terminal

  1. Connect the USB flash drive or other volume that you're using for the bootable installer.
  2. Open Terminal, which is in the Utilities folder of your Applications folder.
  3. Type or paste one of the following commands in Terminal. These assume that the installer is in your Applications folder, and MyVolume is the name of the USB flash drive or other volume you're using. If it has a different name, replace MyVolume in these commands with the name of your volume.

Big Sur:*

Catalina:*

Bootable Disk Utility Mac Os X

Mojave:*

High Sierra:*

El Capitan:

* If your Mac is using macOS Sierra or earlier, include the --applicationpath argument and installer path, similar to the way this is done in the command for El Capitan.

Mac


After typing the command:

  1. Press Return to enter the command.
  2. When prompted, type your administrator password and press Return again. Terminal doesn't show any characters as you type your password.
  3. When prompted, type Y to confirm that you want to erase the volume, then press Return. Terminal shows the progress as the volume is erased.
  4. After the volume is erased, you may see an alert that Terminal would like to access files on a removable volume. Click OK to allow the copy to proceed.
  5. When Terminal says that it's done, the volume will have the same name as the installer you downloaded, such as Install macOS Big Sur. You can now quit Terminal and eject the volume.

Use the bootable installer

Determine whether you're using a Mac with Apple silicon, then follow the appropriate steps:

Apple silicon

Boot Disk Utility For Mac Os X

  1. Plug the bootable installer into a Mac that is connected to the internet and compatible with the version of macOS you're installing.
  2. Turn on your Mac and continue to hold the power button until you see the startup options window, which shows your bootable volumes and a gear icon labled Options.
  3. Select the volume containing the bootable installer, then click Continue.
  4. When the macOS installer opens, follow the onscreen instructions.

Intel processor

  1. Plug the bootable installer into a Mac that is connected to the internet and compatible with the version of macOS you're installing.
  2. Press and hold the Option (Alt) ⌥ key immediately after turning on or restarting your Mac.
  3. Release the Option key when you see a dark screen showing your bootable volumes.
  4. Select the volume containing the bootable installer. Then click the up arrow or press Return.
    If you can't start up from the bootable installer, make sure that the External Boot setting in Startup Security Utility is set to allow booting from external media.
  5. Choose your language, if prompted.
  6. Select Install macOS (or Install OS X) from the Utilities window, then click Continue and follow the onscreen instructions.

Learn more

Bootable Disk Utility Mac Download

For more information about the createinstallmedia command and the arguments that you can use with it, make sure that the macOS installer is in your Applications folder, then enter the appropriate path in Terminal:

Disk Utility Mac Where

  • Big Sur: /Applications/Install macOS Big Sur.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia
  • Catalina: /Applications/Install macOS Catalina.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia
  • Mojave: /Applications/Install macOS Mojave.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia
  • High Sierra: /Applications/Install macOS High Sierra.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia
  • El Capitan: /Applications/Install OS X El Capitan.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia

A bootable installer doesn't download macOS from the internet, but it does require an internet connection to get firmware and other information specific to the Mac model.