How to Create a Bootable USB Drive for Mac OS Lion

If you're looking to install Mac OS Lion on your computer, but don't have a CD or DVD drive, creating a bootable USB drive is the perfect solution. In this article, we'll guide you through the steps to create a bootable USB drive for Mac OS Lion.

Step 1: Download the Installation File

The first step is to download the installation file for Mac OS Lion from the Apple Store online or the Mac App Store. Make sure you have enough free space on your computer to download and save the file.

Step 2: Copy the InstallESD.dmg File

Once you've downloaded the installation file, copy it to the desktop. This may take some time, so be patient. Right-click an empty area on the desktop and select 'Paste Item' from the pop-up menu.

Step 3: Open the Contents Folder

Right-click the InstallESD.dmg file and select 'Copy InstallESD.dmg' from the pop-up menu. This will create a copy of the installation file on your computer.

Step 4: Find the Installation File

Open the Contents folder and then open the SharedSupport folder. Right-click the 'Install OS X Mountain Lion' file and select 'Show Package Contents' from the pop-up menu. Scroll through the list of files and find the file called 'Install OS X Mountain Lion'.

Step 5: Copy the File to a USB Drive

Open the Finder window and go to the Applications folder (/Applications). The installation file you need is contained in the 'Install OS X Mountain Lion' file that you downloaded from the Mac App Store. You can use a USB flash drive with at least 8GB capacity as a bootable medium.

Step 6: Create a Bootable USB Drive

Insert your USB drive and open the Disk Utility program. Select the USB drive from the list of devices on the left side of the window, then click the 'Burn' button in the top right corner of the window. This will create a bootable copy of the installation file on your USB drive.

Step 7: Boot Your Computer with the USB Drive

Insert the USB drive into your computer and restart it. Immediately hold down the 'Option' key while the computer is booting up. This will allow you to select the USB drive as the startup disk. Select the 'Install OS X Mountain Lion' option from the menu, then follow the installation prompts to install Mac OS Lion on your computer.

By following these steps, you can create a bootable USB drive for Mac OS Lion and install it on your computer without needing a CD or DVD drive.

Create mac os lion bootable usb