Using InstallESD.dmg in a virtual machine is straightforward, as many virtualization programs can mount DMG files directly. Here's how to use it:
This will erase the USB drive and create a bootable installer. Installing Mac OS X Lion Once the USB is prepared: Insert the USB into the target Mac. Restart and immediately hold down the Option (Alt) key. Select the USB Installer from the boot menu.
Mac OS X Lion 10.7: How to Download the InstallESD.dmg If you are maintaining a legacy Mac or reviving an older machine, obtaining a legitimate copy of is often the first hurdle. While modern versions of macOS are delivered as simplified .app bundles, Lion relies on a specific disk image file— InstallESD.dmg —to create bootable media and perform clean installations. 1. Official Download of Mac OS X 10.7 Lion mac lion os x 10.7 - installesd.dmg download
If you are on a modern Mac that won't let you open the old installer, or if you are on a Windows PC trying to save an old machine: How to Download Mac OS X Lion and Mountain Lion for Free!
(no longer sold new – eBay/secondhand risky) Using InstallESD
You will find there. Copy this to your desktop. 💿 Creating a Bootable USB
The official download for is available for free from Apple for users with older hardware. To access the InstallESD.dmg (the actual system image), you must first download the installer package, which then places the installation app in your Applications folder. Download and Extraction Restart and immediately hold down the Option (Alt) key
To get to the core InstallESD.dmg file, you need to extract it from the Apple download. Follow these steps on a working Mac: Step 1: Mount the Downloaded Container
