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User profile for user: rkasch
rkasch Author
User level: Level 1
9 points

Upgrading 2011 iMac from OS X Lion 10.7.5

I need to upgrade a 2011 iMac from OS X Lion 10.7.5 to a version capable of running and updating browsers. I attempted a download of OS X Sierra 10.12 (reportedly the highest version compatible with this model), but after waiting several hours for it to complete, there was nothing in the download folder to install. Not sure if I tried to 'leap' over too many intermediate versions. Suggestions?

iMac 21.5″, macOS 10.13

Posted on May 31, 2022 7:32 PM

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User profile for user: Allan Jones
Allan Jones
User level: Level 9
71,840 points

Posted on Jun 2, 2022 7:38 AM

If you look at the Apple article D. I. Johnson links, you will see that you cannot go directly from Lion to High Sierra.



You will need to go to Sierra or less, then use the High Sierra updater.


Some tips:


  • Make sure the computer is running normally before upgrading. Upgrading the OS is not a way to service problems.
  • Use Safari of the downloads. Older versions of other browsers may give unexpected results.
  • If you see a message about a "damaged file," don't panic. It only means the installer found an older, outdated version of itself in your Applications folder. Remove the old version and things should work normally.


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User profile for user: Allan Jones
Allan Jones
User level: Level 9
71,840 points

Jun 2, 2022 7:38 AM in response to rkasch

If you look at the Apple article D. I. Johnson links, you will see that you cannot go directly from Lion to High Sierra.



You will need to go to Sierra or less, then use the High Sierra updater.


Some tips:


  • Make sure the computer is running normally before upgrading. Upgrading the OS is not a way to service problems.
  • Use Safari of the downloads. Older versions of other browsers may give unexpected results.
  • If you see a message about a "damaged file," don't panic. It only means the installer found an older, outdated version of itself in your Applications folder. Remove the old version and things should work normally.


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Upgrading 2011 iMac from OS X Lion 10.7.5

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