How to Create a Bootable OS X Mavericks USB Install Key

These are instructions on how to create a bootable OS X Mavericks USB key.

Step One

Connect a 8GB or larger USB key to your computer then launch the Mac App Store from your dock.

Step Two

Navigate to the OS X Mavericks application page and click the Install button. If you are already on, or have already downloaded Mavericks, you may need to click the Download button.

Step Three

Launch Disk Utility from the Applications:Utilities folder.

Step Four

Select your USB thumb drive from the list on the left and click the Partition tab.

Step Five

Set the Partition Layout to 1 Partition, set the Name to 'Mavericks', and set the Format to Mac OS Extended (Journaled).

Step Six

Click the Options button then choose GUID Partition Table from the popup window then click the OK button.

Step Seven

Next click the Apply button to save your changes. When asked to confirm click the Partition button.

Step Eight

Launch Terminal from the Applications:Utilities folder.

Step Nine

Make sure your empty USB key is still inserted. Additionally, make sure you do not have any other volumes named 'Mavericks' except for the one we just created in Step Five.

Execute the following command in the Terminal window to create your OS X Mavericks Install key.

sudo '/Applications/Install OS X Mavericks.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia' --volume '/Volumes/Mavericks' --applicationpath '/Applications/Install OS X Mavericks.app' --nointeraction

You will be asked to enter your Administrative account password.

Step Ten

After about 15 minutes the creation of your USB Install Key for OS X Mavericks will be complete.

Step Eleven

You may now restart your Mac and hold down the Option key after hearing the boot sound. You'll be presented with a list of bootable drives. Select the USB install key.