Where to things go when you download them from the App Store on OS X (El Capitan)?

[spamalatte]

I upgraded my OS using the App Store, but I would like to save off the copy of El Capitan that got installed. When I go to my App Store Purchase History, there is a button next to OS versions that says "DOWNLOAD". When I click it, I get a message saying that I already installed this OS, but can download it again. When I click "OK", it downloads again to my machine.

Where do the files go when they're done downloading? Don't tell me that they all go to the Applications directory, because that's wrong.

I looked in ~/Library/Application Support/App Store, but there's nothing there. I assume that files get downloaded to some temporary location and then moved somewhere afterwards, but I'm wondering if I can save off a copy of package files or disk images to my own location.

 

[spamalatte]

Never mind, I found out that you have to let it start the installer and then quit after choosing the language option. The file will then be in Applications folder. (It isn't put there until you do this.) The filename is something like "Install OS X El Capitan".

 

[\-V-/]

Yeah ... takes a while.

 

[DeltaMac]

The OS X installer app goes to the Applications folder.
I have downloaded it a dozen times. That's the only place it downloads to...
Look for the app. You might not see it until the download completes. Even if you do, the name will be different during the download. The installer will automatically launch when the download completes. Quit the installer.
Then, in the Applications folder, you will find the app named Install OS X El Capitan.

Remember that the OS X installer app deletes itself as a last step during the install.
So, you would quit it before actually installing.
And, you can save it to any other location that you like.

Ah, OK, looks like you found it without our help... Just takes a while

 

[elsonarah]

The filename is something like "Install OS X El Capitan".