How to install X11 in OS X
October 22nd, 2006 by Ross McKillop |
Print This Post
NOTE: As of OS X 10.5 (Leopard) X11 is installed by default. Unless you went out of your way not to install it during the Leopard installation, you’ll find it in /usr/X11
–
In preparation for a series of tutorials on The Gimp, this tutorial will guide you in installing X11, a required system for the Gimp to run in OS X.
This tutorial is for OS X 10.4 (Tiger). If you’re a 10.3 (Panther) user, visit this page to download X11 if it’s not on your OS X install CD.
- Insert your OS X Tiger Install Disc (#1). Scroll down to locate the Optional Installs icon (it’s embarrassing how long it took me to figure that out) and double-click it
- Click Continue on the first screen
- Read the Software License Agreement and then click Continue
- Click Agree
- Select a location and (you guessed it) click Continue
- Click the small triangle directly next to Applications and then place a check in the box labeled X11. When you’re ready, click Upgrade.
- Enter your password when prompted, and then click OK
- The installation won’t take too long
- After X11 has successfully installed, click Close
- X11 can now be found in Applications > Utilities > X11
![[del.icio.us]](http://images.del.icio.us/static/img/delicious.small.gif){kind=small}
28 Responses to “How to install X11 in OS X”
By jenn on Dec 13, 2006 | Reply
*thank you* for posting these directions in detail! i’ve been pulling my hair out trying to find how to install x11 for an entire day. and they are exceptionally clear. *thanks!!!*
By andy k. on Dec 14, 2006 | Reply
Yo, big ups and mad respect! I can’t believe Apple doesn’t make this easier to figure out. The “scroll down” hint was key.
thanks a million
By nadir on Dec 22, 2006 | Reply
great…..thanks for the hint…I lost few hours looking for the x11.amazing how is hidden…just a scrool down.
By Aashna on Mar 13, 2007 | Reply
Thanks for the info!!
It’s so not cool that Steve Job could be so sneaky………
By James on Mar 14, 2007 | Reply
Thank you so much for the scroll down hint. I can’t believe that it is so hard to figure that out.
By Chigozie on Mar 15, 2007 | Reply
The link to a X11 download from the apple website is outdated. However, it can be found at http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/x11formacosx.html
By Crow on Mar 21, 2007 | Reply
Thank you. Don’t know how I managed, but I also overlooked the “scroll down”
Much obliged!
By Aaress on Mar 22, 2007 | Reply
THANKS at ton! I’ve been wracking my brain to find x11 on my system!
By Kerry Sanders on Apr 20, 2007 | Reply
Excellent! I am embarrassed to say that I did not notice that the window had other items that had to be scrolled to when I first saw it today as well. I knew that I did not want to go through the regular install, because it included all of the base OS X files. Thanks for posting these instructions!
By Abdi on Apr 28, 2007 | Reply
Thanks a lot, i was really struggling with this. I have to say your instructions were an absolute life saver. Thanks again.
By Kiana on May 16, 2007 | Reply
Hi
Thanks for the easy and straight forward (and humble) instructions. Believe it or not I also had problems finding the “Optional Installs” icon!!! They hide it well .
By bermarte on Jul 29, 2007 | Reply
Thank you, max.respect for people like you.
By Eric S on Jul 31, 2007 | Reply
Thanks, this was really helpful.
By angelina on Aug 7, 2007 | Reply
I have X11 installed, on Mac OS 10.4.9.
I have been trying to use GIMP and Gimpshop, with no success, I tried also to find links and sites for it but it gets hard for me to find. X11 launches all right, but Gimp doesn’t -or rather, it does, but I have no Menus (File etc).
When Gimp is running, the only menus at the top of my screen are for X11. I cannot process any images that way.
What is at fault? X11 or Gimp?
Thanks
By james waters on Aug 28, 2007 | Reply
looking forward to useing this site
By Miguel Lazu on Sep 16, 2007 | Reply
Thank You!!!!!!!!
By scoop on Oct 26, 2007 | Reply
“Scroll down” !!! *smacks head*
thx
By fred gannett on Oct 27, 2007 | Reply
Install is much the same in Leopard as 10.4. X is part of the optional installs on the DVD as is Xcode.
Gannett
By Ross McKillop on Oct 28, 2007 | Reply
@fred gannett:
Actually X11 is installed by default in Leopard. You have to go out of your way NOT to install it. Unless you’re referring to a developer built (I’ve only used the actual final/released version that came out a couple days ago).
By Reif on Apr 27, 2008 | Reply
OK, so I have aMacBook Pro, with no Tiger Install disk.
How do I find the X11 installer?
By Ross McKillop on Apr 27, 2008 | Reply
Reif,
To the best of my knowledge, you can’t. Apple doesn’t offer X11 for Tiger as a download (or, they didn’t as of 3-4 months ago). You need the Tiger disc.