ARCHIVED: In Mac OS X, how do I run PowerPC applications with Rosetta?

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In Mac OS X, Rosetta is the software that allows programs designed for PowerPC processors to work on Macs with Intel processors. It is included by default in Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger) and 10.5 (Leopard), and is an optional install in 10.6 (Snow Leopard). It is not available in 10.7 and later, which no longer support PowerPC-only applications.

If you have Mac OS X 10.4 or 10.5, you don't need to do anything to use Rosetta. In 10.6, normally, when you launch a PowerPC application, Software Update will open and offer to install Rosetta for you. If it doesn't, you can manually install it as follows:

  1. Insert your Mac OS X 10.6 installation disc, either a retail Snow Leopard disc or the installation disc that came with your computer.
  2. From the desktop, double-click the disc to open it. Then open the Optional Installs folder, and double-click the Optional Installs.mpkg package.
  3. Follow the instructions on the screen. When prompted to choose a destination, select your startup disk. Then click Continue.
  4. Click Rosetta, and then click Continue.
  5. Click Install.

Once you've installed Rosetta, you should be able to use PowerPC applications normally.

This is document azjd in the Knowledge Base.
Last modified on 2018-01-18 16:21:38.