So you have a Mac but also want to run Windows? You’re in luck: shortly after the first Intel-based Macs arrived on the market in 2009, Apple released a tool called Boot Camp, which lets Mac owners install and start their machines natively in Microsoft Windows. With the press of a button, you can switch between Mac and Windows every time your computer turns on.
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STEP 1: Select OS Family. Windows; Mac; Linux; Mobile. 2008 x64 / 2003 / 2003 x64;: Network Connection Repair ToolWin10 / Win10 x64 / Win8.1.
Probably the most common reason Mac owners use Boot Camp is to play Windows-only games. For instance, PC MMOs such as Star Trek Online, Tera, and Star Wars: The Old Republic only run on Windows.
Boot Camp is also better at running Windows software than virtual machines like Parallels or, which are programs that simultaneously run Windows inside Mac’s operating system. Without further ado, here’s how to set up Boot Camp and install Windows. Check system requirements, then buy Windows First off, you’ll need a 64-bit edition of Windows.
Which version depends on your Mac’s age: Those from mid-2012 and newer support Windows 8 and 10, while models from early-2012 only support Windows 7 and 8. For Windows 10, you can get a copy of the Home version as either a USB stick or download. For older versions of Windows, you’ll have to go through retailers like. Since different versions of Windows have different system requirements for the amount of RAM, hard drive space, and processor speed, you’ll want to double-check to make sure your system can run that edition comfortably. Here’s how:. Examine the system requirements for the version of Windows you plan on buying:,. Next, click on the Apple menu in the upper left and choose About This Mac.
Compare your Mac’s specs for Processor and Memory (RAM) against those listed in the Windows system requirements. If your Mac doesn’t meet the criteria, you’ll need to choose a version of Windows with lower system requirements.
Make sure your Mac has enough hard drive space To use Boot Camp, you’ll need at least 55 GB of free space on your Mac’s hard drive. Boot Camp says it only needs 50 GB, but Apple’s own online support document recommends 55GB. Play it safe and go with the large allocation. To see available hard drive space, click on the Apple menu in the upper left and then select About This Mac. Click Storage so you can see how much free space on your hard drive. If you don’t have 55 GB free, you’ll have to delete or transfer files until you do.
Of some of the best tools to free up space on your Mac. Check for updates and backup Before you run Boot Camp, Apple recommends you have the latest software update and that you backup your important files. (Need help backing up your data? Our sister site Macworld has put together.). Click the Apple menu in the upper left and then hit App Store. Go to Updates and install any software updates for macOS.
Restart your computer if prompted. After restarting, check for software updates again until no new ones are available. Because Boot Camp will be moving and re-allocating space on your hard drive, you should back up any important data before you continue, in case anything becomes corrupted during the process. Install Windows Time for the main event.
If you have a Mac from 2015 or later, the process is a bit simpler. Have an older Mac or a copy of Windows on a DVD or flash drive? Skip to “Installing Windows on pre-2015 Macs” or “Install Windows from flash drive or external optical drive,” below. Post-2015 Macs: Install Windows from an ISO file This method is probably the easiest way to install Windows, but it only works for Macs from 2015 and up. or another licensed distributor.
Quit all open applications and then open up a Finder window. Click on Applications and then go into the Utilities folder. Open Boot Camp Assistant, then click Continue. Now select Choose to the right of the ISO Image box to locate your Windows ISO file. The next step is to partition your hard drive. You’ll see a slider representing your hard drive, which lets you decide how much hard-drive space to allocate to your Windows partition. Move the slider to give your Windows partition more or less space. Remember that any space you assign will be taken from the available space for your Mac, and that macOS will run more efficiently if you leave at least 30 to 40GB of space free on its partition.
Equally, keep in mind that you’ll need enough space for Windows’ system files, any software you plan on installing, and a buffer of free space. (We recommend a 5GB margin at minimum.). Once you’re satisfied with your partition, hit Install. Your Mac will eventually boot into Windows’ setup. When the installation process asks to install Windows, be sure to select the drive labelled BOOTCAMP. Windows will now start to install.
You’ll then need to make some selections for things like language, keyboard layout, and account details. It’ll take several minutes to finish the setup process. Eventually, you’ll reach the Windows desktop. The Boot Camp Installer should then appear in a new window. Accept the terms of the license agreement and it will start installing any necessary drivers. After it’s finished installing, you’ll be asked to restart the system, click Yes.
If you installed Windows 10, you should also use Apple Software Update to prevent known driver issues. Make sure you’re connected to the internet and then click the Start button in the bottom left and open Apple Software Update. In the top box, select all of the available updates and then click Install items.
(You can also choose to install New Software, like iCloud, if you want.) Windows will ask if you want to allow Apple Software Update to make changes, click Yes. After the installations complete, you’ll be asked to restart. Click OK and your Mac should now reboot into a fully functioning version of Windows 10!
To switch between your Mac and Windows partition, hold down the Option key during a boot or reboot sequence to bring up the OS-selection menu. Installing Windows on pre-2015 Macs While Macs from pre-2015 can still run Windows, the installation process is slightly more complex. The more straightforward method (and our preferred option) is to use Boot Camp Assistant, but you can also do it from a flash drive or disc. Run Boot Camp Assistant. Quit all open applications and then open up a Finder window. Click Applications and then go into Utilities.
IDG. In the Utilities folder, double-click Boot Camp Assistant to launch. Click Continue to begin setup. Make sure Download the latest Windows support software from Apple is checked.
This software will allow you to install the most current drivers for Windows. Now click Continue.
IDG. If asked for your administrative credentials, fill them in. Then press Enter to start downloading the software. You’ll need to install the Windows support software to a USB drive that you’ve plugged into the Mac. IDG.
After the download finishes, the assistant will prompt you to create a Windows partition on your hard drive. This action segments your drive to devote free space only for Windows, without interfering with or erasing your existing macOS installation. At this point, you’ll see a slider representing your hard drive. Here you can decide how much hard-drive space to allocate to your Windows partition. Adjust the slider to give your Windows partition more or less free space. Remember that any space you assign will be taken from the available space for your Mac, and that macOS will run more efficiently if you leave at least 30 to 40GB of space free on its partition. Equally, keep in mind that you’ll need enough space for Windows’ system files, any software you plan on installing, and a buffer of free space.
(We recommend a 5GB margin at minimum.). When you’re satisfied with your partitioning scheme, click Partition. OS X will begin partitioning and rearranging your hard-drive data, a process that may take some time. Install Windows from flash drive or external optical drive This method takes a bit of patience so bear with us. (An easier alternative is using an ISO management software like to mount a downloaded Windows ISO without a flash drive or DVD.). Insert your Windows installation DVD into an external USB optical drive.
Or if your version of Windows came with a flash drive, insert that. Once the media comes up in Finder, hit Go, then select Utilities Disk Utility. In Disk Utility, select the USB optical drive or the flash drive so it’s highlighted. Under File, select New Image and choose the Windows DVD or flash drive. From the Image Format menu, select DVD/CD and choose None for encryption.
IDG. Save the file with a name and enter your username and password if prompted. A progress bar will appear, and it may take awhile to complete. Once it’s done saving, eject your Windows DVD or flash drive. If you used an external USB drive, disconnect it after the DVD is ejected. With Finder, locate the disk image you saved in step 6.
Click on it just once to select it and then choose Enter to rename the file. You’ll want to rename it with the file extension “.iso” at the end.
A window will appear where you should select “Use.iso”. Apple. Go back to Applications Utilities, and then open Boot Camp Assistant. Make sure the boxes following boxes are checked: Create a Windows 8 or later version install disk; Download the latest Windows support software from Apple; and Install Windows 8 or later version. Apple. Locate your renamed ISO file when prompted and click OK to begin installing Windows. Still having trouble installing Windows?
Refer to your for more help. How to choose your operating system at startup Now that you have both macOS and Windows installed and functioning on your Mac, you can choose which operating system to launch at startup. When you turn on or restart your computer, hold down the Option key to bring up the OS-selection menu. Apple. Make your choice by double-clicking either OS X or Windows.
. What you'll need before you install Windows 10 on your Mac Before starting anything else, be sure you have a Mac that supports Windows 10. Straight from, these are the compatible models:. MacBook Pro (2012 and later). MacBook Air (2012 and later). MacBook (2015 and later).
iMac (2012 and later). Mac mini (2012 and later). Mac mini Server (Late 2012). Mac Pro (Late 2013) Do you have a Mac that can run Windows 10? Make sure you have at least 32GB of free space on your hard drive for the Windows installation. During the installation process, you can set the Windows partition to whatever size you want, as long as the drive has enough storage.
Finally, update your Mac's OS to ensure there are no compatibility problems. You'll also want to perform a backup of your Mac in the (rare) case that something goes wrong. How to download the Windows 10 ISO file To start, we need to grab a Windows 10 ISO file from the Microsoft website. You can download it straight to your internal hard drive. Navigate to the. Click the dropdown menu below Select edition. Click Windows 10 in the Windows 10 Anniversary Update section.
You can download the Creators Update through Windows once it is installed. Click Confirm.
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Click the dropdown menu below Select the product language. Click your language of choice. Click Confirm. Click 64-bit Download. Click Save.
The ISO file will now be downloaded. Once the file has finished downloading, continue on to the next set of steps. How to install Windows 10 with Boot Camp Once you've downloaded a Windows 10 ISO, you can complete the following steps.
Launch Boot Camp Assistant from the Utilities folder in Applications. Click Continue. Boot Camp should automatically locate the ISO file on your system. Click and drag the slider in the partition section. It will be set to 48GB by default, but you can add as much storage as you want within the limits of the drive.
Click Install. Windows support software will now be downloaded. Type your password. Your Mac will restart and you will see the Windows 10 setup screen.
Choose your language. Click Install Now. Type your product key or click I don't have a key. You can enter it after the installation.
Click either Windows 10 Pro or Windows 10 Pro based on your preference. Click Next. Click Custom: Install Windows Only. Click Drive 0 Partition X: BOOTCAMP.
Do not choose anything else. Click Next.
Windows 10 will now be installed. Your Mac will restart several times during the process. Click Use Express Settings or Customize Your Installation when the Windows 10 setup screen appears.
In this case, we use express settings, as all can be changed after the installation. Type a username. You can also add a password. Click Next. Choose to use or not to use Cortana.
Windows 10 will now boot fully, and you'll be able to use Windows normally. How to install Boot Camp software on your Windows 10 partition When Windows 10 loads for the first time on your Mac, a Boot Camp software installer will automatically pop up. Click Install. Click I accept the terms in the license agreement.
Click Install. Click Finish when the installation is complete. This is an important process, as it installs a bunch of drivers and software that will help make your Windows 10 experience as good as possible on your Mac.
How to return to macOS from Windows 10 One of the best parts of Boot Camp is how easy it is to switch back and forth between operating systems. Click the Show hidden icons button in the Windows 10 taskbar. Click the Boot Camp button. Click Restart in OS X.
Your Mac will now restart, and you'll be brought right back to macOS. To get back to Windows 10, and indeed another way to switch from Windows 10 to macOS, is to restart your Mac and hold down the Option key on your keyboard until a boot menu appears. From here, you can choose which OS to load. Updating Windows 10 and more Now that you have Windows 10 installed on your Mac, you can update it to the Creators Update.
The easiest way to do so is to use Windows Update. Click the Start button.
Click the Settings button. It looks like a gear. Click Update & security.
Click Check for updates. The Creators Update should begin downloading and will install. Follow the steps on screen, and you'll be up to date in no time. Looking for more Windows 10 Creators Update help?
Check out the ultimate guide over on Windows Central. Updated June 25, 2017: We've done a complete overhaul on this guide to ensure you're getting correct, current information concerning Windows 10 on your Mac. This post may contain affiliate links. See our for more details.