Windows and MacOS are the two go-to computer operating systems for the masses. However, it is usually very unlikely that a Windows user will own a Mac and vice versa. So what do you do when there’s a need for both? The obvious answer is to own both types of computers, which would be expensive, but thankfully, Apple has a solution. It’s called Boot Camp, and it’s the cheapest and easiest way to install Windows on a Mac.
Apple’s Boot Camp will install Windows on Mac
If you haven’t heard of Boot Camp, it’s Apple’s custom-designed app for adding Windows to a Mac. But before you go ahead with the tutorial below, it’s best that you make sure your Mac is capable of running Windows. Here’s what you need.
System requirements
Your Mac must be running on an Intel-based CPU and have a correctly formatted USB drive with at least 16GB of storage. Additionally, your Mac needs to have at least 55GB of free storage space. This will be used to set up a separate partition space on the drive.
If you’re not sure how much space is needed for the version of Windows you want to install, head on over to the information page to find out.
If you’ve met the above requirements, you can now move on to choosing which version of Windows to install. Obviously, there are quite a few options, with Boot Camp being compatible with Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10.
For the purpose of this tutorial, we are going to assume you will install Windows 10 on your Mac and that you have a copy ready for use with this tutorial.
How to install Windows on a Mac
Now that we have checked the system requirements and have Windows 10, it is time to start to start the tutorial for you to install Windows on your Mac.
- First insert your USB drive into the Mac.
- Next you need to check the drive’s format using the Master Boot Record Partitioning Scheme. To do so, use your computer’s Disk Utility tool. This is required because Boot Camp will use the drive to store all the Windows data you want to install.
- Now, open the Utilities Folder on your Mac’s application list and run Boot Camp Assistant.
- If you would like to make a back-up your systems data, now is the time to do it. Alternatively, click Continue.
- Now you will see a new window with three check boxes: Create a Windows 7 or later version install disk, Download the latest Windows support software from Apple, and Install Windows 7 or later version. Select Them all and click continue.
- Boot Camp will now install Windows on the USB drive you have plugged into your Mac. All you have to do to assist is choose the location of Windows (whether it’s a disk or digital download) and then click Continue. Then be patient while Boot Camp copies the Windows files.
- In the next window, you are required to select where to save the Windows drivers and software files. You need to select the USB drive and then click Continue.
- Next up, you’re prompted to select your Mac’s network connection; do so and then click Continue. This next part could take some time, so be patient.
- By default, Boot Camp creates a partition which is 55GB in size. If you think this won’t be big enough, you can increase this on the Create a Partition for Windows screen. To do so, slide the bar between the MacOS and Windows. When you are happy with the storage space click Install.
Installing Windows
With a partition now created, it is time to install Windows on your Mac; you will need to follow a few on-screen prompts until the installer asks, “Which Partition do you wish to install Windows on,” at which point you should choose the partition called BOOTCAMP.
- Next you will need to Format it to NTFS and continue installing Windows.
- When prompted, Open the USB drive and select the setup.exe file, which is found in the Windows Support folder.
- Once the driver’s other software is installed, you have finished.
And that’s it; you now know how to install Windows on a Mac. We hope you found this tutorial helpful. If you have any thoughts or questions about the above, please leave them in the comments section below.
