Bootcamp: Install Windows on Mac - a guide
The "Bootcamp" software from Apple is a simple solution for installing a Windows operating system on your Apple Mac. We'll show you step by step how to use Bootcamp to get Microsoft Windows up and running on your Mac.
Bootcamp: Install Windows on Mac
With the "Bootcamp" program, you can install Microsoft Windows on your Apple Mac in just a few steps. Windows is installed on a separate partition so that you can always choose between the Windows operating system or Mac OS after installation. Before doing so, however, you should check whether your Mac meets the numerous requirements for this.
- The information on installing and configuring Microsoft Windows on your Mac OS refers to the latest Bootcamp version 4 & 5.
Requirements for boot camp
In order for Bootcamp to work smoothly on your Mac computer and successfully install Windows, your Mac must meet the following requirements.
- You need a Mac computer with an Intel processor and a USB keyboard and mouse or a built-in keyboard and trackpad.
- In addition, Bootcamp relies on Mac OS X version 10.5 or higher. However, it is recommended to use the latest Mac OS X version. How to find out which version you are using.
- To be able to insert the Windows installation CD later, you need an internal optical drive or a compatible external drive.
- Apple also recommends installing all firmware updates on your Mac computer in order to use the Boot Camp Assistant properly.
- Depending on the Windows operating system, you will need 2 GB of RAM and 20 GB to 40 GB of free space on your hard drive.
- To install the Windows operating system, you need an original Windows full installation disc with the 64-bit version or an ISO file. Bootcamp version 5 supports all Windows 7 and Windows 8 versions, while Bootcamp 4 is only compatible with Windows 7 "Home Premium", "Professional" and "Ultimate".
- Depending on your Mac model, your Apple Mac only supports certain versions of Windows and Bootcamp. Therefore, check on Apple's official support site whether your Mac computer works with Bootcamp 4 & 5 and the desired Windows operating system.
- In order for you to install Microsoft Windows on your Mac OS without any problems, you must of course download Bootcamp version 4.0 or 5.0.
Instructions: Install Windows on Mac
Follow the steps below to use your desired Windows operating system on your Mac computer in the future.
- First, update your Mac OS using all available firmware updates and create a backup of the OS X system if you have not already done so.
- Open the "Finder" and from there go to the "Utilities" folder, which you can find under "Programs". Now activate the Boot Camp Assistant.
- Follow the instructions in the Boot Camp Assistant. Make sure that you use the appropriate drivers so that Windows can later use the entire hardware of the Mac.
- First save the drivers. You can decide whether you want to save them on a CD / DVD or an external storage medium.
- In a further step you have to determine the size of the partition under Windows. OS X is currently occupying your entire hard drive. Using Bootcamp, you shrink the OS X partition and allocate at least one 20 GB partition to the Windows operating system. However, a size of 32 GB is recommended.
- Now confirm the partition size you selected. Bootcamp will then determine the partition and then create it on your Mac OS.
- After Bootcamp has created the partition, you will be asked to insert the Windows installation CD. The system is then restarted and the Windows installation mode of Bootcamp is activated.
- Now install the Windows operating system and follow the instructions during the installation process.
- If you have successfully installed Windows and started it for the first time, you have to install the drivers for Bootcamp from the previously secured storage medium so that you can also use the Mac hardware under Windows.
- Under Windows, you can use "Control Panel" and the "Boot Camp" entry to specify which operating system you will start the next time you reboot. Under OS X, you set the startup behavior via "Start volume" in the system settings. Alternatively, press the "Alt" key when you start your Mac and then select the desired operating system.
In another practical tip, we explain how to set up a network with your Mac OS X.