How do I start Windows on Mac?
Do you have a Mac or a MacBook and want to start Windows because the software you need is not available for Mac OS X? You can find out how - here.
Windows on Mac or MacBook with on-board equipment: BootCamp
BootCamp is an Apple solution that allows you to additionally provide your Mac with a Windows installation.
- Thanks to this software, you can choose at startup whether you want to start Mac OS X or an existing Windows installation.
- BootCamp is integrated in Mac OS X from version 10.5 and can be installed with the BootCamp Assistant.
- Support for Windows systems varies depending on the version of the operating system. BootCamp 5.0, which has only been available since Mac OS X 10.8.3, supports Windows 7 and 8, but only in the 64-bit version. Vista and XP, on the other hand, only work with BootCamp 4. A support document from Apple gives you more details and shows you which version of BootCamp your Mac supports.
- If you have the right version, install BootCamp using the wizard. This sets up your hard drive again. You should therefore make a backup beforehand. At least 20 GB are reserved for Windows. But you also have to plan enough space for your software.
- The wizard will guide you through the installation. You will be asked to save and print the manual. You should do that too, because the installation requires some attention. If you'd like a taste online, check out Apple's support page.
Windows on Mac with virtualization - both operating systems simultaneously
If you don't want to start your Mac with Windows, but want to run it within OS X Windows and Windows applications, then virtualization is the right solution for you. You can use the following three programs:
- Parallels Desktop is favored by many users. This is a mature solution. You can run Windows applications as windows on your normal desktop and even 3D games are not impossible. Parallels Desktop costs around 80 euros.
- The commercial competition comes from VMWare and is called Fusion. In terms of functions, the software is comparable to Parallels Desktop. Depending on the discount, the purchase is significantly cheaper.
- Oracle's VirtualBox is suitable as a free solution for getting started with virtualization. This means you are at the start quickly and can bridge the time until full use of Mac software without spending any money.