Install Windows 10 on Mac - so it'll work
In addition to OS X, Windows 10 can also be run on the Mac. In this guide, we show you step by step how to install Windows 10 on a Mac.
Preparation for installing Windows 10 on Mac
The "Boot Camp" software is used to install Windows on the Mac parallel to the running OS X. You can find them in the Programs folder or in the Launchpad in the "Utilities" folder under the name "Boot Camp Assistant".
- Before the installation can start via Boot Camp, you need Windows 10 on a DVD, a USB stick or as an ISO file and a valid product key. You can download the ISO file directly from the CHIP download portal. Select the desired edition, the product language German and download the ISO file in the 64-bit version (all modern Macs now run under a 64-bit architecture).
- You also need an empty USB stick with a memory size of at least 2 GB.
Configure the Mac with Boot Camp
After doing all the preparations above, you need to set up the Mac to use Windows 10 in parallel:
- Double-click the loaded ISO file to open it from the system. Plug the empty USB stick into your Mac and then start the Boot Camp Assistant.
- Check the two options ("Download the latest Windows support software from Apple" and "Install Windows").
- You will be asked whether the USB stick can be repartitioned. Confirm this dialog. Then the required Windows drivers are downloaded and copied to the USB stick.
- Then the most important step follows: Split your hard drive or SSD between the two operating systems. Use the programs that you want to use on both systems. However, none of the partitions should be smaller than 20 GB.
- Confirm the dialog. Then the Mac restarts and starts installing Windows 10.
Wait for the Windows 10 installation and driver installation
The installation of Windows is largely self-sufficient. You only have to click on "Install now" and a few times on "Next". In an intermediate step, the product key is requested.
- After installing Windows 10, you will see the Windows desktop. At this point, important drivers are still missing. Install it by selecting the USB stick in Windows Explorer and opening it with a double click. Start the "Setup.exe" program. It guides you through the installation of the required Windows drivers.
- The computer is then restarted. From this moment on, you must hold down the [Alt] key when you start up your Mac to make a selection of the operating system to be started. By default, OS X will be loaded, for Windows you have to make the appropriate selection.
- When Windows starts again, the installation of Windows 10 on your Mac is complete. You can now fully use both operating systems.
We have put together an overview of who the Windows 10 upgrade is free of charge on the next page.