Windows and Mac are popular brands in the world of computer and both compete with each other to occupy more market share in the world. Microsoft’s Windows and Apple’s macOS have got large fan following across the globe. However, when it comes to user-friendly interface, Windows has got an edge over macOS. This motivates many Mac users to install Windows 10 on Macbook Pro.
There is a simple solution to install Windows 10 on Mac. Users can use Boot Camp Assistant, which is a multi boot utility incorporated with Apple’s Mac OS X. This software helps users in installing Microsoft Windows on Intel based Mac computers.
Before you install Windows 10 on your Macbook Pro, there are some things you need to ensure that are in place.
Points to Ponder
- You need an Intel-based Mac
- You require a Microsoft Windows installation media or disk image (ISO) having a 64-bit version of MS Windows 8 or later.
- Keep an Apple keyboard, mouse or trackpad, or use a USB keyboard and mouse.
- Make sure that there is a free disk space of 55GB on your startup drive.
- You require a blank 16GB or larger USB 2 flash drive for most Mac models.
Below is the list of models, which have internal drive to temporarily store what you have to install Windows; hence, you don’t need a USB flash drive:
- MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2016)
- MacBook Pro (13-inch, Late 2016, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
- MacBook Pro (13-inch, Late 2016, Two Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
- MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Early 2015)
- MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Mid 2015)
- MacBook Air (13-inch, Early 2015)
- MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, Early 2015)
- MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, Early 2016)
- iMac (Retina 4K, 21.5-inch, Late 2015)
- iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2015)
- iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2015)
- iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Mid 2015)
- Mac Pro (Late 2013)
There are some versions of Windows that need a particular processor, and therefore, you need more hard disk space and RAM.
Read carefully the documentation that came along with your copy of Windows.
Use System Information to check what your Mac currently has.
Upon purchasing Windows, you get a disk image file (ISO) to download or Windows comes as an installation disk or in a USB flash drive. If you have got your copy of Windows on a DVD, you need to create a disk image that works with Boot Camp. In case you have a Windows available on USB flash drive, you can download an ISO from Microsoft.
How to Install Windows 10 on Macbook Pro by Using Boot Camp
Step #1: Open Apple’s Boot Camp support page and check if there are any updates for your Mac model. If yes, you need to download and install the update. Click on Apple menu and then click Software Update.
Meanwhile, close all applications open on your system; and then launch Finder window and click on Application → Utilities.
Next in the Utilities folder, double-click on Boot Camp Assistant to open the assistant.
Step #2: Click on Continue button.
Download the Windows support software for Mac when you are asked to do. This will allow you to install the most advanced drivers for Windows. Then, click on Continue.
You may be asked to give administrative details; simply type in the credentials and then hit Enter to start downloading the software. Save files to a flash drive or on a disk after the download is completed.
Step #3: Once the software is downloaded, you will be prompted to create a Windows partition on hard disk. Here, you can take decision how much space you want to assign to Windows partition.
You can fiddle with the slider to give Windows partition some free space.
Installation of Windows
- Post partitioning, hard disk on your Mac is ready to support Windows. Now is the time to install Windows.
- Slot Windows installation disk in Mac optical drive.
- Click on Start Installation button. Upon this action, Mac will reboot and installation of Windows will begin.
- Next, follow the on-screen instructions to finish Windows installation in a normal mode.
- Note that you should choose custom option when you are prompted to follow an upgrade or custom installation.
- You will be asked to choose location to install Windows. Here, you should select the partition with BootCamp label. Next, choose Drive options (Advanced) and select Format.
Installing Windows Drivers
After the installation of Windows, you should also install the drivers you have downloaded.
Remove the Windows disc and insert the flash drive or DVD/CD which has Windows drivers.
Click on Start button → Computer and double-click to launch the disc or flash drive.
For the installation of Windows drivers on Mac, double-click on setup.exe in Boot Camp folder. Then, follow on-screen instructions to finish the installation procedure.
After successful installation of Windows, use Startup Disk preference pane in macOS; alternatively, you can use Boot Camp system tray item in Windows to select your startup disk.
When everything is finished, restart your Mac.
How to Toggle Between Windows and macOS on Mac
It is quite easy to select any one operating system after you have got two systems viz. macOS and Windows.
Step #1: Hold down Option key while switching on computer or restarting the same.
Step #2: Next, you need to use OS-selection menu. Double-click macOS or Windows to select any one.
Start using Windows on Mac.
How to Uninstall Windows 10
If you change your mind later and wish to uninstall Windows 10 on Mac, you can do this without much effort and bring back single partition on hard disk.
Step #1: Open Mac with macOS and shut down all apps and log out of all users.
Step #2: Launch Boot Camp Assistant and click on Continue. Next, choose ‘Remove Windows 7 or later version’ and then click on Continue.
Step #3: Now click on Restore.
It is done!
Hope this exhaustive information can help you install Windows 10 on Macbook Pro with Boot Camp Assistant. Share your feedback with us on Facebook, Twitter and Google Plus.