How to install Windows on your Mac

While most people getting a Mac generally find that OS X works flawlessly and has everything they need, you may come across a few bits of software that are Windows only or websites that only work with Internet Explorer. Perhaps your office or school has some specific Windows feature or function you need that’s simply not yet available for OS X.

In cases where you do have to run a Windows only function, rather than having two separate computers, it’s normally easier to setup your Mac so that it can run both OS X and Windows in a configuration known as dual-booting. This allows you to decide which operating system you want to use by simply holding down the option key on your Mac when starting it up. So how do you get this set up and working? Follow this guide and you should be up and running in just a few steps 

Grab your copy of Windows

The first thing you need in order to install Windows is, of course, your copy of the Windows operating system! Depending on where and how you buy it, you will either have a DVD or you will have a digital image in the form of an ISO. With Windows 8, you will most likely have an ISO image as this is the most common and easiest means of distribution. Depending on when you got Windows 7, you may have an ISO or disk. Either way is fine, there is just an extra step discuss a little later on with the ISO image. 

What do you need to prepare?

The next step is getting everything ready for the installation and setup - you will need the following:

• Your copy of Windows, either as an ISO or a DVD.
• A USB drive at least 4GB in size if you’re using an ISO.
• A second USB drive to store the Windows Application Support Software.
• Have a backup of your data, just in case.
• Access to an active internet connection.
• At least an hour or so to go through the install.

Using Boot Camp assistant

The next phase is where we begin to setup and get everything ready for installation. First step is to open up the Boot Camp assistant, which you find in your utilities folder:  

1. Open Finder
2. Click on GO
3. Click on Utilities to open up this folder

- Once Utilities is open, scroll down until you find Boot Camp Assistant. Double click to open it up. 

- Once the Boot Camp Assistant is open, read through the info then click Continue.

Now, select the tasks you need to do. If you're using an ISO you will have to do all three, however if you have a disk then only the bottom two will be applicable. So what are these tasks?

• Creating an install disc will place the ISO onto your 4GB or larger USB drive, so that your Mac can boot from this in order to install Windows. 
• Downloading Windows support software will give you all the necessary driver software you need for Windows to work with your Mac hardware. This can be done after the Windows install if you don’t have a drive to save it to at the moment.
• Installing Windows is obviously why we’re here - a word to the wise thogh, only Windows 7 and Windows 8 are supported officially by Apple.

Click Continue to proceed.

Next up, select the USB drive you want to use for creating the bootable Windows disc, remember this should be over 4GB in size at least. 

1. Once you have chosen your disk, click Continue.
2. You will then be asked to confirm, which will erase the drive.
3. It will then begin to create the USB bootable disk:

- This process will take quite a while to complete, but once it has done it will automatically begin to download the Windows support software:

Once the required Windows software has been downloaded, it will begin to save this software. You may be asked to allow permission for the Boot Camp Assistant to create a helper tool, simply type in your password to allow this and then click on Add helper to continue. This is nothing to be concerned about and is a standard part of the Bootcamp setup. 

The next phase is formatting your drive, so that you have two partitions, one for Windows and one for your existing OS X software.

• Drag the small slider button to adjust how big you would like each partition.
• I’d recommend a minimum of at 40 – 50GB for Windows plus your program files; however this is also dependent on how big your internal drive is.
• Once you’ve decided on sizes, click Install, and it will begin to partition the drive:

- Once the partitioning is done, your Mac will automatically reboot. 

Setup Windows and drivers

The next thing you will see is the Windows installation screen. It will take you through installing and preparing Windows, which should take around 20 – 30 mins. After it finishes, you will be on the 'Personalise' screen, just as if you’d bought a PC with Windows!

Choose your personalisation options like colours, username, password etc. And it will begin to prepare Windows. The next step will be installing the Windows support software, which should start automatically when the machine finishes the installation:

Follow the prompts throughout this process and it will install all the necessary drivers you need. This will ensure everything from the mouse and keyboard right up to the webcam and graphics are functioning correctly. It will ask you to restart once it’s done. After it comes back on, you’ll be loaded into Windows.

You can use it just like normal, install any programs or features that you need and just generally work the Windows way. Now that it is installed, to switch between your two operating systems you need only hold down the option key while booting. 

You can switch between your OS whenever you need simply by rebooting and holding down the option key just after your Mac makes its startup 'ding' sound. You can choose which OS you want, and it will promptly boot into it with just a single click! 

There you have it. This will get you up and running with Windows on your Apple Mac system. If there's anything you're struggling with or want more info on any area of this guide, let us know in the comments section below.