How to install a jailbroken Windows on a MacBook. Apple educational program: how to install Windows on a MacBook Air. The main differences between the developments of Apple

  • 11.09.2020

Apple computers are very productive and multifunctional, a lot of software has been developed for them. However, in some cases, it is required to install windows 7 on a mac, when the use of two PCs is impossible, and the necessary program running under the operating system from Microsoft has no analogues.

The best solution in this case is to use a program called Boot Camp. It is specially provided by the developers of imac air computers for creating partitions and installing the operating system from a USB flash drive.

Preparatory work

Installing an additional OS takes up a lot of hard disk space. This fact must be taken into account, since before the operation a separate section will be created for it. On average, 35-40 Gb of unallocated space is required for a logical drive.

Before starting the procedure such as installing windows on a mac, you need to prepare your macbook pro. To do this, you need to do the following:


It can also come in handy:

  • update OS from Apple (regardless of version, this can be done through the App Store in the "Updates" tab);
  • to create a backup, you need to use an application called Time Machine or other means;
  • download the image of the installation disk from the official Microsoft website or create it yourself;
  • write the image to a USB flash drive using the Boot Camp assistant.

Installation process

With everything you need ready, you can start installing on your imac air. To do this, you need a drive that does not contain the necessary information (it will be formatted when the installation image is written). To get started, you need to do the following:


Working with the installed OS

After finishing the installation of the Windows 7 distribution on the imac air, you can select the operating system you want to run. To do this, hold down the "Alt" button and select the desired one. It can also be changed in the startup priorities menu of computer devices by selecting the name of the partition with the required OS.

For Windows to work normally and install macbook pro driver support, you need to take one more step: when you first boot the operating system, start the USB flash drive created using the Boot Camp program.

The imac air driver installation should start automatically. But if this does not happen, you need to go to the USB flash drive and run the setup.exe file

Look towards buying an iMac or MacBook, but have you got used to the specifics and functionality of the Windows operating system for many years? Worried about how quickly you can get up to speed with the Mac OS environment? Or maybe you just want to research Apple's operating system? For these purposes, it is not necessary to plunge into the dense jungle of the specifics of installing on a Hackintosh PC, if you are familiar with at least the basics of VMware Workstation. This hypervisor is the easiest way to run Mac OS in a Windows environment. For it, there are ready-made virtual machines (VMs) on the network with an installed and configured system from Apple. How do I test Mac OS Sierra or High Sierra on VMware?

1. Ready-made Mac VMs for hypervisors

Ready-made VMs save us a lot of the hassle that we have to face when installing Macintosh on regular PCs and laptops. You don't need to install the Clover or Chameleon bootloader, search for kexts and special files like FakeSMC, set up emulation of components. There will be no need to wait for the system to install. All these troubles were taken over by the VM collectors. We get a ready-made virtual computer with already integrated guest OS add-ons and a user profile, which, if desired, we can rename or delete by creating another.

Since Mac is officially forbidden to install on ordinary PCs and laptops, of course, we will not find test assemblies of the operating system in the format of working files of hypervisors on Apple's official resources. But we will find them on the torrent trackers of the Internet.

A VM with a Mac installed is essentially the same Hackintosh devices. Lawyers and sofa experts in the topic can argue as much as they want about the existence of an offense in the conditions of using a Macintosh on hypervisors, but this has nothing to do with the technical side of the issue. Working with a hypervisor, we, alas, will have to face both problems with the functioning of virtual operating systems, and problems with Hackintosh devices, such as: lack of smoothness of interface effects, periodic brakes, certain functions or specific equipment that do not work due to lack of drivers, etc. For a VM with a Mac, there are the same processor restrictions as for Hackintosh - you need an Intel-based computer, preferably with SSE4.2 support.

Ready-made VMs exist for both VirtualBox and VMware. The latter benefit from greater convenience of working with a virtual Mac: guest OS add-ons work stably in VMware products, and we will be able to configure shared folders with the main Windows, as well as the screen resolution we need.

2. Sierra or High Sierra

At the time of this writing, there are ready-made VMs on the network with the current Mac OS:

Sierra (10.12) - version from 20.09.2016;

High Sierra (10.13) - version from 09/25/2017.

Or, perhaps, there is already a VM with the latest version of Mojave (10.14). But it is Sierra that is considered the most stable version suitable for experimenting on a PC. It is the Mac OS Sierra VM that we will download and configure to work with VMware. And then we will fix it in a snapshot and update it to High Sierra via the App Store.

3. Download VM

To download Mac OS Sierra VM files for VMware, go to RuTracker:

https://rutracker.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5287454

We add the distribution to the torrent client, and while it is downloading the archive from the VM, we will do some operation directly with the VMware hypervisor. In the description of the distribution, in the “Tablet” column, follow the link “VMware version 11 and higher”. If, of course, you have an up-to-date version of the hypervisor installed above the 11th. To date, the last is the 14th.

4. VMware Unblocker for Mac support

Following the link in the description of the torrent distribution, download a certain archive called "unlocker210". It is a VMware unblocker for Mac OS support. The point is that VMware products do not natively support Macintosh as a guest OS. Actually, this unlocker210 is needed to solve this issue. Unpack the downloaded archive, find the win-install.cmd file in the folder and run it (important) as administrator.

Now VMware will be able to offer us a Mac OS among the guest OS support - any, up to the latest version 10.14.

5. Unpacking and configuring VM

The archive downloaded by the torrent is unpacked using Total Commander or the 7-Zip archiver.

We indicate the unpacking path, it is also the path for storing the VM files.

If you are using the latest version of VMware products, update the VM.

Click "Change this virtual machine", then "Finish".

Now go to the VM settings.

We need the "Equipment" section. In the "Memory" tab, the collector set the amount of RAM to 2 GB. If the computer allows you to allocate more, select.

The article provides detailed instructions on how to install Windows 7 on a MacBook.

Everyone is accustomed to working with Windows and when buying a MacBook, it becomes necessary to install it for the usual work with documents.

Installing Windows 7 on Macbook Air Using Boot Camp

It doesn't take long to install Windows 7 on your Macbook Air. Installation requires a USB optical drive or 16GB USB drive. Before installing, check for software updates on your computer.

  • Turn on your MacBook and start Boot Camp.
  • Remove the checkbox from above where you want to create a disk. Check the box if the installation will be carried out from the image.
  • Use a USB stick to save drivers and other information. All information on the drive will be erased, so use an empty drive.
  • Split the disk into two equal parts for two operating systems.
  • Plug in your USB DVD drive and insert the Windows distribution into it.
  • Wait while Boot Camp downloads the latest software from the Internet and restarts your computer.
  • Install Windows, following the instructions, select the proposed settings.

Windows is installed in just over an hour. For those who do not know how to start Boot Camp: on the desktop at the top, click the magnifying glass. In the search box, write down the name of the application and click "Continue".

Create an image

If a disk is available to install the software, then you need to create an image of it.

  • Use an optical drive.
  • Using the Finder on your laptop, open Disk Utility.
  • In the window that opens, select the installation disk.
  • Enter the menu "File", "New Image" and then click "DVD Disc".
  • Under "DVD / CD Wizard" find "Image Format" and "Encryption". Check No.
  • Create a filename, enter a password and wait while a new image is created.
  • When finished, unplug the optical drive.
  • Use Finder to find the new image.
  • Rename the file name from .cdr to .iso.
  • When using removable storage devices, make sure they appear as removable devices in the Finder.
  • Connect the UbSB drive.
  • After creating the ISO image, proceed with the installation of the program.

Keyboard

After downloading the software, you can use the keyboard in several ways. Keys in different operating systems can perform different functions. Many keys on Windows laptops have counterparts on the Apple keyboard.

Windows formatting

To format, use the installer, after asking about the installation location, select the Boot Camp partition. Next, we start formatting by selecting "Disk Setup".

The new section can be renamed, formatted or deleted. After creating two sections, you will not be able to resize them. To resize it, you will have to delete the section and re-create the required section. To rename a partition, boot the operating system itself and rename the partition in it. Do not use other programs to resize the partition, this can lead to problems.

Be careful! Deleting a partition results in loss of files.

Boot Camp app

The app is divided into three sections:

  • choice of system to boot;
  • setting up the keyboard;
  • setting up the trackpad.

The first section will allow you to boot one of two operating systems. The second section allows you to control the functions of the F1 - F12 keys. In the third section, choose familiar gestures to work in any OC.

Windows startup

On a Macbook Air 11 or Macbook Pro, there is no operating system selection at boot, so to run on Windows 7, press Alt. A menu will appear in which select the desired system and download. If you do not press the Alt button when you turn on, then the download will start MacOS.

Removing Windows

To uninstall, just run Boot Camp in OS X and select "Delete". After deleting OS X will take up all the space. It will take less than a minute for a previously installed operating system to uninstall completely.

Software updates

Use the App Store to check for updates on your laptop. Select "Update" in the "Updates" section. In the application preferences, set the "Download recently appeared updates in the background" options. Then the updates will be carried out automatically. When the latest update has been installed, you can start installing Windows.

If you have an update disc, do the following:

  • Boot your MacBook on MacOS.
  • Connect the Windows update disc.
  • Unzip and transfer the files to a USB stick.
  • Restart your laptop and turn on your installed version of Windows.
  • Carry out the update using the installer.

Driver

Some users have a question: "What is a driver?" A driver is a program without which the connected device will not work with the computer. At least once in their life, everyone has installed a laptop driver to operate a scanner or printer. Usually the OS already has drivers for different devices, but sometimes updates are needed, so check for updates. For example, download the realtek driver from the Internet for free to make your audio systems work.

Apple does not provide technical support for installing or recovering Windows. You can get advice over the phone about the Boot Camp Special Assistant, how to install or restore it.

Apple recently released a new version of the 13-inch MacBook Air. Contrary to the usual difference in a year, the new product was released only six months later, however, the changes in it are small: a slightly more powerful processor, and that's all. The reviewers decided on a desperate experiment - to install the Windows operating system on the MacBook Air. Find out more about the results below.

The standard configuration of the new MacBook Air 13 defaults to a 1.4GHz Intel Core i5-4260U instead of the 1.3GHz Intel Core i5-4250U in the six-month-old model. This gives a very small increase in performance, you can notice it only in benchmarks, nevertheless, the new product is offered to buyers for the same money, and the previous model is cheaper. It is difficult to find adequate competitors for the MacBook Air. More or less comparable in price models, as a rule, have lower performance (despite the higher clock speed, the Intel Core i5-4200U itself is less productive than the i5-4250U / 4260U).

On the other hand, you can find Windows laptops similar in size and performance, but they will already cost significantly more - this will be a completely different price category, and some characteristics will be noticeably better (screen resolution, for example), which is not always justified in such laptops.

And even more so, it is impossible to find a Windows laptop that would run on battery as long as the MacBook Air. This is due, among other things, to the energy efficiency of the OS X operating system.

How to install Windows on MacBook Air

The OS X operating system is very difficult to install on a regular Windows PC, and even then it is not a fact that everything will work. In most cases, the so-called "Hackintosh" is used - a special assembly of OS X, which, after performing special ceremonies "with dances and tambourines", can run on a regular PC. However, if the user is lucky with the motherboard, then after flashing the BIOS and replacing the bootloader, you can even install a completely official OS X distribution kit, which will even receive regular updates from the Apple server. Some, however, also call this method a hackintosh.

But putting Windows on any Mac is easier than a steamed turnip. No more difficult than installing Windows on any "regular" computer, perhaps a little longer. The easiest method to install Windows on a Mac is with OS X's built-in Boot Camp Assistant, which will help you partition the disk, configure the boot loader, and prepare a bootable USB flash drive with drivers and distribution image (or without it if you have a DVD at hand).

Note that even if you prefer virtualization to the installation of several operating systems on your computer, this is not a problem in OS X either: the most popular virtual machine for Mac, Parallels Desktop, allows you to work with Windows installed in Boot Camp and does not require additional manipulations: that is, you can use Windows and in virtualization mode and loading into it separately. But for the purposes of this article, we will only be working with Boot Camp.

So, we stock up on an external USB-DVD drive, an image of 64-bit Windows 7 "Home Premium" and an 8-gigabyte flash drive. Now it's just a little thing - start Boot Camp.

First, the utility will ask what we are going to do at all. The top checkbox: "Create a Windows installation disk or newer" can be removed immediately - we do not need this, since there is already a disc (DVD). Click "Next".

Since we have already inserted the USB flash drive into USB, Boot Camp suggests using it to save drivers and other useful utilities that will be useful to us when working in Windows. The next step is to partition the disk.

Usually, disk partitioning programs are quite complicated for beginners, but everything is elementary here - you don't have to do anything by hand. Unless, pull the slider, choosing how much space on the built-in storage will be allocated for OS X, and how much for Windows. We have selected the "Divide into equal parts" option.

Basically, that's all. After clicking the Install button, Boot Camp will start preparing the USB stick. At this time, you can go off to drink tea, having previously connected the USB-DVD drive and inserted the Windows distribution kit into it. Boot Camp will work for about half an hour, it all depends on how much you have to download from the Internet. Remember the checkmark in the first step: "Download the latest Windows Support Software from Apple"? This is it. It could have been turned off, but we prefer the freshest. After Boot Camp finishes, the computer will reboot and begin installing Windows as usual. Select a country, a keyboard, sit back, enter a product code, sit back again, and so on. Unless you have to manually format the newly created partition (it will be called BOOTCAMP) in NTFS. But Windows will warn you about this.

When Windows installs and finally boots up, it will install the very Windows support software from Apple that it includes.

In total, Windows 7 was installed via Boot Camp for a little over an hour with minimal user input. Even a child can handle it.

Launching Windows on MacBook Air

Windows 7 feels great on the latest MacBook Air.

This is not surprising - "hardware" is quite common in poppies.

To help the macho grower who has just left the friendly and familiar world of OS X and ended up in Windows - a world he is little familiar with, and therefore hostile, there is the "Boot Camp Control Panel", which is automatically installed just from a USB flash drive. The icon of this application is placed in the tray and you can always call it from there.

The app has three sections: boot volume selection, keyboard settings, and touchpad settings.


In the keyboard settings - only the choice of the operating mode of the functional row of keys F1-F12. Unfortunately, there is no key mapping. By default, the Alt / Ctrl control keys correspond to their Windows counterparts, but Cmd turns into a Windows key (accordingly, in order, for example, to launch Explorer, you need to press Cmd + E). If you connect an external Windows keyboard, it will work as expected for a Windows keyboard. As for the layout, the default will be "Russian (Apple)" - completely similar to the standard Russian layout in OS X, but you can just select "Russian", and then the button under Esc, to the left of the "1" key, will turn into the letter "E ".


There are more parameters in the trackpad (touchpad) settings. In fact, they allow you to bring the use of the touchpad in Windows as close as possible to OS X - almost all the usual multitouch gestures will be available.


By the way, the logical drive with OS X (which is formatted in HFS +) is also accessible from Windows. True, only for reading. You will not be able to delete something from it, as well as create a folder or file.



By the way, you won't be able to format it either - the system will generate an error. But it's better not to do this anyway - after we tried to format the OS X partition from under Windows, it crashed and we had to restore OS X via Recovery. In general, this is the only bug that we found. Quite unpleasant, though.

From OS X, a Windows disk (formatted in NTFS) is also readable, but not writable.

Loading and choosing an OS

On a Mac, there is no "traditional" OS selection menu. By default, after installing Windows in Boot Camp, the laptop will boot into OS X without question when rebooted or turned on. If you want to boot into Windows, you need to hold down the Alt button while booting - then the boot partition selection menu will appear. If you did not install anything else, then there will be three partitions: recovery (OS X recovery), OS X and Windows. Select the third one and boot into Windows.

And since Windows will reboot much more often than OS X, which rarely requires a reboot in general, it makes sense to configure the default boot in Windows in the Boot Camp utility on Windows. Even if you rarely use Microsoft operating systems, believe me, it will be easier. After all, you will have to shut down or restart your Mac under OS X even less often.

Performance test

Let's now take a look at what the MBA13 is capable of under Windows. First - an assessment of performance according to the version of Windows 7 itself.


Everything is quite expected: fast RAM, fast hard drive (which here, in fact, is not a hard drive, but a solid-state drive), although the system clearly flattered the processor and graphics for games. But when working, as they say, with office applications, everything really flies.

We also ran PC Mark 7. The results are as follows:


Is it a lot or a little? See for yourself: Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 2 Pro on Intel Core i3-4010U scored only 4286 points, and Acer Aspire S7-392-74508G25tws with Intel Core i5-4200U processor - 5048 points.

But we still have one more test. As you know, the MacBook Air 13 is the most "long-playing" of the thinnest notebooks today. Under OS X, it works up to 12-13 hours without any "dim the screen brightness, turn off all wireless interfaces, move at least 10 steps away from the computer and try not to breathe." But what about Windows? It's easy to check. We arranged such a test: we launched a standard browser in each OS (Internet Explorer for Windows and Safari for OS X), opened three pages in the browser: Facebook, Twitter and Vkontakte (so that they would be constantly updated), and also launched an MPEG video for looping playback. 4 with Full-HD resolution and expanded it to full screen. The screen brightness, by the way, was set to maximum. In general - harsh conditions and no indulgences.

In this mode, the MacBook under OS X worked for 9 hours 32 minutes. Not a bad result, we approve. But what about Windows? Alas, the situation here is not so rosy: 5 hours 11 minutes. In principle, this is not so little compared to the same ultrabooks on Windows, the manufacturers of which claim 6-7 hours of operation, but in reality they (if you use them roughly as we described above) are discharged after 4-4, 5 hours. But still, the difference is almost twice with OS X. This, by the way, once again confirms the energy efficiency of OS X itself.

By the way, at first we wanted to conduct testing without launching the video player, but simply open the fourth page in the browser, from YouTube, where we will launch the Full-HD video. In OS X, the MacBook Air 13 worked in this mode for 6 hours and 26 minutes (such a low result is explained by the constantly running Flash Player - due to YouTube), and in Windows 7 - five hours, but for some reason in Internet Explorer on YouTube it was impossible to select Full-HD resolution (1080p), only HD (720p), and when using Google Chrome, where there were no problems with Full-HD on YouTube, the laptop generally worked for 4 hours and 15 minutes. We rejected this test - you can hardly trust its results, because conditions were unequal. But, if anything, keep in mind: Google Chrome browser drains your computer faster than Safari or Internet Explorer.

How to uninstall Windows from MacBook Air

What if Windows on Mac is no longer needed and needs to be removed? Apple has taken care of that too. Boot into OS X, launch Boot Camp Assistant and select Uninstall Windows 7 or later.

That's it, nothing else is needed - the program itself will erase the unnecessary disk partition and fill the remaining space with the main partition.

Removing Windows has never been so quick - the whole process took less than a minute.

Practice shows that Apple still makes the best laptops in the world. Reliable, powerful, lightweight, energy efficient. But even if the Windows world doesn't let you go, all is not lost. Apple took care of the user and provided him with an amazing opportunity to use Windows on the Mac, if necessary.

If you have never reinstalled an operating system in your life, and, moreover, have not installed several operating systems on one computer, Boot Camp will still not let you get confused. You won't even have time to get scared - there are a minimum of questions and Boot Camp is already getting started. Well, if you are an experienced geek, then you will certainly be surprised by the simplicity and ease of the process. Although, it should be noted that not every geek is able to appreciate the simplicity and lightness.

Many people who are used to working with Windows find it quite difficult to switch to a new operating system after purchasing a computer from Apple. In addition to non-standard controls and many functional differences, they are also not satisfied with the fact that the number of programs, games and various utilities developed for macOS is significantly less. For this reason, some users install Windows on Mac.

Is it possible to install Windows on Apple computers

As a rule, the question about the possibility of installing Windows on a Mac computer appears in the first few days after purchasing it. Few people are interested in this issue before buying. But the habits left over from the days of using Windows, and the tangible shortage of software, force us to think about the possibility of using a more familiar and familiar operating system.

Fortunately, there is such an opportunity. Owners of Apple computers can install almost any Windows operating system, and without the help of qualified specialists.

The Windows operating system does not replace the installed macOS; it is an additional independent program.

How to install Microsoft OS on Mac

Boot Camp is most commonly used to install Windows on Mac devices; virtualization software is used less frequently. But first you need to choose the appropriate version of the OS and upgrade macOS, if required. Many users do not attach much importance to the issue of choice, which creates additional difficulties for themselves both at the stage of installing an additional OS and after it.

For example, Windows 10 cannot be installed on Macs manufactured prior to 2012. This is due to higher system requirements and other features of the program. If you don't follow this rule, you will simply waste your time. Here's a list of Mac computers that support Windows 10:

  • the entire MacBook Pro lineup since mid-2012, including 13 and 15-inch versions;
  • Two 12-inch MacBooks sold in early 2015 and 2016
  • All 11-inch and 13-inch MacBook Airs introduced to the market after mid-2012
  • Mac Pro released in late 2013
  • Mac mini 2012 and 2014, including the Mac mini Server model introduced in late 2012;
  • all iMacs since Late 2012.

Earlier versions of Windows can also be installed on Macs manufactured before 2012, but there are also some limitations. Here is a small list of operating systems supported by Apple devices, indicating the appropriate version of Boot Camp:

  • Windows 7 Home Premium, Professional, or Ultimate (Boot Camp 4 or 1)
  • Windows Vista Home Basic, Home Premium, Business, or Ultimate Service Pack 1 or later (Boot Camp 3)
  • Windows XP Home Edition or Professional with Service Pack 2 or 3 (Boot Camp 3).

Before buying an operating system, make sure it is right for your computer.

Many users from Russia and post-Soviet countries prefer to download unlicensed operating systems instead of buying original bootable discs. This is a flagrant violation of copyright law.

What you need to install Windows on a Mac

In terms of installation requirements, all Windows OS releases can be divided into three categories:

  1. Windows 7 and earlier.
  2. Windows 8.
  3. Windows 10.

Requirements for the first category:

The external storage device must support the FAT (MS-DOS) format for storing and transferring data.

Requirements for the second category (Windows 8):

  • original image of the required OS version (flash drive, DVD or ISO image);
  • Internet connection;
  • at least 40 GB of free space;
  • One of the Mac computers with the specifications that meet the system requirements of the eighth version of Windows;
  • installed Mac OS X of a suitable version.

If all requirements are met, Boot Camp will automatically install additional software to adapt Windows 8 to the technical needs of your Mac.

To find out the version of your operating system, you need to go to the menu (the button with the Apple logo in the lower left corner of the keyboard) and select the "About this Mac" item.

The requirements for the third category are similar, except for one condition: the version of the OS used must be Mac OS X Yosemite or higher.

Installing with Boot Camp

Due to the differences between different Windows operating systems, we will describe the installation instructions for each category separately.

Windows 7 or earlier

To install Windows XP, Vista or Windows 7 on an Apple computer, you need to:

  1. Connect the external storage device and do not remove it until the installation is complete.
  2. Create a virtual image of the boot disk. To do this, you can use programs such as Daemon Tools or Nero Burning Rom. The image is required to work with Boot Camp.

    You can create a Windows boot disk image using Nero Express

  3. Start Boot Camp. It can be found in the Utilities folder. If you cannot find the folder you are looking for, use the search.
  4. The installer will appear, where you need to check the box next to "Create a Windows 7 installation disk". After that we press the "Continue" button.

    In the window that appears, put a checkmark in front of the item "Create an installation disk for Windows 7"

  5. We insert the disk with the new OS or mount the image into the virtual disk drive and click "Continue" again.
  6. After a few seconds, a message will appear stating that it is possible to download the corresponding software from the official Apple website. We confirm the action. Boot Camp will automatically download the required software. If this does not happen, you need to download the archive with the drivers yourself, choosing the model of the Mac computer and the version of Windows on the official website.

    Confirming to download the latest Windows support software from Apple website

  7. After downloading additional software, you need to unpack it on an external storage device (USB-stick). The system will offer to copy files with replacement, confirm this action.
  8. Once again, go to Boot Camp and select the "Install Windows" item.
  9. The program will offer to divide the memory allocated for the additional OS into disks, after which it will reboot and begin the installation.

    Set the required virtual disk size for Windows

Further actions should be performed based on the prompts of the installer program.

Video: installing Windows 7 on Mac as a second OS

Windows 8

Installing Windows 8 is easier and faster than earlier versions of operating systems:


Boot Camp will automatically install the required software and drivers. No external USB storage required. This also applies to the latest release from Microsoft - Windows 10. You just need to put a bootable disk or USB flash drive, run Boot Camp Assistant, share the disk space and follow the instructions.

Video: How to Install Windows 8 on Mac as a Second OS via BootCamp

Features of installing Windows using a USB flash drive

In fact, the process of installing an additional OS using a flash drive is the same as in the case of a DVD, the only difference is that you need to prepare a USB drive in advance so that it turns into a bootable one. If you just write the image to a USB drive, nothing will work, you need an additional program called UltraISO or the like.

In order to install Windows from a USB flash drive, you need to make it bootable

This program is shareware - there is a test period, which is quite enough to install Windows from a USB flash drive. Here's a quick guide to preparing a USB drive for installing an OS from Microsoft:


You can buy an operating system already on a USB stick. In this case, no further action is required.

Using the instructions above, you can install Windows as an additional and, importantly, a stand-alone program. Before each start of the computer, you will have a choice of which of the installed operating systems to use.

Windows OS virtualization on Mac

In addition to installing via Boot Camp, there is another method for using Windows on Apple computers - virtualization. It differs in that the operating system from Microsoft is installed and used as an application running directly in macOS. In this case, it looks more like a regular program that opens in a small window than a full-fledged operating system.

When installed in virtualization mode, Windows looks more like a regular application

At the moment, the most popular virtualization programs are:

  • Oracle VM VirtualBox, distributed free of charge;
  • Parallels Desktop, which costs 3,990 rubles;
  • VMware Fusion with a price tag of 5,153 rubles.

The difference in cost is dictated solely by the pricing policy of the developer companies, since all programs work equally well. The only difference between free virtualization software and its paid counterparts is that it cannot be used with Boot Camp.

The installation of software for virtualization is almost identical, therefore, as an example, consider the installation of only one of them - Parallels Desktop:


When you start the program, a window with Windows will open in front of you, which can be maximized to full-screen mode.

Video: How to Install Windows XP on VirtualBox

Combined use of Boot Camp and virtualization

Some users have gone even further by developing a mechanism to combine the capabilities of Boot Camp and virtualization. Thus, they solved the problem of excessive consumption of computer resources when two operating systems were running at the same time.

To achieve the correct operation of the above circuit, you need to perform the following steps:

  1. Install Windows on your computer using Boot Camp.
  2. Install one of the virtualization software (except Oracle VM VirtualBox).
  3. When creating a new virtual machine, check the box next to "Use Windows via Boot Camp".

Pros and cons of using Boot Camp and virtualization

Boot Camp was created by Apple developers with the goal of providing users with the ability to change operating systems at will. Moreover, databases have been created in the form of drivers and additional software designed to simplify the process of adapting Windows to Apple's computing equipment as much as possible. It is for this reason that Boot Camp is so popular among MacBook owners of various modifications.

Benefits of using Boot Camp:


As for the drawbacks, it is only one: not all versions of Windows are supported by Mac computers.

If we talk about the advantages of virtualizing Windows on Mac, then we can highlight the following points:

  • the ability to use Windows without leaving macOS;
  • fast work with documents and programs.

Disadvantages of virtualization:

  • two operating systems running at the same time consume much more system resources;
  • some programs in Windows may not work correctly. The situation is similar with the screen resolution settings.

Utilities such as Boot Camp and virtualization programs enable users to run familiar Windows operating systems while using high-performance, high-quality Mac computers. This is a great example of how two once warring giant IT corporations are moving towards each other for the interests of their clients.