Before you begin
Aug 6, 2015 - If you're looking for an authentic Windows experience on a Mac, Boot. Chill out, do some push-ups, read up on all our Windows 10 articles in. Restarting is the first basic troubleshooting step when a Mac slows down or refuses to run a program. CA Brr, it´s cold outside. RELATED ARTICLES.
First, make sure that your Mac supports Windows 10. Use About This Mac to find out which Mac you have, then see if it's on this list:
- MacBook Pro introduced in 2012 or later
- MacBook Air introduced in 2012 or later
- MacBook introduced in 2015 or later
- iMac Pro
- iMac introduced in 2012 or later1
- Mac mini introduced in 2012 or later
- Mac Pro introduced in late 2013
Next, make sure that you have what you need:
- The latest version of macOS. Learn how to update the software on your Mac.
- A minimum of 64GB of free disk space on your Mac to create a Boot Camp partition. Automatic Windows updates require at least 128GB, so Apple recommends a partition of 128GB or larger for the best experience.
- A blank 16GB or larger USB 2 flash drive. Some Mac models don't require that you install from an external flash drive.
Finally, get a disk image (ISO) or installation media containing a 64-bit version of Microsoft Windows 10 Home or Pro edition:
- If you're installing Windows on your Mac for the first time, use a full version, not an upgrade.
- If your copy of Windows came on a DVD, you might need to create a disk image.
- If your copy of Windows came on a USB flash drive, or you have a Windows product key and no installation disc, you can download an ISO from Microsoft.
Install Windows
Now you're ready to install Windows on your Mac with these steps:
1. Open Boot Camp Assistant and create a BOOTCAMP partition
Open Boot Camp Assistant from the Utilities folder inside the Applications folder, then follow the onscreen instructions. The app will help you create a BOOTCAMP partition on your startup disk, and download related software drivers for Windows.
You can't resize the BOOTCAMP partition after it's created, so make sure to specify a partition size that will meet your needs. Apple recommends a minimum of 128GB for the best experience.
If you're prompted during installation, connect a blank USB 2 flash drive.
2. Format your BOOTCAMP partition
When Boot Camp assistant finishes, your Mac restarts to the Windows installer. In most cases, the installer selects and formats the correct partition automatically. If you're using a flash drive or optical drive to install Windows, the installer might ask where you want to install Windows. Select the BOOTCAMP partition, then click Format.
3. Install Windows and Windows Support Software
Unplug any external devices, such as displays and disks, that aren't necessary during installation. Then follow the onscreen prompts to install Windows. After installation finishes, your Mac starts up in Windows and opens an installer for Windows Support Software.
If a screen that says 'Welcome to the Boot Camp installer' doesn't appear automatically, you need to install Windows Support Software manually.
How to switch between macOS and Windows
- Restart your Mac, then immediately press and hold the Option key.
- Release the Option key when you see the Startup Manager window.
- Select your macOS or Windows startup disk, then click the arrow or press Return.
Repeat these steps any time you need to switch between operating systems.
Learn more
You don't need a USB flash drive to install Windows if you have one of these Mac models running OS X El Capitan 10.11 or later:
- MacBook Pro introduced in 2015 or later2
- MacBook Air introduced in 2015 or later2
- MacBook introduced in 2015 or later
- iMac introduced in 2015 or later
- iMac Pro
- Mac Pro introduced in late 2013
For more information about using Windows on your Mac, click the Open Boot Camp Help button in Boot Camp Assistant.
1. Learn more about installing Windows and macOS Mojave on iMac (27-inch, Late 2012), iMac (27-inch, Late 2013), or iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2014) configured with 3TB hard drives.
2. These Mac models were offered with 128GB hard drives as an option. Apple recommends hard drives of 256GB or more so that you can create a Boot Camp partition of at least 128GB.
Newcomers and old pros alike use Windows keyboards with Macs. Why toss a perfectly good keyboard, just because you switched platforms? Many people use a Microsoft keyboard with their Mac. Some people just like how the keys feel better than the keyboards supplied by Apple.
The point is, you're not compelled to use an Apple keyboard unless you wish to; any wired USB keyboard, or Bluetooth-based wireless keyboard, will work fine with a Mac.
In fact, Apple even sells the Mac Mini without a keyboard or mouse, allowing customers to supply their own. There's just one little problem with using a non-Apple keyboard: figuring out some of the keyboard equivalents.
Windows and Mac Keyboard Differences
There are at least five keys that may have different names or symbols on a Windows keyboard than they do on a Mac keyboard, which can make it difficult to follow Mac-related instructions. For example, a software manual may tell you to hold down the command key ( ⌘ ), which appears to be missing from your Windows keyboard. It's there, it just looks a little different.
Here are the five most commonly used special keys on a Mac, and their Windows keyboard equivalents.
Once you know the keyboard equivalents, you can use them to control various Mac functions, including using Mac OS X startup shortcuts.
Another helpful bit of information for new Mac users is to know which menu key symbols correspond to which keys on the keyboard. The symbols used in the Mac menus can be a bit strange to those new to the Mac, as well as old hands who may be more mousers than keyboard users. Say Hello to Your Mac's Keyboard Modifier Keys, will explain the symbols and how they map to your keyboard.
The Command and Option Key Swap
The last bit of trouble you may run into depends on which platform you were using before you started using a Windows keyboard with your Mac. This problem is one of finger memory. Besides Windows and Mac keyboards having slightly different names, they also swap the positions of two often-used modifier keys: the Command and Option keys.
If you’re a long-time Mac user transitioning to a Windows keyboard, the Windows key, which is equivalent to the Mac's Command key, occupies the physical position of the Option key on a Mac keyboard. Likewise, the Windows keyboard's Alt key is where you expect to find the Mac's Command key. If you're used to using the modifier keys from your old Mac keyboard, you're likely to run into trouble for a while as you relearn the key locations.
Instead of having to relearn key locations, you can use the Keyboard preference pane in System Preferences to reassign the modifier keys, allowing you to keep the fingering skills you already possess.
- Launch System Preferences by clicking its icon in the Dock, or clicking the Apple menu on the left side of the menu bar then selecting System Preferences.
- In the System Preferences window that opens, select the Keyboard preference pane.
- Use the pop-up menu next to the Option and Command keys to select the action you wish the modifier keys to perform. In this example, you want the Option key (the Alt key on a Windows keyboard) to execute the Command action, and the Command key (the Windows key on a Windows keyboard) to perform the Option action.
- Don’t worry if this sounds a bit confusing, it will make more sense when you see the drop-down pane in front of you. Also, if things get a bit mixed up, you can just click the Restore Defaults button to put everything back the way it was.
- Make your changes and click the OK button.
- You can then close the System Preferences.
With the modifier key swap issue resolved, you shouldn't have any problems using any Windows keyboard with your Mac.
Keyboard Shortcuts
Those new to the Mac but proficient using keyboard shortcuts to speed up their workflow may be a little taken aback by the notation used in the Mac's menu system to indicate when a keyboard shortcut is available.
If a keyboard shortcut is available for a menu item, the shortcut will be displayed next to the menu item using the following notation: