Want to use both Windows OS and macOS on your Mac? Well, you are at the right place. by following the steps given, you can dual boot Windows and macOS on your Mac. The method given can be used to install Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10, and Windows 11.
Dual Boot Windows on Mac
The process is quite easy and is not as complicated as it sounds. Before we begin the procedure, let’s make sure you have all the required tools.
Prerequisites
The Windows OS can be used on the Mac or MacBooks is given below:
- MacBook introduced in 2015 or later
- MacBook Air introduced in 2012 or later
- MacBook Pro introduced in 2012 or later
- Mac mini introduced in 2012 or later
- iMac introduced in 2012 or later1
- iMac Pro (all models)
- Mac Pro introduced in 2013 or later
For running Windows OS, you will need 64 GB storage at least. For the best experience, we would recommend you to have at least 128 GB of free storage (remember that this storage is only for Windows OS, additional for macOS is also required).
Since there will be automatic Windows Updates (in addition to those numerous other applications), then you will require more storage than 64 GB. If you are using iMac Pro or Mac Pro, then you are having 128 GB of RAM. For such RAM size, you will need almost 250 GB or more of storage.
You will also need to possess Windows OS ISO DISK Image File. This will totally depend on which Windows OS you are going to install on your Mac. Try to place the ISO file in drive/disk/place on your Mac that is easily accessible and you remember the path, as it will be later used.
There is a need for a USB drive of 16 GB storage too.
Note: Unlike other systems for making bootable USB of Windows OS, we are not going to use third-party applications like Rufus. Instead, we are going to make the USB bootable using Boot Camp inside the Mac.
Prepare your Mac for Windows
Now that you have all the tools to dual boot Windows on Mac, let’s make your Mac suitable for installation. Before we continue, make sure you have connected your Mac power line and the power won’t be gone until the installation got completed.
Related Topic: How to Create Windows 11 Bootable USB?
Secure boot Settings
The first step will be to change the Secure Boot Settings. Press Command+R keys when the Apple logo starts to appear. Then you will need to select users and click on Next.
Type the admin password and you will be placed in macOS Utilities. Once you are in the Startup Security Utility, there you will need to change Secure Boot Settings from Full Security to No Security. You will be asked to insert an administrator password for authentication.
Boot Camp Assistant
Your Mac will restart again.
Insert the USB drive to your Mac and open Utilities (use the shortcut keys Shift+Command+U at a time).
Inside the Utilities, you will need to find Boot Camp Assistant.
Run Boot Camp Assistant and before you being will appear. Click on Continue.
Tasks Screen will appear, select all the options and click on Continue.
Here you will need to select the Windows ISO DISK Image that we have talked about earlier. Then you will need to select your USB drive as location and click on Continue.
Note: This step will format the USB drive, then will burn the Windows OS on it. So, make sure you have all the data backed up before performing the operation.
Before you click on Install, you will be placed on Partition of drives. You can change the partition size, or leave it as it is. The best practice is to click on the Divide Equally button to do the partition equally for both Windows OS and macOS.
Note: make sure you have selected the partition according to your need. As you can’t change the partition size later.
Boot Camp partition
Performing this step will finish most of the installation.
Clicking on the Install button (in previous steps) will start loading. Once the loading is finished, click on Finish. If the system asks where would like to install Windows OS, then you will need to select Boot Camp Partition and format it.
Install windows on your Mac
Here you will place to Windows 10 setup screen. Install the Windows 10 on your Mac.
Windows Setup will appear with Language to install, Time and currency format, and Keyboard or Input Method options. Select options and click on Next.
You will be asked for Windows 10 license key, click on Skip for now.
Select the Custom installation, and accept Windows License.
Installation of Windows 10 will take place. once the installation got completed, connect your Wi-Fi, create a user account with password and password hints.
In Get going fast window, use express settings.
Use boot camp install in windows
When you have installed Windows on your Mac, the first thing that will happen will be the Boot Camp Installer will start. There Boot Camp will start downloading drivers and Windows-supported software.
By any chance, if nothing happens. That is the time when you will run Boot Camp Installer manually and will update/download all the required files.
Note: if you are using an external display connected to Thunderbolt 3 port on your Mac. Then there is a great chance that you will experience a blank screen (black, grey, or blue screen) for 2 minutes while Boot Camp performs the installation.
If you have further questions related to Dual-booting Windows and macOS on Mac, then comment down. Like this, you can dual boot several other OS too. if you have a certain combination on your mind, comment below, we will try to do that as soon as possible.
