Installing Windows 7 on your Mac using Boot Camp is a great way to get the full performance of both operating systems. Boot Camp works by partitioning your Mac’s hard drive to use two operating systems, in this case OS X and Windows 7.
Therefore, when you use Windows 7 with Boot Camp, you simply boot directly into Windows instead of OS X. This is a great way to run Windows on a Mac as it provides all the power of a Mac. (RAM, processor speed, etc.) ) to Windows.
With virtualization software, such as VMware Fusion or Parallels, the power of your Mac (RAM, processor speed, etc.) is being distributed between both OS X and Windows.
Decided that Boot Camp is for you? Here are a few things you’ll need before you get started:
- An Intel-based Mac
- Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard installation disc (disc that came with your Mac or retail copy of OS X)
- At least 16GB free hard drive (recommended by Apple)
- Training Assistant (available on your Mac, available at Finder > Applications > Utilities)
- Genuine Microsoft Windows 7 installation disc
Install Boot Camp and Windows 7
* Apple has just released an official Boot Camp update for Windows 7. Performing a software update (click the Apple icon, select a software update from the drop-down menu) will automatically get you the update. this day. But just be sure, you can get it here). *
Step 1: Navigate the road Finder > Applications > Utilities. Double-click the Boot Camp Assistant icon to launch it.
Step 2: Click Continue on the About Boot Camp screen to move on to the next step.
Step 3: Step 3 is to partition your Mac’s hard drive. For Windows 7, Apple recommends using at least 16GB to keep Windows 7. Most likely you don’t need this much space to actually install Windows 7.
However, if you are going to install any programs in Windows or have any significant amount of files on Windows, make sure to partition your hard drive accordingly.
Click Bulkhead button. Wait for Boot Camp Assistant to partition your hard drive. Once done, you will have a BOOT CAMP drive icon on your desktop.
Step 4: Insert your Windows 7 installation disc into your Mac’s DVD drive and wait for it to load and recognize. Click Start the installation from the Boot Camp Support screen.
Step 5: Your Mac will automatically reboot and boot into the Windows 7 installer, instead of OS X. The next screen you come to will be a prompt screen, allowing you to choose the partition to install Windows 7 on. .
Make sure you choose BOOT CAMP PARTITION you just created, by clicking on it once to select it. Click on the link that says Drive Options (Advanced). Click Format button. A prompt screen will pop up saying “This partition may contain…”. Click ALRIGHT.
Step 6: Windows will now be installed on your computer. During the installation process, Windows will restart itself a few times and you will be asked to eject the installation disc from the DVD drive of your Mac.
Do this and let Windows, complete the installation completely. Fill in your Name, language, etc. After successful installation of Windows 7, you need to perform Windows Update to get the latest fixes and drivers released by Windows. Restart your computer before taking the next step.
Step 7: After Windows restarts, you need to install a few more drivers. Insert your Mac OS X into your Mac’s DVD drive and wait for it to load. Click Run setup options from the prompt window.
Step 8: Click Next on the first screen of the Boot Camp window. Accept the terms and click Next once again. Put a checkmark next to Apple Software Update for Windows. Click Setting button.
Step 9: It may take a few minutes for the installer to complete. Once done, click End to exit the Boot Camp installer window.
Step 10: Eject the Mac OS X installation disc from your computer and restart your computer.
Using Boot Camp: Thats all to have it. Boot Camp and Windows 7 will now run on your Mac. When you power on your computer (as soon as you hear the chime), hold option key on your Mac to go to the boot menu. From here, you can choose to use OS X or Windows 7.
