It is possible to use Windows 10 on a macOS machine (with Intel chip). Here’s how.
Even if you are fully satisfied with your MacBook Pro, there is always something that Windows can offer where macOS fishing, whether it’s software, a game, or some feature. And you may not know it, but if you only have an Apple computer at home, it is still possible to run Windows 10 on it.
As long as you have an Intel Mac with enough storage and the correct Windows 10 ISO file – which can be downloaded for free from the Windows site – you can install Windows 10 on your Apple computer in less than an hour. Once done, when you turn on your Mac, you can choose to start Windows 10 or macOS. Here’s how.
What to do before you start
To run Windows on your Mac computer, here’s what you need:
- An Intel Mac (if your computer is in this listIt is not possible).
- 64 GB of disk space on the startup disk.
- Mains power.
If you’re not sure if your computer has an Intel chip, click the Apple logo in the top left of the screen and go to About This Mac. If you use the word Processor followed by the name of an Intel processor, you have an Intel Mac.
Before you start, it’s also best to make a backup of your machine, in case something goes wrong.
1. Download Windows 10 ISO File
Windows 11 is currently not compatible with Boot Camp Assistant on macOS. So you will need to download Windows 10. You can download Windows 10 disk image for free from Windows official website.
- On your Mac, go to windows download page.
- Click Select Edition and choose Windows 10 (multi-edition ISO).
- Click Confirm and wait.
- When done, choose the language and click Confirm.
- Finally, click 64-bit Download.
The Windows 10 ISO file is around 6 GB. Depending on your throughput, this may take a while. Once the file is downloaded, leave it in the Downloads folder and proceed to the next step.
2. Lancer l’Assistant Boot Camp
The software that you will use to run Windows 10 on your Mac is called Boot Camp Assistant, it is installed on your Mac. It was designed specifically to install Windows on your machine and the process is very simple.
- Launch Boot Camp Assistant on your Mac and click Continue.
- Click Choose a Windows 10 ISO and select the file you downloaded in the previous step.
- Move the slider to set the size of your Windows partition (42 GB being the minimum).
- Click Install and wait regarding 10 minutes for the partition to be created.
Once the Windows partition is created, your computer will restart.
3. Install Windows on the Mac
Your computer will start up, but instead of showing you the Apple logo you’re used to, you should see the Windows logo appear.
- Perform the Windows installation.
- Enter a product key if you have one.
Even without a key, you can access Windows on your Mac, don’t panic. The installation can take several minutes.
4. Configure Windows on Mac
Your Mac will restart, but this time the system will ask you to configure Windows, just like you would on a Windows computer. You can use Cortana and your voice to complete the installation, but you can also use the keyboard, mouse and trackpad.
- Choose your language, keyboard layout, Wi-Fi and more.
- If you have a Windows account, sign in.
- Windows will start on your Mac. You will be asked to create a password and/or PIN to enter your computer. Do it.
5. Install Boot Camp on Windows
Finally, install and update Boot Camp on Windows. This will allow you to make various modifications to the partition or correct certain problems when you are under Windows. When you first access Windows, you should get a notification to install Boot Camp. It takes a few minutes, and it’s the last thing you need to do before you can use Windows without worry.
6. Use Windows on Mac
You can use Windows any way you want. As you would with a Windows computer. Everything is normally available.
7. Switch from Windows to Mac
If you want to switch back to macOS from Windows, do the following:
- Restart your computer.
- As soon as the screen goes black, press and hold the Option key for 5 seconds.
- On the screen, you will then have the option to boot to macOS or Windows.
- Choose the partition to launch.
Use this keyboard shortcut to switch between partitions.
