Mac OS X: Boot Camp Windows 7 Installation (2024)

Mac OS X: Boot Camp Windows 7 Installation

Favorite Article Print Article

[Return to Boot Camp: LSU Overview]

Things You Will Need

Before you Install Windows

  • A printed copy of this guide contains information you need to refer to when installing Windows.
  • A Back-Up of your Disk BEFORE Partitioning or Installing Windows. If you are installing Windows on a portable computer, connect the power adapter.
  • The keyboard and mouse or trackpad that came with your Mac. If they aren't available, use a USB keyboard and mouse.
  • A built-in disc drive or a compatible external optical drive.
  • An installation disc with Windows 7 x32/64, depending on your Mac model.
  • An external drive, such as a USB thumb drive, is formatted as MS-DOS (FAT).

After you have Installed Windows

  • Install support software that lets Windows work with your Mac hardware. (See Step 11)
  • You can download the support software to an external drive.
    • To format an external drive as MS-DOS (FAT), use Disk Utility, located in the Other folder inLaunchpad.

Installation Instructions

1. Check your Mac for updates.

  • Select the Apple icon at the top left of your screen and click "Software Update...". Install any available updates.

2. You will now download the Windows support software (drivers). This software allows Windows 7 to communicate with your Mac hardware.

  • Go tohttps://support.apple.com/en-us/102622and select your Mac device. In the table, find the model and production date of your mac and then select the number that corresponds with the Windows 7 column. An example image of the MacBook table is shown below.
    • NOTE: If you do not know the model and production date of your Mac, it can be found by clicking on the Apple menu at the top left of your screen, selecting About this Mac, and then clicking More info.

Mac OS X: Boot Camp Windows 7 Installation (1)

  • Once you have selected the number (like the one shown in the image above), download the Windows support software and follow the instructions to copy the .zip file contents onto your USB thumb drive. Once you have done this, your USB thumb or external drive can be set aside as it will not be needed until later.

Mac OS X: Boot Camp Windows 7 Installation (2)


3. Open Boot Camp Assistant.

  • Select the magnifying glass at the top right of the screen and search for "Boot Camp Assistant".
  • Select the program to open it. If you haven't made a backup of your hard drive DO SO NOW.
  • Click Continue at the bottom right corner of the window.

Mac OS X: Boot Camp Windows 7 Installation (3)

4. Insert your Windows 7 installation disc.

  • Uncheck the box that says "Download the latest Windows support software from Apple"
  • Click Continue.

Mac OS X: Boot Camp Windows 7 Installation (4)

5. Boot Camp will now partition your hard drive to make space for Windows 7.

  • A recommended amount of30GB of space was partitioned in the example image below, however, if you wish to adjust the partition size simply click and drag the slider to adjust to your preference.

6. Click Install.

  • Boot Camp will create the Windows partition.
  • Restart your Mac.
  • Open the Windows installer.

Mac OS X: Boot Camp Windows 7 Installation (5)


7.In the Windows installer, follow the onscreen instructions until you're asked whether to do an Upgrade or Custom installation.

  • Select Custom Installation.

8. When asked Where you want to install Windows:

  • Select the partition named "BOOTCAMP"
  • Select "Drive options (advanced)"

Mac OS X: Boot Camp Windows 7 Installation (6)


9. Click Format, then click OK.

Mac OS X: Boot Camp Windows 7 Installation (7)


10. Follow the onscreen instructions to finish installing and configuring Windows. After you install the Windows software, your Mac will automatically restart using Windows.

  • Use the Windows setup screens to complete any final configurations-- you will eventually come to a screen prompting you to enter your activation license (The one given to you from OnTheHub).
  • Alternatively, you can skip this step, however, you will eventually need to enter the activation license code later.

11. Your Mac will restart one last time and boot into Windows.

  • Insert the USB thumb drive with the Boot Camp support software that you downloaded earlier.
    • An installer may start automatically. If it doesn’t, double-click the setup.exe file in the Boot Camp folder of the USB flash drive and follow the on-screen instructions.
  • When it has finished, your computer will restart and boot into Windows 7.

Mac OS X: Boot Camp Windows 7 Installation (8)


Additional Information

You may notice that when you power on your Mac after a restart or shutdown that it automatically boots into Windows 7.

  • If you wish to boot into OS X instead, hold down the Option key when you see the grey screen appear at start-up and then select "Macintosh HD".


Referenced from: Apple Support

17349
3/20/2024 10:38:45 AM

We love feedback! Please Help us improve this article.

GROK is a resource of Louisiana State University developed and maintained with support of the LSU Student Technology Fee.We love getting feedback from the general public, but our support efforts are generally dedicated to the LSU community.Thanks for your understanding!

Mac OS X: Boot Camp Windows 7 Installation (2024)

FAQs

Mac OS X: Boot Camp Windows 7 Installation? ›

Boot Camp 6.0 added support for 64-bit versions of Windows 10. Boot Camp 6.1, available on macOS 10.12 Sierra and later, will only accept new installations of Windows 7 and later; this requirement was upgraded to requiring Windows 10 for macOS 10.14 Mojave. Boot Camp is currently not available on Apple silicon Macs.

Does Boot Camp still support Windows 7? ›

Boot Camp 6.0 added support for 64-bit versions of Windows 10. Boot Camp 6.1, available on macOS 10.12 Sierra and later, will only accept new installations of Windows 7 and later; this requirement was upgraded to requiring Windows 10 for macOS 10.14 Mojave. Boot Camp is currently not available on Apple silicon Macs.

How do I reinstall Windows on my Mac with Boot Camp? ›

To install Windows 10, use Boot Camp Assistant, which is included with your Mac.
  1. Check your Secure Boot setting. ...
  2. Use Boot Camp Assistant to create a Windows partition. ...
  3. Format the Windows (BOOTCAMP) partition. ...
  4. Install Windows. ...
  5. Use the Boot Camp installer in Windows.
Apr 15, 2024

Can I download Windows 7 on my Mac? ›

For Mac users who also need to use a PC at work, home or just with specific applications, there is a solution. Using Boot Camp Assistant, you can install Windows 7 on your Intel-based Mac computer in its own partition. You'll have a dual-boot system with your Mac OS on one partition and Windows on another.

How do I switch from Mac to Windows in Boot Camp? ›

Start up in Windows from macOS

When your Mac begins to restart, press and hold the Option (or Alt) ⌥ key on your keyboard. Release the key when you see a window (pictured above) showing all available startup volumes. Select the Boot Camp volume, then press Return or click the up arrow.

How to install Windows 7 on Mac using Boot Camp? ›

Installation Instructions
  1. Check your Mac for updates. ...
  2. You will now download the Windows support software (drivers). ...
  3. Open Boot Camp Assistant. ...
  4. Insert your Windows 7 installation disc. ...
  5. Boot Camp will now partition your hard drive to make space for Windows 7. ...
  6. Click Install.
Mar 20, 2024

How to install Windows in an old Mac? ›

Connect an external USB drive or insert a flash drive into the USB port on your Mac; keep it connected or inserted while you install Windows and the Windows support software. On your Mac, open Boot Camp Assistant , located in /Applications/Utilities. At the introduction screen, click Continue.

Which Macs can run Windows 7? ›

Officially, Apple supports Windows 7 -- at least the 32-bit version -- on all Intel-based Macs with the exception of the following: iMac "Core Duo" 1.83 17-Inch.

How to create bootable USB Windows 7 on Mac? ›

After following these steps, you should have a bootable Windows USB drive.
  1. Download a Windows disc image (i.e. ISO file) ...
  2. Identify your USB drive. ...
  3. Format USB drive. ...
  4. Mount the Windows ISO and check its size. ...
  5. Copy (almost) all files to USB drive. ...
  6. Use wimlib to split and copy sources/install.

Is it legal to install Windows on a Mac? ›

Windows on Mac Q&A - Revised March 22, 2010

To be notified of new Q&As, sign up for EveryMac.com's bimonthly email list. Is it legal to run Windows on the Mac? Yes, provided that one purchases the copy of Windows that is installed.

How do I start Windows from Mac Boot Camp? ›

in the right side of the taskbar, click the Boot Camp icon , then choose Boot Camp Control Panel. If a User Account Control dialog appears, click Yes. Select the startup disk that has the default operating system you want to use. If you want to start up using the default operating system now, click Restart.

How to change macOS to Windows? ›

Switch with Restart
  1. Restart Your Computer. In Windows: ...
  2. Option Key. After you have clicked Restart, hold down one of the options key until a grey screen shows on your computer.
  3. Choose the Desired Operating System. Double-click on the operating system you would like to use. ...
  4. Padlock Screen. ...
  5. Success!

Can you run Windows on a Mac without Boot Camp? ›

How do I switch from Mac to Windows without Boot Camp? You can easily switch between macOS and Windows without Boot Camp by restarting your computer and holding down the Option or Alt key during startup. This will bring up a menu where you can choose your desired operating system.

Is Window 7 still running? ›

Microsoft is ending support for Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 operating systems from January 10, 2023. Windows 7 was first released in 2009 as the successor to Windows Vista. Microsoft has announced that it is ending support for Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 operating systems from January 10, 2023.

Is Boot Camp still supported? ›

Unfortunately, Apple only supports Boot Camp on Macs with an Intel processor. Since Apple has been updating its Macs to run on its own Apple silicon (i.e. M1, M2, and M3) processors, few Macs are still available that let you dual-boot Windows or run Windows apps natively with an Intel processor.

Does Call of Duty work on Windows 7? ›

Windows Operating system

Learn more about Windows 10 Compatibility for Call of Duty: Warzone. Call of Duty: Warzone does not support Windows 7 and Windows 8.

What Windows do I need for Boot Camp? ›

What you need. The keyboard and mouse or trackpad that came with your Mac. If they aren't available, use a USB keyboard and mouse. A full-installation, 64-bit version of Windows 10 on a disk image (ISO file) or other installation media.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Fr. Dewey Fisher

Last Updated:

Views: 6386

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (42 voted)

Reviews: 89% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Fr. Dewey Fisher

Birthday: 1993-03-26

Address: 917 Hyun Views, Rogahnmouth, KY 91013-8827

Phone: +5938540192553

Job: Administration Developer

Hobby: Embroidery, Horseback riding, Juggling, Urban exploration, Skiing, Cycling, Handball

Introduction: My name is Fr. Dewey Fisher, I am a powerful, open, faithful, combative, spotless, faithful, fair person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.