Use Boot Camp

Since the release of Apple OS 10.6, Apple computers (Macs) now have the option of running a variety of operating systems, not just Apple OS X. Apple's Boot Camp utility lets you create a hard drive partition on which you can install Windows on a Mac. This guide will show you how to use Boot Camp.

Steps

Using Boot Camp Assistant to Partition Your Hard Drive

  1. Expand your Applications menu and select the Utilities folder.
  2. Double-click the Boot Camp Assistant icon.
  3. Print the Installation Guide using the "Print Installation & Setup Guide" button. This document has important information about selecting the correct options for your Windows installation and is not available once you reboot into your Boot Camp partition.
  4. Click "Continue."
  5. Select "Create or remove a Windows partition" and click "Continue."
  6. Determine the type and size of your partition.
    • NTFS partitions are required for Windows Vista and Windows 7 installations. You will not be able to transfer files to this partition when you are in OS X.
    • FAT partitions allow you to read and write files to the partition from within OS X. However, they have a maximum size of 32 GB. Windows XP can be installed on either NTFS or FAT partitions.
  7. Start the partitioning process by clicking the "Partition" button.
    • If the "The disk cannot be partitioned because verification failed" dialog appears, repair your main drive with Disk Utility, reboot, and retry partitioning with Boot Camp Assistant.
    • If a repair and reboot doesn't work, make sure that you have a backup of all your personal information and files, reboot from your Mac OS X installation disc, and erase the disk using Disk Utility. Restore from your backup and try to repartition  with Boot Camp Assistant again.

Installing Windows and Boot Camp Drivers

  1. Load your Windows disc into your optical drive and click the "Start Installation" button when partitioning is complete. This will reboot your computer into the partition you just created.
  2. Follow the on-screen prompts for installing Windows. You will be installing Windows on the BOOTCAMP partition.
  3. Boot into Windows when installation is complete.
    • Hold the Alt/Option key when you start up your Mac.
    • Select the icon for your Windows partition and click the arrow icon or press Enter.
  4. Insert your OS X installation or recovery disc once Windows has finished loading and follow the onscreen instructions to install the necessary drivers for your Mac to work properly in Windows.

Tips

  • If you already have partitions created on your hard drive, you must restore the disk to a single volume before you can partition the drive using Boot Camp.
  • You can select which operating system you would like your Mac to boot into at startup. In OS X, open System Preferences and click Startup Disk. Here you can select the appropriate partition.

Warnings

  • Boot Camp does not support partial or "Upgrade" versions of Windows. You must use full installation versions.
  • If you need to restore your main OS X partition at any point, you must back up your Windows files. All data on the Boot Camp partition will be deleted.
  • You must use Boot Camp Assistant on an internal drive. You cannot partition USB or remote drives with Boot Camp Assistant.
  • Until you install the necessary drivers in Windows, you will not be able to use your wireless peripherals or they will function erratically. Make sure you have a USB mouse and keyboard to use during the Windows installation process.

Things You'll Need

  • Mac OS X 10.6 or later installation or recovery disc
  • USB keyboard and mouse
  • Compatible optical drive
  • Full version installation discs for either Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Windows 7

Related Articles

  • Delete a Boot Camp Partition from Your Mac

Sources and Citations

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