Bootcamp has long been the default way to run Windows on a Mac. We’ve covered it before, and you can use the MacOS tool to partition your Mac’s hard drive to install Windows in its own space. There are also tools like Parallels, which lets you install Windows in a virtual machine on top of MacOS.
However, I recently purchased a new MacBook Pro 2019, and I wondered if it would be possible to install Windows 10 on it, without using Bootcamp. I wanted to specifically do this to keep my MacOS and Windows stuff separate, and also preserve all of the 128GB of disk space on my base model MacBook for MacOS.
- Windows 10, like Windows 8, supports booting from either a BIOS or the EFI. Unfortunately, driver support can be a bit hit and miss when booting Windows in EFI mode. For example, the Mid–2012 13-inch MacBook Pro will happily boot into Windows 10 in EFI mode, but for whatever reason Windows 10 will absolutely refuse to recognise the sound card.
- Tech support scams are an industry-wide issue where scammers trick you into paying for unnecessary technical support services. You can help protect yourself from scammers by verifying that the contact is a Microsoft Agent or Microsoft Employee and that the phone number is an official Microsoft global customer service number.
After doing some research from multiple YouTube videos and guides on Google, I found out how. Please be aware, though, that my piece isn’t meant to be a guide, it’s a personal look at how I got Windows running on my MacBook, without using Bootcamp. Apple still recommends Bootcamp as the best method for installing Windows 10 on a Mac.
And, just like with using Bootcamp or Parallels on MacOS, I want to mention that I still needed to buy a valid, unused Windows 10 license key to legally and properly activate Windows. Finally, I want to mention that while my method works, you’ll be following at your own risk if you decide to use my experience for inspiration. We can’t be held liable for damages to your computer.
Confirm your Mac’s requirements: Before getting started, make sure your Mac has the available disk. Businesses are finding they need an added layer of security and manageability as their company moves to remote work. Windows 10 Pro adds several advanced features, including Azure Active Directory, Domain Join, Windows Information Protection 1, BitLocker 2, Remote desktop 3, and a suite of tools designed for business use.If your business is looking to upgrade Windows 10 Home machines to.
Step 1: Gather the materials
Before getting started, there were a couple of things I needed. First off, I purchased an external SSD which I knew would be fast enough to handle Windows. I also had another USB drive handy so I could transfer the Bootcamp support files off my Mac and into Windows during install.
I also needed an external keyboard and mouse. Once the MacBook initially boots into Windows, the mouse and keyboard the MacBook don’t work for the out of the box set up due to the lack of drivers. Of course, I also needed to have an existing Windows 10 PC with an internet connection and a valid Windows 10 install. This is because I had to download a Windows ISO and the Bootcamp support tools, as well as the WintoUSB support tool.
Step 2: Download the Windows 10 ISO and WintoUSB
Instalar Windows En Macbook Pro
To begin my process, I headed to my Windows 10 PC and downloaded the Windows 10 ISO using the media creation tool. The download is free, but a Windows 10 license is required to activate Windows once it successfully booted on my MacBook.
While Windows 10 was downloading, I also downloaded WintoUSB. This is a free tool that lets me install Windows 10 to an external SSD drive. The software bypasses the measure from Microsoft which disallows installing Windows 10 on external drives. The free version only allows for the installation of Windows 10 Home, but a $25 upgrade will let you install Windows 10 Pro if wanted.
Step 3: Disable the security features of the Apple T2 Chip in the MacBook
Next, I had to turn on my MacBook and disable the security features of the Apple T2 chip. It’s a bit like the features built into the BIOS of modern Windows PCs, as the Apple T2 chip is set so that a MacBook will only boot trusted operating systems from Apple.
By default, the T2 Chip also disables the ability to boot from an external drive, so I had to turn this off this to boot Windows externally. Disabling this had no side effect on my MacOS installation. TouchID and other areas of MacOS still work just fine.
To disable the security features in the T2 chip, I turned on my MacBook. Once on, I held down the Command and R keys until I saw the Apple Logo. The MacBook then booted into a recovery space. I then choose Utilities > Startup Security Utility from the menu bar.
After authentication, under Secure Boot, I then clicked No Security. And, under external boot, I choose to allow booting from external media. When done, I clicked the X to close the window. I ended by going to the Apple menu and shutting down my Mac as usual
Step 4: Download the Bootcamp Support drivers
Next up, I had to go back to my MacBook. I logged in as usual and searched for Bootcamp in Spotlight. When it was open, I clicked the menu bar at the top and choose Action, followed by Download Windows Support Software. To continue, I saved it to my desktop. When finished, I plugged a separate USB drive into my MacBook and copied the folder and files I just downloaded.
Step 5: Use WintoUSB & then copy the Bootcamp Files to the Drive
Next, back to my Windows 10 PC, I installed WintoUSB and then plugged in the SSD. To get started with this process, I had to click where it says Image File. I then navigated to where I saved the Windows 10 ISO file, and choose it.
I then had to click Windows 10 Home and choose Next. After that, I clicked Next and chose my SSD from the drop-down menu. I also had chosen GPT for UEFI where it says Selected device needs to be formatted. To continue, I choose Legacy under Installation mode and click Next. Win to USB then created a bootable version of Windows. It took about 10-15 minutes to complete.
When the process was finished, I copied the BootCamp Support files I had downloaded earlier off the USB and onto the root of the SSD with the new Windows install. This was important for the next step.
Step 6: Boot your Macbook from the newly created SSD or USB and then install the drivers
To end the process, I had to boot my MacBook from the external SSD. With the security features of the T2 chip disabled, I did this by holding down the Option Key when I saw the Apple logo. I then choose the external SSD as the boot drive. It was labeled UEFI.
Pc line in recording software. As Windows didn’t have the drivers for my MacBook yet, I had to plug in a keyboard and mouse into my MacBook via one of the USB-C ports. I also used a USB-C hub and plugged my Macbook into an ethernet cable, because I wanted to sign in with a Microsoft account on the setup.
I set up Windows as usual, and once I was on the desktop, I opened up the File Explorer, and clicked the C drive and opened the folder that says Windows Support. I then launched the Bootcamp set up program to install all the proper drivers for my MacBook.
This final part took a while and caused the Bootcamp installer to freeze, but I used Task Manager to kill the Bootcamp process and then rebooted the MacBook and tried again. It eventually worked and I got a working version of Windows running externally on my MacBook!
Why did I do this? And what are the benefits?
So, the question remains, why did I do this to begin with? Well, as I said before, my MacBook Pro only has 128GB of storage. I am using my MacBook for video editing, so storage is at a premium. I didn’t want to run Windows in Bootcamp or in Parallels and take away valuable storage space from my MacBook. By running it externally from an SSD, I freed up that space, and I was able to keep Windows separate from MacOS. This is one advantage to my method.
I also opted for a 500GB SSD, so I was able to gain more storage space that my MacBook has for Windows to begin with. And, since I mainly use Windows on a daily basis, I had the same storage space for Windows that I do on my usual Windows machine, the Surface Laptop 3. I actually am using my MacBook as my main machine now, too, for this same reason.
Of course, there are some caveats. Windows 10 works fine on a MacBook when running externally. The battery life and overall system performance of the MacBook are the same as it would be if Windows was running on an internal drive. That’s about 6 hours of battery and good performance for multitasking in Edge.
However, the read and write speeds in Windows are not nearly as fast as it would be if it was running on the MacBook’s internal SSD. This is due to the limitation of the external SSD itself, which only hits around 550MB/S read and write speeds.
Still, though, this is a nifty little trick that I am glad I pondered upon. Some people might want to try my method to turn a MacBook into a full-blown Windows machine.
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Tags: Apple | MacBook | MacBook Pro | Microsoft | Windows 10
Shifting from Windows to macOS can be tough for most people. It gets tougher if you use a lot of Windows-only software. Of course, you can find macOS alternatives for your favorite apps but that doesn’t work all the time. That is why, at least once in a while, you think about how to run Windows apps on Mac. This way, you will be able to enjoy (almost) the same app experience on your Mac.
As it happens, there are a number of solutions to run Windows on MacBook Pro. It is, in fact, handy, because one method would not be suitable for everyone, you know. In this article, we have listed some of the best ways on how to run Windows apps on MacBook Pro and iMac. The following methods also work on MacBook Air, but the performance is less than satisfactory. So, will address MacBook Pro and iMac only.
Not all these methods will work on every Mac out there. You will have to check aspects like storage space, processing power, and memory before proceeding.
Read: Top 10 Free macOS Apps to Boost Your Productivity
Put Windows on MacBook Pro and iMac
#1 Windows on MacBook Pro with Boot Camp Assistant
Unlike Windows, which can not run macOS. Mac, on the other hand, can easily dual-boot Windows and macOS using a built-in tool called Boot Camp Assistant. The catch here is that you can run either macOS or Windows at a time. So, you have to reboot your device for accessing Windows apps. Of course, when compared to using an entirely different Windows PC, this method makes sense.
Boot Camp lets you install Windows alongside macOS, by creating a different hard disk partition. Since there is a Boot Camp assistant, you can easily shift between the two OSs. It should be noted that when you create a dedicated Windows partition inside your Mac, you get complete hardware support. Suppose you want to play some Windows-only games. Then, Boot Camp is the best option, indeed.
How To install Mac on Windows with Boot Camp
Before you start, you will need a 16 GB flash drive and Windows ISO file, to create a bootable drive to install Windows.
Just launch the Boot Camp app on your Mac and proceed with the instructions. At one point, you have to partition the hard disk accordingly. Depending on the size of your Mac HD, you can allocate the sufficient amount of space to the Windows installation. Your Mac needs at least 2GB of RAM (most newer models have 8 GB) and at least 30GB of free hard drive space to properly run Boot Camp.
Then, you have to go through the standard Windows installation procedure. Once done, restart your Mac and hold down the Option key until you see the boot manager. From there you can select Windows or macOS.
Read: How to Automatically Mute your Mac When it Wakes Up From Sleep
Pros
- You are run Windows games through Steam with Boot Camp
- You can use the Mac for playing Windows-only games
- Since you are not sharing your resources with other OS, the performance will be better.
Cons
- It doesn’t let you run Windows apps and macOS apps side by side
- You have to reboot the system every time to access the other OS
- It doesn’t require a Windows license key for setting up Boot Camp
Who Is It For
When will the new apple os be available. Installing Windows on Mac using Boot Camp is the best choice when you need performance. If you want to play some Windows-only games or run some heavy-duty Windows apps, this option is the best. As we said earlier, there are some downsides.
#2 Windows on MacBook Pro using VirtualBox
Making a virtual machine inside your Mac will let you run Windows apps. Because you are running a system inside your Mac environment, there is no need to reboot the computer. Whenever you want to use Windows apps, you can simply launch the virtual machine and start working. It has to be noted that we are using the popular, free and open source software, VirtualBox. If you want better UI, go with VMware, though it’s paid.
Read: 5 Best Ways to Password Protect Folder on Mac
Now, VirtualBox is not only powerful but also hassle-free. You can install it on your Mac and create a virtual machine that runs on various platforms, not just Windows. For instance, if you want to install Ubuntu within the Mac environment, VirtualBox is the perfect option. For now, let’s talk about how to use VirtualBox for running Windows apps on Mac.
How To
Setting up VirtualBox is really simple. You can download and install the program on your Mac and launch it. You will have to provide the Windows 10 ISO file to proceed. In the upcoming sections, allocate the amount of virtual RAM and Virtual hard-disk space. There is also Dynamic Setting, where the system would consume the required amount of storage space.
After this, you have the standard Windows installation procedure. Once you have provided the serial key, it lets you run Windows apps seamlessly. Depending on the Mac performance and storage space, you will be able to create as many virtual machines as you want.
Pros
- You don’t have to reboot the computer to access Windows
- In a way, you can run Windows and Mac apps side-by-side
- VirtualBox is completely free to use
Cons
- You can’t run Windows games through Steam with Virtual Box
- Performance is lower when compared to Boot Camp
- You need a Windows license key for this method
Who Is It For
VirtualBox is the best option if you need a full Windows experience within your Mac environment. As we’ve said, you will be able to run Mac and Windows apps side by side. Apple com app store download. Although it’s not perfect, you can give it a try. Lower performance is a major downside, though.
#3 Windows on MacBook Pro Using Parallels Desktop
In the above method using VirtualBox, performance was the real issue also it didn’t have the best looking UI. Parallels Desktop is quite an answer for that. Parallels Desktop lets you run Windows and macOS apps side-by-side without making a compromise in the performance sector. This tool is recommended for people who have recently shifted to Mac from Windows.
Of course, Parallels Desktop is a paid software ($74 with 14-day free trial). It has been optimized to offer equal performance to both the Windows experience and macOS experience. You can run a virtualized version of Windows 10 and run your favorite apps side-by-side. Depending on the version of Parallels Desktop you have, you can have up to 128 GB of virtual RAM and 32 Virtual CPUs.
How To
Parallels Desktop lets you create a Windows experience in two ways. You can either install a Windows PC all fresh. Or, if you already have a Boot Camp partition ready, Parallels Desktop will re-use it. Unlike Boot Camp, you will be able to run Windows and macOS at the same time. Once the standard installation is done, you’ll be able to launch Windows apps from the Mac dock!
As said earlier, apart from a performance boost, Parallels Desktop lets you run both apps at a time. Thanks to seamless integration, even file management would work fine.
Pros
- Parallels Desktop offers one of the best performance management options
- You can run both Windows and macOS apps side-by-side
- There is no need to reboot your computer
- Better resource allocation options
Cons
- You need a Windows license key for using Parallels Desktop
- Parallels Desktop doesn’t offer a free version
- You will have to pay extra every year ($50) for the new update.
Who Is It For
Parallels Desktop is the best option for running Windows apps on Mac with full performance. Normal users and professionals will love the awesome level of integration and resource management options. The tool is even offering Touch Bar support for Windows 10.
#4 Windows on MacBook Pro Using WineBottler
If you have ever used Linux distros, you may have heard of Wine. It’s a utility that lets you run Windows apps in other platforms. Fortunately, Wine is available for macOS as well. It lets you run Windows apps on Mac without rebooting your computer. The best part is that you don’t even have to create a virtual machine to do this.
Now, WineBottler for Mac isn’t a perfect solution. There are glitches for sure. However, you will be able to run most of the basic Windows apps without any problem. Be it browsers like Internet Explorer, media players or some non-heavy games, WineBottler would handle it perfectly. It even lets you install some popular programs directly from its interface.
![Windows En Macbook Pro Windows En Macbook Pro](https://www.setaswall.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Artistic-Wallpaper-720x1480-380x781.jpg)
How To
WineBottler comes as a nice package for macOS installation. You can download and install it on your Mac. It lets you either choose the programs by yourself or simply run the exe or msi file. In either case, WineBottler would start running the program on your macOS screen without any hassle. WineBottler offers compatibility with the latest macOS High Sierra, which is great.
The main perk here is that you don’t have to go through the traditional Windows installation procedure. As we said earlier, WineBottler is completely free to use. That having said, you can always make a donation if you’re interested.
Pros
- You can run Windows and Mac apps side-by-side
- It doesn’t consume many resources from your Mac
- It doesn’t require rebooting your computer
- WineBottler doesn’t want you to provide a Windows license key
Cons
- Rendering is not perfect; there are some bugs
- Winebottler beta was last updated for Mavericks.
- You cannot run resource-intensive programs
Who Is It For
WineBottler is the best way to run simple Windows apps on your Mac. You don’t have to worry about techy stuff like virtualization or Windows key licenses. You can also run Windows apps and macOS apps completely side-by-side. WineBottler is free to use as well.
#5 Windows on MacBook Pro Using CrossOver
CrossOver for Mac is an awesome tool that lets you run Windows and macOS apps at the same time. It was developed from the core code of WineBottler, but there are major improvements. Like, Parallels Desktop, CrossOver for Mac lets you launch Windows apps from the Mac dock itself. However, it doesn’t involve virtualization or Windows installation.
There are some other perks as well. For instance, CrossOver for Mac offers access to a big library of known software. As we did in WineBottler, you can use exe files as well. Also, you are not losing storage space since CrossOver for Mac doesn’t need a partition. If you don’t want all the hassle of installing Windows and other techy things, this would be the best choice.
How To
In case you didn’t guess yet, CrossOver for Mac is a paid software ($15 per year). You can download and install it from the official website. Post installation, you can add favorite Windows apps to the collection. As said earlier, it lets you search for popular software and download the program via CrossOver for Mac. Once the installation is done, you can launch the Windows app from CrossOver interface.
Compared to WineBottler, CrossOver for Mac offers a better experience. You also get a better collection of software to install. Likewise, CrossOver for Mac lets you find an awesome collection of help articles and video tutorials.
Pros
- You can run Windows and macOS apps side by side
- CrossOver for Mac offers the best integration
- It doesn’t want you to have a Windows license key
- CrossOver for Mac does not consume much storage space
- No need to reboot the computer for accessing Windows apps
Cons
- It doesn’t offer a free version
Who Is It For
CrossOver for Mac is for you if you don’t want the hassle of virtualization or partition. Compared to any other solution we listed, CrossOver for Mac offers better support, integration, and usability. Although you have to pay for it, it’s less than what a Windows license would cost.
#6 Windows on MacBook Pro Using VMWare Fusion
VMWare Fusion and Parallels Desktop are somewhat similar when it comes to running Windows on Mac. In spite of that, there are some differences too. Most people go for VMWare Fusion when they need powerful virtualization experience on their Macs. Compared to other solutions here, VMWare offers a notable amount of customization as well.
Just like we discussed in the case of Parallels Desktop, you can import an existing Boot Camp partition. If you have an old Windows PC, you can import that too. Compared to the other virtualization tools we’ve seen, it gives more importance to performance. It also offers better support for other products from VMWare such as cloud integration.
How to
Installing and running VMWare Fusion on Mac is pretty easy. If you have used VirtualBox in the past, you will have no trouble with the process. Once set up, you can click on the + button and proceed with creating one virtual machine. As we said earlier, VMWare Fusion lets you customize the virtual machine as much as you can.
You also have an option to create a Custom Virtual Machine, which offers better control. This option would be better if you need the virtual machine for professional needs.
Pros
- Offers better control over virtual machine
- You don’t have to reboot the computer to access Windows
- VMWare Fusion offers better integration between your Mac and the virtual Windows machine
Cons
- Requires a Windows license key
- Running apps side-by-side isn’t perfect
Who Is It For
As we said, VMWare Fusion is the best option for professionals who need a Windows PC within the Mac. It’s offering better control over the virtual machine and how it functions. Normal users, however, may find other options more suitable.
#7 Windows on MacBook Pro Using Remote Desktop
Some might say that this isn’t even an option at all. However, if you think the abovementioned options can’t work out, you should try this. In this case, to use Windows apps on Mac, you will actually have to use one of the best remote desktop clients. For this, you should have a spare Windows PC that you can connect to. As we said, the fact itself defeats the purpose of the method.
If you think that works, there are some methods out there. First, you can use Chrome Remote Desktop that is quick and intuitive. You just need Chrome installed on your Mac as well as the Windows PC. On the other hand, if you need some professional screen-sharing features, you should go for TeamViewer, which is also a free program to use.
How To Get Windows On Macbook Pro
Pros
- You don’t have to do any installation
- Although a bit tough, you can run Windows and macOS apps side by side
Cons
- You should have an entirely different Windows PC running the program
- It also, in turn, requires you to have a Windows license
- This method won’t work without a powerful network connection
Who Is It For
This is the worst-case scenario option, as we said. We’d recommend this option only if others don’t work out in your case. There are a lot of downsides, such as the need to have a real Windows PC and the necessity of having a powerful internet connection.
Get Windows on MacBook Pro and iMac
We hope you loved the 7 recommendations for put Windows on MacBook Pro and iMac. Depending on the need and your budget, you can choose between the options. If you’re ready to pay and want to use Windows apps on Mac seamlessly, we’d recommend CrossOver for Mac. On the other hand, if you are ready for virtualization and associated tech, Parallels Desktop and VMWare Fusion are good options. On the other hand, if you don’t mind having an entire Windows OS on your Mac, go for Boot Camp method.
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