Boot Camp: System requirements for Microsoft Windows
Summary
Apple's Boot Camp software, included with Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard and 10.6 Snow Leopard, lets you install and run Microsoft Windows and Windows-based applications on your Intel-based Mac. This article details the system and Windows disc requirements to use Boot Camp.
Products Affected
Boot Camp, Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Windows Vista
System requirements
To use Boot Camp with Mac OS X 10.5 or later, you need the following:
- An Intel-based Mac
- A Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard or 10.6 Snow Leopard installation disc. This can be either a Mac OS X disc included with a purchased copy, or a Mac OS X Install Disc 1 from a Mac that had Mac OS X preinstalled
- A USB keyboard and mouse, or a built-in keyboard and trackpad
- At least 10 GB of free space on the disk you’re installing on (for Microsoft Windows and Windows-based applications)
- Boot Camp Assistant, which is installed by Leopard in /Applications/Utilities/
You will also need one of the following Microsoft Windows discs:
- An authentic, 32-bit Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition or Professional with Service Pack 2 or Service Pack 3 disc
- An authentic, 32-bit Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic, Home Premium, Business, or Ultimate disc
- With some Mac Pro or MacBook Pro computers, an authentic, 64-bit Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic, Home Premium, Business, or Ultimate disc
See Boot Camp 2.0: Which versions of Microsoft Windows are supported? for more information.
Important: For a Windows XP installation, your Microsoft Windows XP installation disc must include Service Pack 2 (SP2) or Service Pack 3 (SP3). Boot Camp 2.1 must be installed prior to upgrading Windows XP to Service Pack 3 (SP3) or Windows Vista to Service Pack 1 (SP1).
You should always use the latest version of Boot Camp available for your version of Mac OS X. Choose Apple > Software Update to check for available Mac OS X updates. All available firmware updates for your computer should also be installed.
Additional Information
Important: Apple does not provide technical phone support for installing, using, or recovering Microsoft Windows. Support is available for using Boot Camp Setup Assistant, as well as installing or restoring Boot Camp software while booted into Windows. Support articles and discussions may also be available on Apple's support website.
Important: Information about products not manufactured by Apple is provided for information purposes only and does not constitute Apple’s recommendation or endorsement. Please contact the vendor for additional information.