Mac 101: Using Windows on your Mac via Boot Camp

Run Windows at native speed

You can run the Windows operating system on your Mac at native speed--without the performance penalty that comes with software emulation or "virtual machines." Windows applications have full access to multiple processors and multiple cores, accelerated 3D graphics, and high-speed ports and networking such as USB, FireWire, Wi-Fi, AirPort, and Gigabit Ethernet as well as drivers for audio and Bluetooth. The Boot Camp support software for Windows that lets you use these features can be downloaded from Apple. If you're using Mac OS X v10.5 or Mac OS X v10.6, the Boot Camp support software is on the Mac OS X installation DVD. After the installation of Windows is complete and you insert your installation flash drive or disc containing the Boot Camp support software (while booted in Windows), it is automatically installed on your Mac.

Boot Camp supports Microsoft Windows XP with Service Pack 2, Windows Vista, or Windows 7 (requires Mac OS X v10.6 or later and Boot Camp 3.1 or later). For more details, see Boot Camp: System requirements for Microsoft Windows. For information about using 64-bit editions of Windows Vista or Windows 7, see Boot Camp: Macs that work with 64-bit editions of Microsoft Windows Vista and Windows 7.

Boot Camp Assistant creates a partition just for Windows without erasing your existing Mac OS X volume.

After installation, you can switch between Windows and OS X by holding the Option (Alt) key at start up. Or, use the Startup Disk control panel in Windows (installed with Boot Camp support software) or the Mac OS X Startup Disk preferences to set the default operating system to use each time the computer starts up.

Requirements

To use Boot Camp, you need:

1. An Intel-based Mac with a built-in or USB keyboard and a built-in trackpad or USB mouse.
2. Mac OS X v10.5 or later.
3. The latest firmware updates available for your Mac.
4. At least 10 GB (for Windows XP or Windows Vista), 16 GB (for 32-bit Windows 7), or 20 GB (for 64-bit Windows 7) of free space on your startup disk (single partition).
5. A full, single-disc version of Windows 7 (Mac OS X v10.6 or later only), Windows Vista, Windows XP Home Edition or Professional with Service Pack 2 or later. Boot Camp does not include Windows. You must provide your own properly licensed installation disc. Important: A Windows XP installation disc must include Service Pack 2 (SP2). You cannot install an earlier version of Windows and upgrade to Windows XP, nor install an earlier version of Windows XP and update it to SP2. Media Center, OEM, and upgrade versions of Windows XP are not recommended.
   
   Note: OS X Lion only supports new installations of Windows 7.
   
   
6. Boot Camp Assistant (located in /Applications/Utilities/).

For more details, see Boot Camp: System requirements for Microsoft Windows.

Before installing Boot Camp

Before you install, follow these steps:

1. Always back up important data before any software installation.
2. Print the "Boot Camp Installation & Setup Guide" (OS X Lion version, Mac OS X v10.6 version, or Mac OS X v10.5 version) document.
3. Update your Intel-based Mac to the latest version of Mac OS X. Use Software Update, in the Apple () menu to check for the latest software.
4. Download and install the latest firmware updates available for your Mac. Follow the onscreen instructions to complete the firmware installation.

Installing Boot Camp

For specific installation steps, refer to the "Boot Camp Installation & Setup Guide" PDF document that you printed, starting with Step 2 in the PDF. For Windows 7, you may wish to also read the Windows 7 installation frequently asked questions. Note: OS X Lion only supports new installations of Windows 7.