How do I install Windows 7 on a Mac with Bootcamp?
Note: These devices no longer use Boot Camp: MacBook Air M1, 2020 / MacBook Pro 13", M1, 2020 / Mac mini M1, 2020 / iMac 24-inch, M1, 2021. And Apple devices with an M1 chip.
To check if you can install Windows 7, do the following:
- Click on the Apple logo in the menu bar.
- Select About this Mac to view information about your system.
Note: On PCs with Intel processors, you will see Processor. On PCs with the Apple logo, you will see Chip.
Carry out the following process:
Check for available software updates.
Note: Before installing Windows, you will need to install all macOS updates.
- Log in as an administrator.
- Close all open programmes and the sessions of all other users.
- Select Apple Menu > System Preferences.
- Click on General in the sidebar.
- Then click on Software Update, on the right-hand side. (You may need to scroll down).
- Install all available macOS updates.
Note: If your Mac restarts after installing an update, reopen Software Update to install any additional updates.
Prepare the Mac for Windows installation
The Boot Camp Assistant prepares your Mac device by creating a new partition for Windows called BOOTCAMP and downloading the Boot Camp support software.
Note: If using a portable Mac computer, connect it to a power source before continuing.
- Insert your USB into the Mac and open Boot Camp Assistant > Applications > Utilities.
- On the introduction screen, click on Continue.
- Select all options and click on Continue.
- Select the Windows 7 .iso file you have downloaded and the USB drive you want to create the installation file on.
- Decide how much space you need for the Windows package by dragging the centre bar and click on Install.
- Next, your Mac will restart to begin the Windows 7 installation.
Note: The partition size cannot be changed later.
Note: You can refer to the section: How to install Windows 7? by clicking here.
Install Boot Camp on Windows
After installing Windows, the Boot Camp drivers compatible with your Mac device will begin to install.
- In the Boot Camp installer in Windows, follow the on-screen instructions.
- When the installation is complete, click on Finish.
- Once you've restarted the device, follow the instructions from any other installation programmes that appear.
Note: Do not click the Cancel button on any of the installer panels.
Note: If a message appears stating that the software you are installing has not passed the Windows logo test, click on Continue.
Note: It is not necessary to respond to the installer dialogues that briefly appear during the installation process, but if a dialogue asks you to install the device software, click on Install. If nothing happens, there may be hidden windows requiring your attention. Look behind open windows.
Note: If the compatibility programme doesn't automatically install, you'll need to install it manually.