Install Windows 8.1 on an Early 2020 MacBook Air (With Intel CPUs)

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Install Windows 8.1 on an Early 2020 MacBook Air (With Intel CPUs)

I want to install Windows 8.1 on my Intel MacBook Air 2020 running Big Sur (Not the M1 ones) but BootCamp only allows Windows 10 installations which I don't want. I tried several solutions but they all failed:

Downgrade to High Sierra (Last version that supports BootCamp 8.1 officially)

How it failed: HighSierra installer blocked

Use a W8.1 ISO to trick BootCamp Assistant to install 8.1

How it failed: It finds out that it is a 8.1 ISO, blocking the installation

Use a Windows PC to burn a USB to be bootable to the W8.1 installer

How it failed: Boots into the installer but the keyboard and trackpad doesn't work

Put Windows Support Software in the bootable 8.1 USB

How it failed: Support Software doesn't work

So how could I install W8.1 on my Early 2020 MacBook Air?

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 11.4

Posted on Jul 16, 2021 8:07 PM

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Answer 1

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Loner T

Level 9

59,471 points

Aug 8, 2021 7:31 AM in response to memer420

memer420 wrote:

*The WindowsSupport drivers worked as the installer detected my Bootcamp partitions with no problem. The WindowsSupport folder proves that my MacBook supports Windows 8.1 B)

The drivers used in Windows Support can support more than one model. Drawing a conclusion that W8.1 is supported because some Windows Support drivers work, is a very poor conclusion. You need to run a W8.1 VM, if you really need W8.1.

Is there specific software that does not work on W10, but works only on W8.1? Another option to consider is to find a 2014 or older Mac and use it as a W8.1 Mac, or look for an older PC.

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Answer 2

memer420 Author

Level 1

9 points

Aug 8, 2021 7:15 AM in response to Loner T

So is there a workaround? I booted into a USB installer that I made using Rufus and used a Windows-compatitable mouse and a Lightening to USB adapter to get through the installer, but after everything completed it refuses to boot into the OOBE. However, when I observed the partition with macOS, the system files were complete. I forgot what error messages it gave me, but I can't close them as not even the Windows-compatitable mouse shows up

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Answer 3

Loner T

Level 9

59,471 points

Jul 18, 2021 3:49 AM in response to memer420

Your 2020 Mac does not support installing W8.1 using Bootcamp. See Use Windows 8.1 on your Mac with Boot Camp - Apple Support for reference.

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Answer 4

memer420 Author

Level 1

9 points

Jul 16, 2021 8:10 PM in response to memer420

(What I have:

An early 2020 MacBook Air running Big Sur 11.4

A Windows PC with Rufus installed

The 8.1 ISO image

VirtualBox (Windows Emulator)

A 16GB USB

Windows Support Software for my Mac)

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Answer 5

Loner T

Level 9

59,471 points

Jul 17, 2021 2:33 AM in response to memer420

You mention VirtualBox. Did you try installing W8.1 as a VM on the Mac? See Chapter 3 of the https://download.virtualbox.org/virtualbox/6.1.22/UserManual.pdf.

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Answer 6

memer420 Author

Level 1

9 points

Jul 17, 2021 7:15 PM in response to Loner T

I mean I want native 8.1. I mentioned VirtualBox because it can run Rufus to burn a bootable USB.

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Answer 7

memer420 Author

Level 1

9 points

Aug 8, 2021 7:22 AM in response to memer420

*The WindowsSupport drivers worked as the installer detected my Bootcamp partitions with no problem. The WindowsSupport folder proves that my MacBook supports Windows 8.1 B)

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