Getting Windows 7 on the Mid 2011 MacBook Air EASILY *TESTED*

Greetings!

As this is my first post, I wanted to make it count. Thus I have decided to compile a simple guide on EASILY getting Windows 7 installed on to your mid-2011 MacBook Air.

I have been following the many threads around here regarding the trouble people are having getting Windows 7 installed on to their Mid-2011 MacBook Air's. I have read complaints of Windows Support Software (drivers) downloads taking too long, of not being able to save the Windows Support Software correctly to a USB key, etc, etc.

The following process is relatively simple, but not as simple as it should be. I'm quite certain as Lion matures, some of the Bootcamp issues we have been having will be remediated.

This procedure has been tested on the following platform:

Mid-2011 11" MacBook Air ~ 1.6GHz i5, 4GB RAM, 128GB Flash (SSD) HDD

What's Wrong?:

1. On the MacBook Air platform specifically, users are expected to have a Windows 7 ISO before beginning. Some users have stated that this can be accomplished easily using the DISK UTILITY ISO CREATION FEATURE. THIS WILL NOT WORK. THE MOST IMPORTANT ASPECT OF PUTTING THE WINDOWS 7 ISO ONTO A USB KEY IS MAKING IT BOOTABLE! You need to make the USB key you're installing to bootable, plain and simple.

2. I tested the Windows Support Software drivers after downloading them and the Intel HD3000 GPU and Sound Drivers do not install properly.

3. Creating a Windows 7 Startup Disk through Bootcamp hangs.

What You'll Need:

1. A Windozzze box

2. A DVD-ROM Drive

3. Internet Access (for downloading a Win7 ISO in case you don't have a Win7 install DVD and other necessary utilities)

4. ISODisk - http://www.isodisk.com/ - 100% FREE

5. Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool - http://download.cnet.com/Windows-7-USB-DVD-Download-Tool/3000-18513_4-10972600.h tml- 100% FREE (you may also acquire this tool from Microshaft)

6. A little patience

7. A LEGAL Windows 7 license to activate Windows 7 after 30 days.

8. 2 FORMATTED USB DRIVES.

NOTE: Technically you only need 1 USB drive, however, you will need to get the Bootcamp drivers from OS X onto a USB key. To make this easy, the Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool will format one drive as an NTFS partition and the other drive should be formatted as a simple MS-FAT partition (can do this through DISK UTILITY, if you don't know how, Google it, very simple).

Let's Get'r Done:

1. Boot up your Windoze box.

2. Insert your Windows 7 Install DVD into your DVD-ROM.

3. (OPTIONAL) This step may be performed in lieu of step #2 if you don't have a Windows 7 Install DVD, download a Windows 7 ISO (don't download illegaly) from Microsoft. You may skip to step #6 if this is how you're to proceed.

4. Download and install ISODisk.

5. Create an ISO of your Windows 7 Install DVD - Select the DVD within the ISODisk app, choose a name and save location, create your ISO. *This takes a bit to complete*.

6. Download and install the Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool.

7. Open the Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool, ensure you have inserted the USB key you intend to use for Windoze 7, once the ISO has been created from step #5 or you already have one from step #2, select the USB button and create your USB/Windows 7 ISO Disk (all this does is place the necessary Windows 7 boot files on the USB key so that the Windows 7 ISO may be booted from the USB key).

8. Once complete, safely eject your Windows 7 USB key and move on over to your beautiful Mac. Place the Windows 7 USB Key aside for the time being.

9. Once booted, place the second USB key (the USB key you intend to use for your Bootcamp drivers) into your beautiful Mac. Ensure that it's formatted as MS-FAT, you can do this via DISK UTILITY, Google it if you don't know how.

10. Navigate to Mac HD --> Library --> Application Support --> Bootcamp --> Here you will find a BootCamp DMG file, this is a large file that contains the necessary Windoze 7 Drivers for the MacBook Air, DOUBLE-CLICK IT TO MOUNT IT, a FINDER window will appear revealing its contents. Perform a Shift-A to select all files, RIGHT-CLICK and select COPY.

11. DOUBLE-CLICK your MS-FAT USB key, PASTE the files from step #10 onto the drive. You now have your Windows 7 Driver disk. Place the Bootcamp Drivers USB Key aside for the time being.

12. Open the BOOTCAMP ASSISTANT, this is located in your Mac HD --> Applications --> Utilties Folder.

13. IMPORTANT!!!

Uncheck "CREATE A WINDOWS 7 INSTALL DISK"

Uncheck "DOWNLOAD THE LATEST WINDOWS SUPPORT SOFTWARE FROM APPLE" - At least for now to get you up and running.

14. Ensure that "INSTALL WINDOWS 7" is SELECTED and click continue.

15. Insert your Windows 7 ISO USB Key into your beautiful Mac.

16. Partition your drive accordingly, create the Windows 7 partition (the Windows 7 USB Key needs to be in the Air for this).

17. As soon as the partition is created, your air WILL REBOOT, the Windows 7 install will begin.

18. You will be prompted that the BOOTCAMP parition is not NTFS and needs to be in order to install Windows 7, THIS IS FINE.

19. Click FORMAT, the BOOTCAMP partition will be formatted as NTFS. Select the same partition number and continue. NOTE: The Windows install IS VERY fast on your beautiful SSD equipped Mac.

20. Once the installation completes, insert your USB Bootcamp key.

21. Navigate to the Setup.exe file on the key and double-click.

22. Sitback and let the Bootcamp drivers load. Windows 7 will reboot.

23. Install your Windows updates and reboot.

24. Reboot again and HOLD THE OPTION KEY, this will allow you to get back into your Mac.

25. Once in OS X, click settings and STARTUP DISK, select OS X (unless you want to mainly run Windoze).

26. Finished.

Please let me know if you should have any questions.

You should now have a fully functioning Windows 7 Bootcamp install with all drivers properly installed. You can check this by navigating to Device Manager within Windows and ensuring that you have no yellow exclamation marks.