Boot camp drivers for Windows 7

Question

Boot camp drivers for Windows 7

I have just downloaded Parallels Desktop 7 in order to be able to run Windows applications in my Virtual Machine. I have installed Windows 7.

I want to be able to use all my Mac keyboard shortcuts in my Windows environment, without having to think about the Windows shortcuts now that I finally learned all the Mac shortcuts.

But the shortcuts aren't working in Windows.

I have talked to Parallels that told me to install Boot Camp drivers for Windows. I just want to make sure that I only download these and an instruction of how to set-up the keyboard afterwards.

Where do I find the correct drivers for boot camp and how do I set-up the keyboard afterwards?

I don't want to do anything with partitioning my harddisk as I'm running it "Virtually"

Hope anybody can help with a pretty easy-to-set-up menu for "novices"

BR

Anne

iMac, Mac OS X (10.7.2), 27" iMac

Posted on Jan 23, 2012 5:06 AM

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Answer 1

The hatter

Level 9

60,990 points

Jan 23, 2012 5:39 AM in response to annefrommalmö

Sorry, this is where running Windows natively is discussed.

People want to dual boot and run Windows natively (partition) and have full hardware support.

That is only way and time you use Apple's drivers.

You can't have what you want.

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Answer 2

Jan 23, 2012 5:54 AM in response to The hatter

I'm sorry to say that this is not correct. In order to get full keyboard functionality you need to install the Boot Camp drivers only.

So I hope that there is anybody else out there able to give me the correct answer

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Answer 3

Jan 23, 2012 6:37 AM in response to annefrommalmö

You need to learn the differences between Virtual Machines and Boot Camp. Virtual machines create their own "virtual" hardware. Boot Camp drivers will not work as they work with your computer's real hardware.

So The hatter is correct.

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Answer 4

The hatter

Level 9

60,990 points

Jan 23, 2012 6:45 AM in response to annefrommalmö

a little education in order:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_VMware_Fusion_and_Parallels_Desktop

http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13727_7-20082106-263/parallels-updates-ensure-virtu alization-in-os-x-10.7-lion/

and you will never have the same keyboard shortcuts unless Parallels (or Fusion; or VirtualBox) decides to.

The person that told you you needed to install Apple (Boot Camp, a poorly used term btw) was a bum steer.

Geesh. Wasting our time.

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Answer 5

Jan 23, 2012 6:57 AM in response to BobTheFisherman

I know the difference between the Virtual Machine and Boot Camp - try to read this from the Parallels Desktop page http://kb.parallels.com/en/5965

I believe this is correct?

Therefore I only need to know from where I can download the drivers without having the disk - then I'll try to work my way around the set-up afterwards

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Answer 6

Jan 23, 2012 7:13 AM in response to annefrommalmö

If you believe that to be correct then do as it says, or ask them how to do it. Boot Camp drivers for Lion are downloaded when running Boot Camp Assistant. It is a menu item in Boot Camp Assistant.

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Answer 7

TalonK

Level 1

30 points

Jan 23, 2012 7:25 AM in response to annefrommalmö

Try this:

(I have not tried this, so try this at your own risk)

Launch the Boot Camp Assistant on the Mac.

On the second screen there is an option to download the windows support software (this is the windows boot camp software + drivers)

Uncheck everything except the download option.

The next screen gives you the option to create a cd or dvd with the windows support software. (this cd will have a windows setup file on it that should run from your virtual machine.)

After the cd/dvd is created, exit out of Boot Camp Assistant, launch your Win 7 virtual machine, and run the setup on the cd/dvd.

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Answer 8

Jan 23, 2012 7:28 AM in response to BobTheFisherman

I'm sorry to take up your time guys - as I wrote earlier I'm not that technical and new to all of this - I was promised that I could do everything the mac way in the windows environment if I bought Parallels Desktop 7 - I only did this as my company is installing af new CRM system that is only supported in Windows - now I have installed everything and find out that the MAC keyboard shortcuts and layout is not working at all in i.e. Outlook etc. and I've totally forgotten how the Windows shortcuts etc. is working - Parallels asked me to go to Apple for help and here I am

You write that "if you believe it's correct do it" - but I don't believe anything else than what I'm told - I'm not going to install anything if I don't know how to do and whether it's correct - I wont have the nerve to do that.

If at least could get a list or someting on how to use my Magic Trackpad in the windows environment I would be happy - then I would just have to switch between how to use it on both sides.

Hope you understand and sorry again for taking up your valuable time

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Answer 9

Jan 23, 2012 11:14 AM in response to TalonK

Thanks TalonK - after doing this and setting up the same keyboard layout in Windows as on Mac, the keyboard is now working with all the Mac functions - thanks a lot

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