how to load windows on macbook air

There are two ways to use Windows on your Mac. The first is to partition the internal drive so that you can use one part for MacOS and the other for Windows, selecting which you want to use when you start up. That's called Boot Camp, and information about how to set it up and use it can be found in the document at http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1461 The disadvantage of this is that you can only run Mac or Windows at any given time, not both.

The other method is to use what is known as a 'virtual machine', to run Windows as if it were just another application within MacOS, thus allowing you to run both at the same time, and even share documents between them. To do this you'll need appropriate software such as VMware Fusion (http://www.vmware.com/products/fusion/overview.html) or Parallels Desktop (http://www.parallels.com/products/desktop/) Neither of these need the drive to be partitioned, but unlike Boot camp which is free, VMware or Parallels are both commercial software.

Whichever solution you use, you'll also need a Windows installer and valid product license.

VirtualBox is another option for running Windows in a virtual machine. It is fully functional, updated regularly, and free from Oracle:

https://www.virtualbox.org/

I wasn't aware of VirtualBox - Thanks!

It's not as "pretty" as the commercial versions, but it's been around for years (originally from SUN and now Oracle since they bought out SUN). It has always been updated regularly. The main reason I use it is because it's cross platform and free. I have a number of Macs and PCs... I can use it to run virtual machines on any of them without having to pay for a half dozen licenses. I also don't have to worry about buying upgrades for all those copies when a newer version is needed for features/support that an older version lacks. I can just download the upgrade and go.

i think parallels is a good product, its sexy and slick, but you're right. they hold you hostage when they go from version to version. i use virtual box too. that said, i dont really do virtual anymore; when i use windows its for devices generally... my android phones or my zune (lol, i bought a Zune)

i've taken to boot camp because running native just runs better and if you're tinkering with rooting your phone, things go wrong when you use OSX for some reason. things run and install they way they are supposed to if you use win 7 native.

Here is a way to do it:

1. Go to Applications>Utilities>Boot Camp.
2. Select Next.
3. Select Download Drivers.
4. Move the drivers to a Thumb Drive.
5. Select Next.
6. Choose how much space you want Windows 7 to be taking up (at least 20GB).
7. Insert the Windows 7 Installation Disc and select restart.
8. Your Mac will reboot into the Windows 7 Installer. Go through installation like normal, except when it asks your what you want to be your C: drive, select the Mac OS X Lion Partition (NOT Boot Camp!!!!!).
9. After Installation has completed and your Mac has restarted and you have loaded your drivers, go to disk management.
10. Right click the Boot Camp partition and select delete.
11. Then right click the C: drive and select resize.
12. Resize it to fill your whole drive.

You should back up your data in time machine before you do this.