How to install windows 8 on mac

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How to install windows 8 on mac

I just bought windows 8 pro and am trying to install in on my windows. I have previously installed windows 7 via bootcamp but just deleted the partition because I want to start over from scratch with windows 8. I understand bootcamp needs to be updated to bootcamp 5 but every time I try to use the assistant and download the windows update to my external hard drive it freezes halfway through. I'm confused as to what I should do now. I downloaded the bootcamp 5 drivers from http://support.apple.com/downloads/#macoscomponents. I downloaded the first one,

Boot Camp Support Software 5.0.5033

I'm not sure how to install this or how it works exactly but there is a file in it called setup.exe but it requires a program to open it which i dont have. I have the unarchiver program but even that wont open the setup.exe. Is this the file I need and if so how do I go about updating bootcamp. I also found out that I have bootcamp Version 5.0.2 (462) but when I open the assistant the only option on there is "create a winows 7 or later version" I assumed I needed to update it because it says nothing about windows 8. Thanks for any help.

MacBook Pro, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.3)

Posted on Apr 14, 2013 9:41 PM

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Answer 1

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mende1

Level 10

93,538 points

Apr 14, 2013 9:52 PM in response to HuSp84

Welcome to the Apple Support Communities

You have to save the folder you downloaded into a USB drive. Then, after installing Windows, connect it and open the setup.exe file, so you will install the Windows support software. Windows support software is needed to make your computer run properly in Windows.

When you open Boot Camp Assistant, how many options do you see and how are they named? It's possible that your Mac isn't officially compatible with Windows 8 > http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5634

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Answer 2

HuSp84 Author

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Apr 14, 2013 9:57 PM in response to mende1

The three options are

Create a windows 7 or laterversion install disk

dwonload the latest windows support software from apple

and install windwos 7 or later version.

Maybe im not understanding that correctly but i'm assuming "or later" would refer to previous or older versions of windows such as xp, vista etc.

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Answer 3

mende1

Level 10

93,538 points

Apr 14, 2013 9:59 PM in response to HuSp84

Choose "Install Windows 7 or later version" and follow the steps to install Windows. If you want, you can see the official steps to install Windows 8 on Macs > http://manuals.info.apple.com/en_US/boot_camp_install-setup_10.8.pdf

The Boot Camp version that OS X Mountain Lion has is only compatible with Windows 7 or 8, so this option is referring to Windows 7 or 8

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