At the end of 2012 I installed Windows 8 Pro (64-bit) on my 2009 MacBook Pro without issue using Boot Camp. Recently, I reinstalled OS X 10.8.4 and now when I attempt to install Windows 8 Pro (64-bit) via Boot Camp there is an annoying message: "Windows 8 is not supported on this Mac". Why Apple? Bad Apple!
MacBook Pro, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.4)
Windows 8 requires a Mid 2010 15-inch MacBook Pro or later > http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5634?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US
When you installed Windows 8, Boot Camp wasn't compatible with Windows 8. Its compatibility came with OS X 10.8.3, and Apple determined which Macs could install Windows 8. Unfortunately, your Mac isn't one of them.
This doesn't mean you can't install Windows 8. You can, but it won't run properly because Boot Camp drivers for Windows 8 aren't compatible. Another thing you can do is to install Windows 8 on a virtual machine, using an application like Parallels, VMware Fusion or VirtualBox
I got Windows 8.1 installed on my 2009 MacBook Pro with OS X 10.8.4 and Boot Camp 5.x.
Everything works well and as expected. I did download and attempt to install the Boot Camp 5.0.5 drivers (DL1638) however there is a hardware limitation/compatibility issue that prevents the install.
No matter. I am sure there are certain features that do not function properly but for what I need to for ... works like a CHAMP!!!
Thanks for helping me work out the logistics in my head, MENDE1.
I went looking further after I posted my question and found the supportability matrix you provided. Now that I remember, I might have installed Windows 7 then upgraded to Windows 8. Now it looks like I can't even install Windows 7 with Boot Camp 5.x. What a bummer!
I have Fusion but was really hoping to run Win8 without any other resources mucking up the experience.
Thanks.
Really? Help me understand because the way I read the matrix it shows that Boot Camp 4 is required to be able to install Windows 7. OS X 10.8.4 has Boot Camp 5.0.3.
Must be that backward compatibility model that Apple tends to be so selective with.
Your computer supports Windows 7, both 32 and 64-bit versions
Boot Camp Assistant 5.0 downloads Boot Camp 4 drivers if your computer isn't compatible with Windows 8. These drivers can be used to install Windows 7
You are welcome
Boot Camp Support for Windows 8
