TheTakk
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Q: Bootcamp newcomer - a few questions

Hi there,

 

I'm running a 21.5" Mid 2011 iMac with 16GB RAM and am considering using bootcamp to install windows so that I can play some games through Steam.

 

After a lot of research online and looking at various forums, websites and various things I'm still left with a few questions that are unanswered and don't want to jump into something like this without 100% knowledge as I've not touched a windows OS in over 10 years.

 

1. I read somewhere that windows 7 will soon be no longer supported by bootcamp, is this true? I don't really want to be forking out over £100 for a Windows 8 OS when I've seen windows 7 on eBay for ~ £40.

 

2. This is what I was considering buying on eBay, is this what I was having in mind buying. Would this be what I'd need? (sorry if links like this are prohibited I've never posted on these forums before) http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Microsoft-Windows-7-Professional-64bit-SP1-Full-Instal l-Version-COA-Product-Key-/281542868043?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item418d433c4 b

 

3. If I do go for the windows 7 OS would it then become obsolete in the long run (would i have to eventually upgrade to 8 in order for bootcamp to still work and me still be able to play my games?)

 

4. Once I have windows installed through bootcamp, would I have to have an antivirus or anything similar running on my newly installed Windows side of my Mac?

 

Thanks

iMac, OS X Yosemite (10.10.2)

Posted on Feb 21, 2015 2:31 AM

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TheTakk

Q: Bootcamp newcomer - a few questions

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  • by Loner T,Helpful

    Loner T Loner T Feb 21, 2015 9:43 AM in response to TheTakk
    Level 7 (24,855 points)
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    Feb 21, 2015 9:43 AM in response to TheTakk

    TheTakk wrote:

     

     

    1. I read somewhere that windows 7 will soon be no longer supported by bootcamp, is this true? I don't really want to be forking out over £100 for a Windows 8 OS when I've seen windows 7 on eBay for ~ £40.

    On older versions of OS X (Snow Leopard and Mountain Lion) XP and Vista can still be installed. You can also use Virtualization engines like Fusion, Parallels or VirtualBox to run VMs with older versions of Windows. Please see Boot Camp: System requirements for Microsoft Windows operating systems - Apple Support.

     

     

    2. This is what I was considering buying on eBay, is this what I was having in mind buying. Would this be what I'd need? (sorry if links like this are prohibited I've never posted on these forums before) http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Microsoft-Windows-7-Professional-64bit-SP1-Full-Instal l-Version-COA-Product-Key-/281542868043?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item418d433c 4 b

     

    The DVD in that specific link comes with a DELL PC and is a re-installation DVD. I would recommend not buying such versions. These are for OEM restore use only.

     

     

    3. If I do go for the windows 7 OS would it then become obsolete in the long run (would i have to eventually upgrade to 8 in order for bootcamp to still work and me still be able to play my games?)

    No. Once W7 is installed, it is self-contained. You are the mercy of M$ for security patches.

     

     

    4. Once I have windows installed through bootcamp, would I have to have an antivirus or anything similar running on my newly installed Windows side of my Mac?

    Yes. It is highly recommended. You can install Free versions from various vendors which support free personal use, or buy a commercial license for others.

  • by TheTakk,

    TheTakk TheTakk Feb 21, 2015 1:36 PM in response to Loner T
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 21, 2015 1:36 PM in response to Loner T

    Okay thanks a lot for the fast in depth reply!