Windows using Boot Camp - Worth ?

Question

zodiac1991 Author

Level 1

0 points

Windows using Boot Camp - Worth ?

Hi,

I have purchased a MacBook Air (13-inch, Early 2014) with OS X Yosemite 10.10.2 ; Boot Camp version - 5.1.3. Now I have a windows 7 64bit Professional DVD. Kindly help me with the exact steps to install windows 7 using Boot Camp.

Also kindly let me know if there are any major drawbacks of using windows 7 in Mac. I was told the previous versions of Boot Camp was not much helpful for Windows users. I will be using Windows mostly for official purposes and not much for entertainment. If required in future can I remove Windows 7 entirely and go back to using OS X alone ?

Thanks in advance.

MacBook Air, Mac OS X (10.7.5)

Posted on Apr 1, 2015 12:41 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Rudegar

Level 10

170,580 points

Apr 1, 2015 3:12 AM in response to zodiac1991

when you are not going to play 3d games which I doubt with an macbook air

then it's much less hassel to install windows 7 in a virtual machine like free virtual box or comercial like parallels

in a virtual machine you need not do a full reboot to switch between OS X and windows and it's a world easier to install

as virtual machines don't require all the special drivers that bootcamp does

and virtual machines support a wider range of windows and linux versions that bootcamp does

Reply

Answer 2

Loner T

Level 9

59,471 points

Apr 1, 2015 5:14 AM in response to zodiac1991

Please start at How to install Windows using Boot Camp - Apple Support.

Reply

Answer 3

zodiac1991 Author

Level 1

0 points

Apr 1, 2015 6:30 AM in response to Rudegar

Thanks for the quick turn around.

I am unaware of installing Windows 7 using Virtual Machine. Does require any additional purchase as I already have an external dvd/cd drive and windows 7 dvd. Kindly let me know if it is safe to install Windows 7 using Boot Camp.

Reply

Answer 4

Rudegar

Level 10

170,580 points

Apr 1, 2015 5:11 PM in response to zodiac1991

installing windows in a virtual machines have no extended requirements compared to installing windows in bootcamp

about the general safety of installing windows 7 in boot camp or a virtual machine really comes down to you not hurting yourself in the process

Reply

Answer 5

zodiac1991 Author

Level 1

0 points

Apr 3, 2015 7:21 AM in response to Rudegar

Hi,

Which of either ( Windows 7 or 8) is better suited to be installed on Mac OS X. While carrying out the windows installation process if anything bad ( God forbid) happens will my Mac be safe to and can it be brought to back its original state. I desperately need windows but am skeptical about the installation process.

Can you confirm whether the steps mentioned in https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3iMxPpb534U can be followed to install windows on Mac.

Thank you very much for all the help.

Reply

Answer 6

Loner T

Level 9

59,471 points

Apr 3, 2015 7:30 AM in response to zodiac1991

Backup your Mac using Time Machine and follow the official Apple guide. Making changes to Bootcamp software causes more problems.

Reply

Answer 7

zodiac1991 Author

Level 1

0 points

Apr 3, 2015 7:43 AM in response to Loner T

Windows 7 or windows 8 which would you recommend because I dont want to keep on updating.

Thanks

Reply

Answer 8

Loner T

Level 9

59,471 points

Apr 3, 2015 7:45 AM in response to zodiac1991

If you can, use Windows 8.1.

Reply

Answer 9

zodiac1991 Author

Level 1

0 points

Apr 15, 2015 12:12 PM in response to Loner T

Hi,

I followed all the steps in Boot Camp: Creating an ISO image from a Windows installation DVD - Apple Support . I was successful till till the 22 step but after that there was no progress. Kindly guide me through further steps to complete the installation of windows 7.

Thanks

Reply

Answer 10

Loner T

Level 9

59,471 points

Apr 15, 2015 12:18 PM in response to zodiac1991

Was step 22 complete? Did you enter your password, and allow the Helper to install? Are you at the partitioning step?

Reply

Answer 11

zodiac1991 Author

Level 1

0 points

Apr 15, 2015 10:33 PM in response to Loner T

Hi,

Yes step 22 was completed. I entered the password and clicked 'Add Helper' but there was no progress. No i was unable to find the partitioning step. When I tried to open Boot Camp once again, it started once again from step 16. The entire installation process took close to 1 hour and all the files have been copied to my pendrive including the downloaded windows software.

Reply

Answer 12

Loner T

Level 9

59,471 points

Apr 16, 2015 5:46 AM in response to zodiac1991

Bootcamp Assistant has 2 or 3 options, depending on your Mac model. The last Option is install/remove. If your flash drive has been built once, there is not need to build it again. Uncheck the Create USB (if you see it) and Download software, and just use the last option.

Reply

Answer 13

zodiac1991 Author

Level 1

0 points

Apr 16, 2015 6:34 AM in response to Loner T

When i unchecked the 'Create USB' and tried to download software it is asking me to enter the installation disc. I have the windows 7 cd and an external optical drive. So inorder to avoid these confusions is it possible for me to make use of the cd and cd drive and install windows instead of using the usb drive because am unable to find any progress even during the second time.

Reply