HT201468: How to install Windows using Boot Camp

Learn about How to install Windows using Boot Camp
Maksum
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: i am trying to install windows 8 but my system would only accept windows 7. why is it so and is there anything i can do to enable it accept windows 8?

why can't i install windows 8 on my MacBook Pro.

iPad, iOS 6

Posted on Jul 5, 2015 9:17 AM

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Maksum

Q: i am trying to install windows 8 but my system would only accept windows 7. why is it so and is there anything i can do to enable ... more

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  • by FatMac>MacPro,

    FatMac>MacPro FatMac>MacPro Jul 5, 2015 10:27 AM in response to Maksum
    Level 5 (4,805 points)
    Jul 5, 2015 10:27 AM in response to Maksum

    Maksum wrote:

     

    why can't i install windows 8 on my MacBook Pro.

    You don't specify which MBP you have or what version of OS X you're using. If it's old enough, Win 8 might not yet have been supported in Boot Camp. In any case, if you install Windows as a Virtual Machine in VMware Fusion, Parallels, or Virtual Box, you won't need Boot Camp, and the referenced software can support a wide range of Windows versions as well as OS X and Linux.

  • by FlyingHighUp,

    FlyingHighUp FlyingHighUp Aug 11, 2015 3:18 PM in response to Maksum
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 11, 2015 3:18 PM in response to Maksum

    At the base level, your MacBook Pro is a intel computer capable of running pretty much any version of Windows. For driver (and/or profit driven) reasons, Bootcamp will tell you your Mac isn't capable of running some versions.

     

    You could go into Bootcamp's files (believe it was info.plist) and add another Windows version string keyword to trick it into allowing you, but you might as well manually install it yourself,


    In brief:

    1. Go into Disk Utility and partition your main disk. Create a FAT partition with the size you want for Windows and name it "BOOTCAMP"
    2. Restart your computer, booting it from your windows install disk. You can do this by holding "Option" when you start your computer.
    3. When asked what drive to install it on, format and choose the partition you created labeled BOOTCAMP.
    4. Every time it restarts during installation, boot from your "Windows" partition.

    5. Once Windows is installed, reboot into Mac OS X, and use Bootcamp Assistant to download the latest windows drivers for your device to a USB.

    6. Back in windows, plug in your USB and use Setup to install the drivers.

     

    I've installed Windows 8, 8.1, and 10 on my Retina Macbook so far. All of which were versions that my computer was not supported for by Bootcamp initially, and I see no issue with the drivers.

     

    The worst driver incompatibility I ever encountered was trying to install Windows XP on my old White Macbook, where the network Broadcom card (Airport) driver didn't work. But after some internet searching I managed to get it working.