Is it possible to install Boot Camp with just an ISO copy of Windows 7?

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Is it possible to install Boot Camp with just an ISO copy of Windows 7?

I downloaded Windows 7 ISO from Digital River and never got an installation disc. Can I install Boot Camp with this? It seems that all Boot Camp Assistant will do is install the Windows support software to my USB Flash drive. It won't help me make a boot partition into Windows 7, or select the ISO mounted or unmounted to make an installation of Windows. Why is this the case? I'm running an iMac 11,3, with 10.10.4.

Do I need to ask Apple for the original 10.6 installer disk that came with my machine?

I did manage a successful installation of Windows 7 with Parallels with the same ISO, and see no way to transfer that installation to Boot Camp.

OS X Yosemite (10.10.4), * I may get paid from macmaps links

Posted on Sep 28, 2015 9:30 AM

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Answer 1

Loner T

Level 9

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Sep 28, 2015 9:48 AM in response to a brody

It depends on your Mac Model. Macs after 2012 can use the ISO to build a USB installer from the ISO using BC Assistant and install Windows. Prior Macs need to burn the ISO to a physical DVD and boot using the internal Optical drive.

BCA does a bit more than copying files. It also partitions and may create MBR as required.

Your 11,3 iMac is a 2010 model (How to identify iMac models - Apple Support) which has a built-in Optical drive. You will need to create a physical DVD.

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Answer 2

a brody Author

Level 10

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Sep 28, 2015 10:33 AM in response to Loner T

So I assume, if I burn the physical DVD, and insert it in my Mac, then Boot Camp assistant will instantly recognize it as a disk to start the installation process?

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Answer 3

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

Sep 30, 2015 1:39 PM in response to a brody

You need some additional steps. Use the following two links

How to install Windows using Boot Camp - Apple Support

https://help.apple.com/bootcamp/mac/5.0/help/

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Answer 4

a brody Author

Level 10

85,366 points

Sep 28, 2015 12:26 PM in response to Loner T

Does Disk Utility take the ISO and burn a DVD of it?

Would Toast 7 do that if not?

Once I have the DVD then, I should run the Boot Camp Assistant with the DVD inserted in the computer, it will reboot and then will I have the option to format my Boot Camp partition?

Presumably once that is done, I should be able to install Windows on it from the DVD?

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Answer 5

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

Sep 30, 2015 1:39 PM in response to a brody

Please see Disk Utility (Yosemite): Burn a disk image to a CD or DVD and Disk Utility 12.x: Duplicate a disk, CD, or DVD .

I should run the Boot Camp Assistant with the DVD inserted in the computer, it will reboot and then will I have the option to format my Boot Camp partition?

Presumably once that is done, I should be able to install Windows on it from the DVD?

Yes.

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Answer 6

a brody Author

Level 10

85,366 points

Sep 30, 2015 1:40 PM in response to Loner T

OK, thank you. Once I am able to get a blank DVD I will try it out.

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Answer 7

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

Sep 30, 2015 2:50 PM in response to a brody

Please post back if you run into any issues.

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