zaroxes
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: Please help with questions related to windows/bootcamp.

So, I understand the basics of bootcamp, but how would I buy windows, and how would it work? Like, I download the ISO file, run bootcamp, set it up, all that. Then the Mac boots into the windows, where you need to enter the product key. Do we just buy a product key from microsoft? Or do we have to buy a download version of windows, what would the differences between say, a download, a disk, and a flash drive, and how would we set that up with bootcamp, which method do we use the downloaded ISO version for?

 

Thank you!

iMac, iOS 9.2

Posted on Dec 13, 2015 9:15 PM

by Loner T,Solvedanswer
Loner T Loner T
Level 7 (23,898 points)
Safari
A:
  1. Check System Requirements
  2. Some versions of Windows require a certain processor, and more hard drive space and memory (RAM) than others. Check the documentation that came with your copy of Windows to find out what you need. Then use System Information to see what your Mac currently has.
  3. Get a Windows disk image
  4. When you purchase Windows, it comes as a disk image file (ISO) that you download, or as an installation disc or USB flash drive. If your copy of Windows came on a DVD, you should create a disk image of it to work with Boot Camp. If your version of Windows came on a USB flash drive, you can download an ISO from Microsoft.
  5. Open Boot Camp Assistant
  6. Boot Camp Assistant guides you through installing Windows on your Mac. Open this app from the Utilities folder in the Applications folder and follow the onscreen instructions to automatically repartition your startup disk and download related software drivers for Windows. If you're prompted during installation, connect a blank USB flash drive.
  7. Format your Windows partition
  8. When you complete the assistant, your Mac restarts to the Windows installer. When you're asked where you want to install Windows, select the BOOTCAMP partition, then click Format.
  9. Install Windows
  10. Follow the onscreen prompts to finish your Windows installation.
  11. Restart your computer
  12. After Windows is installed, you can switch between OS X and Windows. Use the Startup Disk preference pane in OS X, or the Boot Camp system tray item in Windows to select your startup disk, then restart your computer.

Posted on Dec 14, 2015 12:17 AM

Close
zaroxes

Q: Please help with questions related to windows/bootcamp.

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by Loner T,

    Loner T Loner T Dec 13, 2015 9:22 PM in response to zaroxes
    Level 7 (23,898 points)
    Safari
    Dec 13, 2015 9:22 PM in response to zaroxes

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

     

    Other links...

     

    https://help.apple.com/bootcamp/assistant/6.0/

    https://help.apple.com/bootcamp/controlpanel/5.1/

     

    You can either buy a Product Key or download the ISO and then enter an existing Product Key (do not use OEM keys which are bundled with PCs).

     

    You can download the Install media from https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/home .

     

    An ISO can be burnt to a physical DVD, if needed. Your Mac model will decide what specific type of installation media (ISO or DVD) it needs.

  • by zaroxes,

    zaroxes zaroxes Dec 13, 2015 9:32 PM in response to Loner T
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 13, 2015 9:32 PM in response to Loner T

    Thank you.

     

         So, If I buy the windows download, I get the key, and after I have downloaded the ISO onto a flash drive, and boot up my mac into windows where it asks for the product key, I simply put it in and the windows set up continues and It does the download like that, or would I need to download it onto a disk or flash drive for it to work?

  • by Loner T,

    Loner T Loner T Dec 13, 2015 9:48 PM in response to zaroxes
    Level 7 (23,898 points)
    Safari
    Dec 13, 2015 9:48 PM in response to zaroxes

    zaroxes wrote:

     

         So, If I buy the windows download, I get the key, and after I have downloaded the ISO ...

    ... to your Mac (not to a USB). Please see the first link I posted to continue...

  • by zaroxes,

    zaroxes zaroxes Dec 13, 2015 9:51 PM in response to Loner T
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 13, 2015 9:51 PM in response to Loner T

    Okay, but I don't actually do any of the windows downloads (apart from the ISO) until AFTER I'm already booted into bootcamp?

  • by Loner T,

    Loner T Loner T Dec 13, 2015 10:08 PM in response to zaroxes
    Level 7 (23,898 points)
    Safari
    Dec 13, 2015 10:08 PM in response to zaroxes

    Bootcamp is just a tool to facilitate the installation process of Windows. You do not boot into Bootcamp. It is available in Applications -> Utilities -> Bootcamp Assistant.

     

    You only need the Windows ISO from M$. You do not download anything else from M$ till Windows installation is fully functional.

  • by zaroxes,

    zaroxes zaroxes Dec 13, 2015 10:11 PM in response to Loner T
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 13, 2015 10:11 PM in response to Loner T

    Sorry for my error, I meant boot into windows. So basically Just buy the download restart into windows, enter the product key, and windows downloads and installs?

  • by Loner T,Solvedanswer

    Loner T Loner T Dec 14, 2015 12:17 AM in response to zaroxes
    Level 7 (23,898 points)
    Safari
    Dec 14, 2015 12:17 AM in response to zaroxes
    1. Check System Requirements
    2. Some versions of Windows require a certain processor, and more hard drive space and memory (RAM) than others. Check the documentation that came with your copy of Windows to find out what you need. Then use System Information to see what your Mac currently has.
    3. Get a Windows disk image
    4. When you purchase Windows, it comes as a disk image file (ISO) that you download, or as an installation disc or USB flash drive. If your copy of Windows came on a DVD, you should create a disk image of it to work with Boot Camp. If your version of Windows came on a USB flash drive, you can download an ISO from Microsoft.
    5. Open Boot Camp Assistant
    6. Boot Camp Assistant guides you through installing Windows on your Mac. Open this app from the Utilities folder in the Applications folder and follow the onscreen instructions to automatically repartition your startup disk and download related software drivers for Windows. If you're prompted during installation, connect a blank USB flash drive.
    7. Format your Windows partition
    8. When you complete the assistant, your Mac restarts to the Windows installer. When you're asked where you want to install Windows, select the BOOTCAMP partition, then click Format.
    9. Install Windows
    10. Follow the onscreen prompts to finish your Windows installation.
    11. Restart your computer
    12. After Windows is installed, you can switch between OS X and Windows. Use the Startup Disk preference pane in OS X, or the Boot Camp system tray item in Windows to select your startup disk, then restart your computer.

  • by zaroxes,

    zaroxes zaroxes Dec 14, 2015 12:18 AM in response to Loner T
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 14, 2015 12:18 AM in response to Loner T

    Ah, Thank you!

  • by Loner T,

    Loner T Loner T Dec 14, 2015 7:09 AM in response to zaroxes
    Level 7 (23,898 points)
    Safari
    Dec 14, 2015 7:09 AM in response to zaroxes

    Please post back on this discussion once you start down this patch and encounter any issues.