Running Windows on an Intel Mac using bootcamp

[Shrek]

I know one can run Windows on an Intel Mac using Boot Camp; but can one do it without even installing the Mac OS? namely treat it like a PC and then get the drivers out of bootcamp?

 

[iameatingjam]

Probably but I only ever use ppc macs so not sure how you'd go about it. Did you try just the normal way? put a usb stick in there and press the key combo to select boot disk? ( Forget it command-option-something? google it) I'd say win 10 is your best bet. What year is the machine (just curious). I hate apple with a passion but I grew up on them so I have soft spot for old ones.

Edit: okay insert win 10 usb stick installer while the computer is off, turn it on and hold down option. Does that work?

 

[claes]

Yes, including windows 11 support for as long as Apple supports it. You’ll have to delete the MacOS partition, which you’ll probably want to keep initially to download and extract drivers. Still, like I mentioned in the other thread, Apple will eventually stop supporting windows.

 

[Shrek]

Don't have an Intel Mac, just looking at my options.

 

[eidairaman1]

Don't have an Intel Mac, just looking at my options.

I wouldnt

My Experience Running ONLY Windows on My MacBook Pro

 

[iameatingjam]

Don't have an Intel Mac, just looking at my options.

You are considering buying a mac.... to solely run windows? Why?

 

[Shrek]

I like to know my options; I recall a going out of business sale where they were selling their old Macs.

 

[P4-630]

When will you start your new build? You got a thread about it here somewhere..

 

[Shrek]

When Windows 10 support stops; OK maybe earlier.

Maybe time for me to hush up; I have the help I requested.


Now I find that Windows may work on the Apple M1 (using the ARM64 build)
Select language for Feature update to Windows 10, version 22H2 (19045.3269) arm64 - UUP dump

This build is only compatible with:

• Surface Pro X
• Raspberry Pi
• Apple Mac M1

 

[skizzo]

I did this when Apple had chips in them that were actually Intel. Intel based Apple systems will work just fine! I've always thought Bootcamp is misunderstood, it's a wizard to setup the install, think of it as the macOS equivalent of the Windows Media Creation Tool. It's not a non negotiable requirement to run Windows on an Apple system. There is no required drivers from bootcamp. Windows will install proper drivers during the install process or immediately after with Windows Update based on hardware. With that said, some small exception might exist depending on each user, like if you have an Apple exclusive piece of hardware like one of the Apple Magic mice. Since no drivers exist in the Windows update ecosystem for that mouse, you would need to get the driver out of the bootcamp package to have that mouses advanced gestures work properly. It would still work without those drivers, but the special gestures wouldn't function. Just basic left/middle/right click would work. Otherwise, stuff like CPU, chipset, network card, etc are going to be Intel compatible and is no different if it was installed in a DIY box or an OEM Apple box

The other exception is, and what bootcamp is really meant for besides the assisting of setting up the USB or DVD install disk, is installing a toolbar icon that allows to easily select the boot disk from within Windows. So you can boot back to macOS easily. Normal boot screen via native means means holding OPT key at startup to bring up boot select screen. Of course there are other ways within Windows to select boot disk but if you're primarily a macOS user they would be unknown

Now, how things work with newer Apple products with ARM/Mx chips.....no idea.

You are considering buying a mac.... to solely run windows? Why?

It's a great way to repurpose it if you already had an Apple system. But the point you're making, and I would 2nd to the OP, I wouldn't buy one for using just Windows.

You’ll have to delete the MacOS partition,

you can have both macOS and Windows on same disk.....however, totally NOT recommended to do this! better boot disks live separately

Edit: okay insert win 10 usb stick installer while the computer is off, turn it on and hold down option. Does that work?

this is exactly how easy it is. if you have ever installed Windows on a PC you can figure out how to install Windows on an Apple machine. Brings up the boot screen, then you move over to the USB stick and boot to it. from there on out it's no different than installing Windows on a PC. you can make the USB or DVD installer on an Apple or Windows machine