This means to switch from OS X to Windows, you need to reboot your Mac. Once Windows is installed in Boot Camp, every time you turn on your computer, you will be asked to select the operating system you would like to run. Upon launching the Boot Camp Assistant app, you have the option to change how large this partition is. Boot Camp makes a separate partition on your computer's hard drive (think of it as splitting your hard drive into two separate parts) specifically for installing and running windows. If you go to your Applications > Utilities folder, you will see the Boot Camp Assistant app. Boot Campīoot Camp is built into the OS X operating system of the Macs. Once you have the appropriate version of Windows, you now need to decide whether you would like to install it with Boot Camp or Parallels.

Use this handy reference from Apple to determine which versions of Windows your Mac is compatible with. However, before you make the decision to purchase Windows and install it on your Mac, you'll want to double check that your Mac is compatible with the Windows version you are planning to run. They both have their own specific advantages and disadvantages when you compare them. If you'd like to check out other virtualization options, VMware, Citrix and Red Hat are good alternatives.ĭepending on your specific needs, you may want to chose Boot Camp for your Windows install or you may want to buy a virtualization program. There are many virtualization programs available, but Parallels Desktop for Mac is the most popular and will be the one we focus on. With virtualization software, it is almost like you are using two computers at the same time on one machine. They create a virtualization of another computer, allowing you to install a separate operating system. These are third-party applications that run on your Mac just like any other program. You can either install Windows in Boot Camp, a native feature of the Mac OS X operating system, or you can use a virtualization program. If you are looking to install Windows on your Mac, you have two options. This is especially useful for individuals who want to use Macs but may rely on a few programs that are Windows-specific.

While you need to purchase a copy of the Windows operating system separately from your Mac, once you do you can install it and enjoy the benefits of both operating systems. These individuals overlook a key feature of the Mac lineup - you can run Windows on them. In the classic 'which is better' argument between Macs and PC's, PC advocates sometimes bring up features or characteristics of the Windows operating system as an argument for PC's being better than Macs.

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