How to install Windows 7 on Mac OSX with Boot Camp

Install Windows 7 on Apple Mac OSX using Boot Camp

One of the biggest concern for people thinking of investing in an Apple MacBook is their fear of letting go of the tried-and-tested Windows operating system and embracing a new OS in the form of Apple's Mac OSX. Well, fear no more. Ever since Apple embraced Intel processors and chipsets in its Macbook and iMac line of computers, dual-booting with Microsoft's Windows operating system was possible with a tool Apple provided, Boot Camp. In this tutorial we will guide you through a step-by-step procedure of installing Windows 7 on your Macbook (or an Intel-chipset based iMac), and it isn't difficult at all.

We used a 15-inch Apple MacBook Pro Core i5 2.4-GHz for the purpose of this tutorial. You can, however, use this guide on any of your Intel-enabled MacBook or iMac computer. You will need: a) An original Windows 7 installation disc; b) Apple Mac OSX install DVD; c) A wired Internet connection.

The first step in installing Windows 7 on Mac OSX and Macbook is to ensure you apply all the latest updates. Press Command and Space key together to launch Spotlight at the top right bar, and search for 'Software Update'. In the Apple Mac OSX Software Update screen click on Check Now to look for and install any impending updates. After applying software updates and rebooting, launch Boot Camp Assistant from Spotlight. Click on Continue and select the partition size for your Windows 7 installation -- ideally try to divide the hard drive into equal partitions. After partitioning the drive, insert your Windows 7 installation DVD to begin installing Windows 7 on your Mac OSX.



If you have never installed Windows 7 before (either on your laptop or desktop computer), here's what to expect. Windows will load all the necessary files required to setup Windows 7 (you will see this message on a black screen). Soon you will see a blue splash-screen where Windows 7 will ask you to select your preferred language, time and currency format, and keyboard input method -- we recommend keeping everything at default at this stage. Next you will see a setup start screen and Microsoft will ask you to agree to its Windows software license terms -- just check the box and proceed forward. Click on the Custom Installation option in the next window, and Windows will greet you with a screen asking you where to install Windows 7. Always choose the disk partition labelled Boot Camp in bold and format it and click on next. You will now see Windows copying, expanding files and installing features and updates before completing installation of Windows 7. The actual Windows 7 installation should take up about 30 minutes on the Apple Macbook.



Soon after installing Windows 7 and at first boot, you will see Windows preparing your desktop screen for the first time. Enter in a username and password for your user account on Windows 7. At the next screen you should enter the unique 25-character Windows 7 original key -- you can untick the box and enter in the key later, no problem. Click on recommended protection settings to finish installation of Windows 7 and seeing the first glimpse of Windows 7 desktop screen on Apple Mac OSX. Now time to pop out the Windows 7 disc and pop in Apple Mac OSX installation DVD that you received with your Macbook/iMac.



The Apple Mac OSX DVD will autoplay -- if not double-click on the DVD drive in Windows to launch Boot Camp Installer on Windows 7. All you have to do is click on Next and accept Apple's software license agreement to proceed forward to Boot Camp installation. Make sure you tick the box for Apple Software Update for Windows. Time to just sit back and watch Boot Camp as it installs all the necessary chipset, graphics, and networking drivers for Windows 7 on your Macbook/iMac. After installing all the drivers, you will be informed that Boot Camp has successfully installed on your computer.



That's it! Now you can dual boot with Windows 7 and Mac OSX on your Apple MacBook or iMac. When in Windows, you can click on the Boot Camp icon in the taskbar to reboot into Mac OSX and make other changes. Enjoy.

Jayesh Shinde