With Boot Camp, you can install Microsoft Windows 10 on your Mac, then switch between macOS and Windows when restarting your Mac.
Follow these instructions, or watch the video at the bottom of the page.
What you need in order to install Windows 10 on Mac:
1. One of these Mac models:
- MacBook introduced in 2015 or later
- MacBook Air introduced in 2012 or later
- MacBook Pro introduced in 2012 or later
- Mac mini introduced in 2012 or later
- iMac introduced in 2012 or later
- iMac Pro (all models)
- Mac Pro introduced in 2013 or later
2. The latest macOS updates, which can include updates to Boot Camp Assistant. You will use Boot Camp Assistant to install Windows 10.
3. 64GB or more free storage space on your Mac startup disk.
Your Mac can have as little as 64GB of free storage space, but at least 128GB of free storage space provides the best experience. Automatic Windows updates require that much space or more.
If you have an iMac Pro or Mac Pro with 128GB of memory (RAM) or more, your startup disk needs at least as much free storage space as your Mac has memory.
4. Optional - An external USB flash drive with a storage capacity of 16GB or more. This is only necessary for older Mac models (mostly MacBook Air introduced before 2017, other models introduced before 2015), or devices that are not running OS X El Capitan 10.11 or later.
5. A 64-bit version of Windows 10 Home or Windows 10 Pro on a disk image (ISO) or other installation media. If installing Windows on your Mac for the first time, this must be a full version of Windows, not an upgrade.
Click here to download the Windows 10 ISO
Note: An activation key for Windows 10 is not necessarily required. Do you want to activate Windows 10 anyway? Use the code you get by clicking the Request button in Academic Software.
How to use Boot Camp Assistant to install Windows 10 on Mac
1. Use Boot Camp Assistant to create a Windows partition
Open Boot Camp Assistant, which is in the Utilities folder of your Applications folder, then follow the on-screen instructions.
- Navigate to your Windows 10 ISO file to select it
- Optional - If you're asked to insert a USB drive, plug your USB flash drive into your Mac. Boot Camp Assistant will use it to create a bootable USB drive for Windows installation.
- When setting the size of the Windows partition, remember that we recommend at least 128GB for a comfortable experience, or more considering how you intend to use Windows. Set a partition size that meets your needs, because you can't change it later.
2. Format the Windows (BOOTCAMP) partition
When Boot Camp Assistant finishes, your Mac restarts to the Windows installer. If the installer asks where to install Windows, select the BOOTCAMP partition and click Format. In most cases, the installer selects and formats the BOOTCAMP partition automatically.
3. Install Windows
Unplug any external devices that aren't necessary during installation, then click Next and follow the on-screen instructions to begin installing Windows.
4. Use the Boot Camp installer in Windows
After the Windows installation completes, your Mac starts up in Windows and opens a ”Welcome to the Boot Camp installer” window. Follow the on-screen instructions to install Boot Camp and Windows support software (drivers). You will be asked to restart when done.
- If the Boot Camp installer never opens, open it installer manually and use it to complete Boot Camp installation.
- If you have an external display connected to a Thunderbolt 3 port on your Mac, the display will be blank (black, gray, or blue) for up to 2 minutes during installation.
Switching between macOS and Windows 10
Restart your computer and press and hold the Option (or Alt) ⌥ key during startup.