The next generation Window 8 Operating System has become so popular that everyone wants to use it. Even the Mac users are eager to install the OS on their Macs to get a first hand experience of it. So, this article mainly aims the process to install Windows 8 on the Mac PC using the Boot camp assistant software.
Basic Requirements:
- Windows 8 DVD, ISO, or USB
- A USB drive with 8GB or more capacity
Here, we will be using the Boot Camp Assistant software which is usually available on Mac. This Boot camp helps in the installation of Windows Operating System on Macs based on Intel. The various steps include the downloading of the necessary software, creating the partitions on the disk for Windows, and starting the windows installer. The Mac should be an Intel based with the Boot Camp Assistant of the version of 4.0 or higher. All the backup of the files should be made before the windows is installed on Mac. The various steps are as follows:
Step 1: The first step is to launch the Boot Camp Assistant software. For launching it, navigate to Utilities and Go to Boot Camp Assistant to open it.
Step 2: After the launching is complete, click on the Continue button. An introduction scene appears which shows the options available for Mac. The option shown are:
- Create a Windows 8 install disk
- Download the latest Windows support software from Apple
- Install Windows 8
If you are using a USB flash drive for the installation and if the Mac does not support the installation from USB, then the Create a Windows 8 install disk is not shown. All the options are selected by default. If you are using a Mac mini or a Macbook Air, click on the option Create a Windows 8 install disk. This will create a bootable Windows & flash drive. Then, click on Continue.
Step 3: This step is for those who have selected the option Create a Windows 7 install disk. This step requires you to make the selection of the ISO file of Windows 8 and the USB which you want to make bootable. After selecting click continue.
Step 4: Boot Camp Assistant shows the option Create a partition for Windows window. Dragging the divider between the partitions will set the size of the partitions. Usually, it is recommended a minimum of 30 GB for Windows partition, but Microsoft recommends 16 GB but if you want to install other software on Windows 8, go for at the least 30GB. Then click on Install button which appears. This will start the partitioning and install Windows 8. The computer will restart. A message is shown “Booting from Boot Camp Assistant created boot drive”
Step 5: After the Windows 8 is successfully made and it has started running, Mac-specific drivers and other support software for Windows are to be installed. The support software are present on the same USB drive. Click to Open the Windows 8 USB flash drive and go to Windows Support folder and then double-click on setup.exe file. This will start installing all drivers and Apple Software Updates.