On this page:

1. How To Install Windows On Catalina
2. How To Install Windows On Macos Catalina
3. How To Install Windows 7 On Macos Catalina
4. Install Windows 7 On Mac Catalina Update

• Installation guide

1.) Either put your physical install disk in to your DVD drive, mount your ISO to a folder on your PC or 7-Zip extract the ISO to a new folder. If you have Windows 10 simply right click and select open in Windows Explorer. If you have Windows XP/Vista/7 you will need to use 7-ZIP to extract the files from your ISO. Step Six: Install macOS Catalina on VMware Workstation. With the virtual machine configured, you’re ready to install macOS Catalina entirely on your computer, so let’s get started. From the VMware, select the Catalina and click Power on the virtual machine. Power on This Virtual Machine. MacOS Catalina Download and Install for your computer - on Windows PC 10, Windows 8 or Windows 7 and Macintosh macOS 10 X, Mac 11 and above, 32/64-bit processor, we have you covered.

Overview

How To Install Windows On Catalina

If you wish to run both macOS and Windows on a single Mac computer, UITS recommends using Apple's Boot Camp utility to install a 64-bit version of Windows on your Mac. In macOS, the Boot Camp Assistant app will help you partition your Mac hard drive to accommodate both operating systems, so you can install Windows from an installation disk or an ISO image stored on a USB flash drive.

Pre-installation notes

• This guide is written for macOS High Sierra, version 10.13.x or newer. If your computer cannot run macOS High Sierra version 10.13.x, you will need to follow Apple's Boot Camp Help: Install Windows on your Mac. If you don't have access to the online guide via a different device, print a copy of the Boot Camp Installation & Setup Guide.
• Determine whether your computer can run Windows 10; refer to Apple's System requirements to install Windows on your Mac using Boot Camp.
• To determine if your Mac supports this feature, open Boot Camp Assistant (Go > Utilities > Boot Camp Assistant), and then click Continue. If you see a 'Create a Windows 7 or later install disk' checkbox, your Mac supports this feature.

• Make sure your computer meets these requirements:
  • At least 80 GB of free hard drive space
  • You have either the keyboard and mouse (or trackpad) that came with your Mac, or a USB keyboard and mouse
• Obtain a USB flash drive (at least 16 GB).
• During installation, you will be prompted to enter an account name and password; this is for the administrator account, and should not be the one you generally use. You also will be prompted to enter your time zone.
• Ensure that the computer is plugged into a power source, as the entire process may take several hours.

Installation guide

• These instructions are intended strictly as a guide for installing a fully updated 64-bit version of Windows on a macOS High Sierra 10.13.x or newer computer at IU; if your computer cannot run that version of macOS, you'll need to follow Apple's Boot Camp Help: Install Windows on your Mac.
• Perform these steps in order.

Step 1: Check for macOS updates

Before configuring Boot Camp, it is critical to make sure that your Mac's software is up-to-date, which lessens the risk of encountering problems during installation:

1. In the menu bar, from the Apple menu, click App Store.
2. At the top of the window, click Updates.
3. If there are updates for your computer, in the upper right corner of the window, click Update All.

   If you're prompted, enter an administrator's username and password, and if prompted, allow your computer to restart.

When your computer restarts, check for additional updates by repeating the steps above. Repeat the process until there are no new updates in the App Store.

Step 2: Confirm your macOS version

In the menu bar, from the Apple menu, click About This Mac. The window will display the version of macOS on your computer. If you aren't running macOS High Sierra (10.13.x), you need to follow Apple's Boot Camp Help: Install Windows on your Mac.

Step 3: Turn off FileVault

To proceed, you need to divide your Mac's hard drive into a section for macOS and a section for Windows. This process is called partitioning a disk, and requires that you disable FileVault (whole-disk encryption provided by Apple):

1. In the menu bar, from the Apple menu, click System Preferences.
2. Click Security & Privacy.
3. Click FileVault. The FileVault control panel will open, locked by default.
4. Before you can disable FileVault, it requires you to unlock the control panel to show that you're an administrator on your computer. To do so, click the lock icon. Enter your administrator username (if required) and your password.
5. You'll then be able to click Turn Off FileVault.... To confirm, click Turn Off Encryption.

   Decrypting an encrypted drive can take some time, the exact time being determined by how much data is on your disk, the disk size, and your computer's hardware capabilities.

Step 4: Download Windows 10

The version of Windows 10 on IUware will not work with Boot Camp; you'll need to download Windows directly from Microsoft, and use a product key you get from IUware.

Downloading Windows 10 Education takes some time, depending on the speed of your internet connection. Do not attempt the download on a metered connection, such as a tethered cell phone.

1. Get a product key:
   1. Go to IUware.
   2. On the left, click PC.
   3. Click Windows 10 Education, and choose the 64-bit version.
   4. Click Log in. If prompted, log in with your IU username and passphrase.
   5. Write the product key (a series of letters and numbers that resembles 'XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX') on paper, since you won't be able to open anything on your Mac while Windows is being installed.
2. Download Windows 10:
   1. Navigate to Microsoft's Software Download page, and click Windows 10.
   2. In the Select edition drop-down list, choose Windows 10, and click Confirm.
   3. Select the appropriate language, and click Confirm.

Step 5: Use Boot Camp Assistant

The Boot Camp Assistant will help guide you through the process of adding Windows to your Mac.

1. For an easy way to begin, click , the Spotlight icon. In the search bar, type boot camp assistant, and press Enter.
2. The next screen describes what Boot Camp assistant does, and warns you to back up your disk if you haven't already done so. Click Continue.
3. To select the installation tasks to complete, make sure Create a Windows 7 or later version install disk and Install Windows 7 or later version are both selected.

   Before continuing, make sure a USB drive (at least 16 GB) is connected to the system, and be aware that the entire contents of that flash drive will be erased.

4. On the next screen, make sure the ISO file you just downloaded from Microsoft and the appropriate flash drive are both selected. Click Continue.
5. To confirm that the drive will be overwritten, click Continue.

   This step will take some time, depending on your computer's hardware capabilities and your internet connection speed. Make sure your computer remains plugged into an AC outlet during this process.

6. To begin creating a partition on your Mac's hard disk to hold Windows, authenticate with your administrator password.
7. Use the slider between the Mac and Windows icons to select a size for the Windows partition.

   UITS recommends that you use 80 GB for just Windows, and 90 GB for Windows plus Microsoft Office.

8. Click Install.

   This process will take several minutes to complete. Once the partition is created, your Mac will restart and begin installing Windows 10. You may be prompted several times for your administrator password.

Step 6: Install Windows 10

Follow the Windows installation wizard to begin installing Windows. You'll be prompted with several questions about how to configure Windows for your needs.

These steps will take some time, depending on your computer's hardware capabilities. Make sure your computer remains plugged into an AC outlet during this process.

1. Select the language, time and currency format, and keyboard or input method for Windows. Click Next.
2. On the next screen, enter the product key you got from IUWare.
3. Choose the version of Windows that the product key unlocks (Windows 10 Education) and click Next.
4. Read and accept the license terms, and click Next.
5. Choose the partition on which Windows will be installed, called 'BOOTCAMP'. Click Format.
6. To confirm that you wish to format the partition, click OK. To continue, click Next.
7. The installer will copy Windows files and install any features and updates required. When prompted, click Restart Now to restart your Mac and continue the Windows Installation process.

Step 7: Configure Windows 10

After Windows restarts, you'll need to do some configuration.

1. To select the appropriate region, choose United States, and click Yes.
2. To select the keyboard layout, make sure US is selected, and click Yes.
3. If you would like to add a secondary keyboard layout, use the next screen to do so; otherwise, click Skip.
4. On the 'Let's connect you to a network 'screen, click Skip for Now.

Step 8: Create your Windows administrator account

1. To create your account, type your name and click Next.
2. Type a password and click Next. Do not use your IU network passphrase.
3. Confirm your password by typing it again, and click Next.
4. Select a series of three security questions, clicking Next after each one.
5. Decide whether or not you want to use Cortana in Windows. Decide what privacy settings you would like to enable or disable, and click Accept.

Windows will do its final configurations. This step will take some time, depending on your computer's hardware capabilities. Make sure your computer remains plugged in to an AC outlet during this process.

Step 9: Install support software

Once Windows has started (may take some time), the Boot Camp installer will walk you through installing Apple's support software.

1. To begin the process, click Next.
2. Read and accept the license agreement, and click Install. All the Apple-specific software you need to run Windows efficiently on your computer will be installed.
3. When the installer finishes, click Finish.
4. To restart the computer, click Yes.
5. When the computer restarts, click the trackpad or press any key to display the login field. Log in with the password you created earlier in the configuration process.

Step 10: Configure Windows Wi-Fi settings

• eduroam:

  The simplest and most secure way to connect to eduroam is to use the Eduroam Network Setup Tool. Alternatively, you can use the instructions below to connect manually.

  To connect manually, select eduroam from the list of available wireless networks, and enter your full IU email address (for example, johndoe@iu.edu) and passphrase.

  • If you connect to eduroam at an institution other than an IU campus, you'll need to use the IU VPN to access some resources (such as remote desktop, library resources, and department drives).
  • For troubleshooting tips, see Troubleshoot your eduroam connection.
• IU Secure: To connect, select IU Secure from the list of available wireless networks, and enter your IU username and passphrase.

You have finished installing Windows on your Mac. If you need to install Microsoft Office, see About Microsoft 365 at IU.

Step 11: Configure the default boot operating system

You have the option to boot to either Windows or macOS when starting your Mac. You can also select one operating system for the computer to start by default.

1. To shut down your Mac while you're in Windows, from the Start menu, click the Power button, and then click Shutdown.
2. To boot into macOS, with the power off, press and hold the Option key and power on your Mac.
3. Hold the Option key until you see two hard disk icons and a Wi-Fi network selector. Boot into macOS by clicking Macintosh HD (you'll select the default boot operating system momentarily).
4. From the Startup Disk control panel, click the Apple menu. Click System Preferences, and then Startup Disk.
5. To unlock the settings, click the Lock icon, and then type your administrator passphrase.
6. To select the default boot operating system, click the disk that correlates to the operating system you would like to select. For macOS, choose Macintosh HD; for Windows, choose Bootcamp. If you would like to boot into the selected operating system now, click Restart.

Switch operating systems

Whenever you would like to switch operating systems:

1. Shut down the computer.
2. Press and hold the option key and power on your computer by pressing and releasing the power button.
3. When you see two hard disk icons, release the option key.
4. Click the hard disk icon that corresponds with the operating system you would like to boot. For macOS, choose Macintosh HD; for Windows, choose Bootcamp.

Get help

For help, contact your campus Support Center.

Best apps live in Setapp

One of the best things about using a Mac is that you can have it all. Apple doesn’t make macOS available to other platforms, but Windows (and Linux, for that matter) is available as a download. With Boot Camp Assistant on Mac, you can load Windows onto your macOS machine and enjoy both platforms seamlessly. When it comes to apps and games, sometimes Windows is the only way to go!

Why install Windows on Mac

Many who choose to buy a Mac do so because they’re just not Windows fans. But, some apps just don’t run on macOS – or may be better on Windows. So you’ll definitely need to know how to install Windows on Mac.

It opens up a new realm of PC gaming, too. The games selection on macOS is limited; even with Apple Arcade, native PC gaming is still best on Windows.

Many professional apps are only available to Windows devices. This is especially true now that Apple has ended support for 32-bit apps. Many developers with Windows and macOS versions simply abandoned the macOS platform to focus on their Windows apps.

Luckily, most modern Macs can run Windows just fine. As you’ll see, even older Macs are very capable of running the latest version of Windows via Boot Camp.

How to Boot Camp a Mac: System requirements

Apple’s guidance on Windows 10 via Boot Camp is a bit fuzzy. Officially, it says these three devices support Windows 10 on Mac:

• iMac (2012 model or later)

• iMac Pro (any model)

• Mac Pro (2013 or later)

You should also be running the latest version of macOS. Boot Camp comes pre-loaded on macOS, but if you don’t have it, download the Boot Camp Support Software here.

You can have as little as 64GB free storage space on your machine, though Apple says 128GB provides the best experience. To find out how much free storage space you have available on your Mac, select  > About This Mac from the menu bar. In the popup window, simply select “Storage” to see how much space you have available.

How to prepare your Mac for Windows install

The reason 128GB of free space is recommended is Boot Camp for Mac (or Mac Boot Camp, whatever you prefer) essentially divides your hard drive in two: one for Mac, one for Windows. Automatic Windows Updates require 64GB storage, so 128GB gives your Mac plenty of storage to operate.

Apple’s list of machines officially available for Boot Camp all came with 128GB storage as a standard. Again, any Mac with as little as 64GB free space will work, but performance will suffer once you start getting below 128GB.

Boot Camp on Mac will not provide more room for Windows than Mac. Simply put, Boot Camp divides your storage space in two equal parts; if you have 100GB free space on your machine, it will not afford more than 50GB to Windows, which we know is inadequate. It will not allow 64GB for Windows, and 36GB for Mac. Boot Camp automatically affords very little space for Windows, which you can change.

You will need a USB flash drive with at least 16GB free space to install Windows 10 for Mac using Apple’s Boot Camp. The exception here would be the following machines machines running macOS El Capitan (10.11) or later, which don’t require a USB drive:

• iMac (2015 or later)

• iMac Pro

• Mac Pro

How to use Boot Camp to install the Windows 10 ISO

An ISO file is a disk image; there’s nothing fancy about it, it’s simply the archived version of any platform, like Windows. When you download the Windows 10 ISO file, you’re simply downloading the latest version of Windows!

Before you start, be sure your USB drive is plugged into your Mac. Then, take the following steps:

How To Install Windows On Macos Catalina

1. Head to the Microsoft Windows 10 ISO downloads page

2. Select which version of Windows 10 you want from the drop-down menu (Windows 10 is likely the only option, here).

3. Click Confirm

4. From the dropdown menu, select the language you’d like for your version of Windows 10 for Mac.

5. Click Confirm

6. Select 64-bit Download

7. In the popup, select your USB drive from the “Where” drop-down menu

8. Click Save

How to Install Windows 10 on Mac with Boot Camp

Once you’ve downloaded the Windows 10 ISO onto your USB drive, make sure you backup your Mac using Time Machine, or a method of your choosing. Then, follow these steps:

1. On your Mac, go to Finder > Applications > Utilities > Boot Camp Assistant.

2. Click Continue.

3. If the system doesn’t automatically find your ISO image on your attached USB drive, select “Choose” to find its location.

4. A slider may appear, showing Boot Camp is allowing 48GB for Windows. This is Apple’s default setting. Again, Windows 10 requires at least 64GB, and 128GB is preferred. If you see the slider, drag it to allow Windows as much room as is necessary to operate comfortably.

5. Click Install.

6. Type your Mac’s password.

7. Click OK.

Your Mac will restart. Instead of the normal macOS booting operation, you’ll instead see a Windows loading screen. You are essentially starting fresh, here. Now, perform these steps:

1. Choose your language for Windows 10 on Boot Camp

2. Click Install Now.

3. Click Next.

4. Select Custom: Install Windows Only

5. Click Drive 0 Partition X: BOOTCAMP

6. Click Next.

Windows is now being installed. Your Mac will restart a few times during this process. The first option you’re given is to use “express settings,” or custom. Express settings are fine; you can change settings later if you like.

It will also ask you to enter a username and password for this Windows 10 partition, just as you have to log-in to your Mac using macOS. After you’ve done so, click Next. Windows 10 will now boot on your Mac.

How to install Boot Camp on your Windows 10 partition

The first time you open Windows 10 on your Mac, a window will automatically appear for installing the Boot Camp download onto your Windows 10 partition. This is a critical step; it downloads drivers and software necessary to maximize your Windows 10 experience on Mac, and allows for seamless switching between the two platforms.

When you see the Boot Camp popup, take the following steps:

1. Click Install.

2. Accept the terms and conditions.

3. Click Install.

4. Click Finish once the installation has completed.

How To Install Windows 7 On Macos Catalina

How to return to macOS from a Windows 10 Partition

There are two ways to go about this. The first is to select the “show hidden icons” option on the Windows 10 taskbar at the bottom of the screen. It will give you the option to “restart in macOS.” Clicking this will automatically reboot your computer into the Mac environment you’re comfortable with.

That’s a one-way street, though. A better practice to get into is simply restarting your Mac, and holding down the Option key during installation. A boot menu will appear, giving you the option to boot into macOS or Windows. This method is a touch longer, but is better if you need to navigate between the two operating systems often.

Do you really need Windows 10 for Mac?

Before heading down the Boot Camp Windows 10 for Mac route, think about whether or not you really need it. If you were using Microsoft Paint, to do things like annotate images, Capto is a great alternative for Mac. It has a simple, easy-to-use interface that allows you to do things like add thought bubbles and text to images. You can also perform many of Microsoft Paint’s more popular functions like drawing or paint-filling a selection.

Capto has the added benefit of being a robust screen recorder for Mac, as well as a lightweight video editor. Unless you’re really deep into Microsoft Paint’s feature-set, we think Capto will suit your needs just fine.

If Microsoft Publisher is your thing, try Swift Publisher for Mac instead. It has over 500 templates with 2,000 clipart images to choose from, and over 700 layouts for business cards and labels. You can even use it to make barcodes for your small business! Swift Publisher is also Mac-native, and adheres to design guidelines that are more suitable to users familiar with the Mac environment.

If you just need a lightweight IDE for coding, you don’t need to install Windows 10 on Boot Camp to get Notepad++. Instead, give CodeRunner for Mac a try! It has code completion for most languages, and is extensible. You can even add languages you don’t see listed. CodeRunner is also highly customizable; if you don’t want it to automatically do things like add closing brackets, you can tell it not to! It also has documentation for most popular coding languages right in the app.

Install Windows 7 On Mac Catalina Update

Best of all, Capto, Swift Publisher, and CodeRunner are all available free using Setapp’s 7-day trial, where you can give all of Setapp’s included apps for Mac a try. It’s a lot easier than booting Windows 10 on a Mac!