While the keyboard and mouse or trackpad work, these only provide simple capabilities.
This information applies to Boot Camp Assistant 6, which is required to install Windows 10.
It is included in macOS Big Sur (11) through macOS Sierra (10.12).
To install alternate Windows versions, it’s crucial that you manually download and create the Windows Support Drivers.
So, before going any further, back up your Mac’s drive.
There are plenty ofbackup applicationsavailable.
When the backup is finished, you’ve got the option to start working with Boot Camp Assistant.
Attach the USB flash drive used in this process directly to one of your Mac’s USB ports.
Do not connect the flash drive to your Mac through a hub or other unit.
Doing so can cause the Windows installation to fail.
Depending on what you want to accomplish, you may not need to use all three tasks.
Your Mac automatically starts the Windows installation process after the appropriate partition is created.
grab the Tasks
Place a check mark next to the tasks you want to perform.
you could select more than one task, and the tasks are performed in the appropriate order.
Typically, you select all the tasks and have Boot Camp Assistant run them concurrently.
you’re free to also select one task at a time.
It makes no difference to the final outcome.
If you select more than one task, your Mac automatically continues to the next task.
Create the Windows Installer
Boot Camp Assistant 6 creates a Windows 10 installer disk.
To perform this task, you must have a Windows 10 ISO image file.
TheISO filecan be stored on your Mac’s internal drives or an external drive.
If needed, launch Boot Camp Assistant.
(Remove check marks from the remaining tasks if you want to perform only the install disk creation.)
When you’re ready, clickContinue.
In the Destination Disk section, select theUSB flash driveyou want to use as the bootable Windows installer disk.
The selected destination disk is reformatted, causing all data on the selected gear to be erased.
Click theContinuebutton when ready.
A drop-down sheet warns you about the possibility of data loss.
Boot Camp creates the Windows Installer drive for you.
This process can take a while.
Supply your password and clickOK.
LaunchBoot Camp Assistant, located at /Applications/Utilities and read the introductory text.
Put a check mark next toDownload the latest Windows support software from Apple.
(Remove the check marks from the remaining two items if you are only downloading the support software.)
Choose to save the Windows support software to any external drive attached to your Mac.
In both cases, chooseMS-DOS (FAT)as the format andMaster Boot Recordas the Scheme.
After you format the USB drive, quit Disk Utility and continue with Boot Camp Assistant.
Once downloaded, the drivers save to the selected USB flash drive.
Provide your password and click theAdd Helperbutton.
After the Windows support software has been saved, Boot Camp Assistant displays a Quit button.
Use this flash drive during the Windows install process.
Boot Camp Assistant burns the information to the blank media for you.
SelectBurn a copy to CD or DVD.
When the download is complete, Boot Camp Assistant asks you to insert blank media into your optical drive.
Insert the blank media into the optical drive and then clickBurn.
When the burn is complete, the Mac ejects the CD or DVD.
Boot Camp may ask for your administrator password to add a new helper tool.
Provide your password and clickAdd Helper.
The process of downloading and saving the Windows support software is complete.
If you’re installing Windows on a portable Mac, connect it to an AC power source.
Place a check mark next toInstall Windows 10 or later.
If your Mac has multiple internal drives, you are shown a list of the available drives.
opt for drive you want to use for the Windows installation.
Make your selection and clickContinue.
The hard drive you selected displays with one section listed as macOS and the new section listed as Windows.
Drag the dot until the Windows partition is the desired size.
Close any other open applications, saving any app data as needed.
After you click theInstallbutton, your Mac partitions the selected drive and then automatically restarts.
Insert the USB flash drive containing the Windows 10 Install disk and clickInstall.
Boot Camp Assistant creates the Windows partition and names it BOOTCAMP.
It then restarts your Mac and begins the Windows installation process.
Install Windows
During the Windows 10 installation process, you are asked where to install Windows 10.
You are shown an image depicting the drives on your Mac and how they are partitioned.
You may see three or more partitions.
choose the partition that has BOOTCAMPas part of its name.
The partition’s name starts with the disk number and partition number and ends with the word BOOTCAMP.
For example, “Disk 0 Partition 4: BOOTCAMP.”
Select thepartitionthat includes the BOOTCAMP name.
Click theDrive Options (Advanced)link.
Click theFormatlink and then clickOK.
From here, follow the normal Windows 10 installation process.
Eventually, the Windows install process completes, and your Mac reboots into Windows.
initiate the USB flash drive in Windows 10.
Within the BootCamp folder is a setup.exe file.
Double click thesetup.exefile to start the Boot Camp driver installer.
You are asked if you want to allow Boot Camp to make changes to your gear.
ClickYesand then follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation of Windows 10 and the Boot Camp drivers.
Once the installer finishes its task, click theFinishbutton.
Your Mac reboots to the Windows 10 environment.
grab the Default Operating System
The Boot Camp driver installs the Boot Camp Control Panel.
It should be visible in the Windows 10 System Tray.
Select theStartup Disktab in the control panel.
choose the drive (OS) you want to set as the default.
