Unlike many laptops or computers, Macs actually have the ability to utilize Windows OS. You may be thinking of installing Windows on your Mac, but you might be hesitant about what the side effects may be.
Installing Windows on a Mac will not slow it down. It shouldn’t cause any performance issues with your Mac. In fact, many people install Windows to have more flexibility in their computers. Windows can do more good for your Mac and it shouldn’t harm it at all.
For those who want to maximize the capabilities of their Mac, installing Windows might be a good idea. It’s important to understand the costs, benefits, and process of how to install this operating system on your computer.
What Happens When You Install Windows on a Mac?
You might be worried about unexpected “side effects” happening to your computer when you install Windows onto your Mac. However, there are almost none. The only thing that really happens is that it takes up some of the storage space on your device.
If you’re worried about installing Windows onto your Mac because you believe it will slow it down, don’t be. Installing Windows OS shouldn’t cause any performance issues on your computer.
Basically what happens when you install Windows OS on a Mac is that it creates a “partition” to your hard drive and it installs Windows OS onto that space. This allows you to use Mac OS as well as Windows OS. This will reduce the disk partition size, but other than that, everything should run normally and it won’t affect the Mac OS at all.
You’ll need to use a program called Boot Camp to boot Windows natively. Boot Camp allows Windows to have full access to all of the computer’s processing power and such. Boot Camp won’t slow down the computer either. It basically just makes it possible for you to run Windows on a Mac.
Cost of Installing Windows
There are monetary costs and storage costs for installing Windows on your Mac.
Storage Costs
You will need to have at least 64 GB of storage space on your Mac startup disk to install Windows. This is not only for this initial download and installation process but in the future as well. Automatic Windows updates require at least 64 GB of space or more. However, having at least 128 GB will provide the best experience.
You will also need an external USB flash drive with at least 16 GB or more to install Windows onto your Mac. Of course, if you’re using a Mac that doesn’t require a flash drive to install Windows, you won’t need a USB flash drive. If it’s the first time you’ve installed Windows on your Mac, you should make sure it’s the full version of Windows and not an upgrade.
Monetary Costs
The most recent version of Windows for Mac is Windows 10. There are two packaging options available for purchase. Microsoft has a Windows 10 “Home” version available for $139. They also have a Windows 10 “Pro” version available for $199.99. Updates to Windows should be included with the purchase.
Why You Should Install Windows on Your Mac
There are many reasons to install Windows onto your Mac.
Programs Exclusively for Windows
First, there are actually quite a few Windows programs that don’t have a Mac “equivalent” or alternative. By installing Windows on your Mac, you are giving yourself access to those same apps and programs you would have normally with Windows OS.
Games with Better Performance
If you’re a hardcore gamer or you just enjoy being able to play games without poor performance or programs running slow, you’ll want to use Windows OS. Many people enjoy gaming on PCs rather than individual consoles such as an Xbox or PlayStation. On a computer, you’ll find that you usually get to enjoy better graphics, less lag, higher frame rates, and even a broader selection of games.
Typically these gaming benefits that come from gaming on a PC only apply when you use Windows OS and not Mac OS. You can still use your Mac to game, but the availability of what actually works on your Mac will be very limited. Most people who use their PCs for gaming don’t use Macs which is why the market is so small and most developers won’t take the time to create versions of games for Mac OS.
As a result of this, Windows essentially has a monopoly, or something close to it, in the gaming market and most developers will design their games specifically for Windows.
For those games that do work on your Mac, they most likely will not run as smoothly or as well as they would if you were using Windows. If you want to use your Mac to play games, you should really consider installing Windows first.
Windows Apps Don’t Work Using Mac OS
It’s not just games. Many developers will create programs and apps that are designed specifically for Windows OS. There are many architects, engineers, researchers, and other specialists that will typically use Windows because they have to use a particular software that usually isn’t compatible with Mac OS.
As Mac computers grow in popularity, this will likely become less and less of a problem as developers will begin to create programs with Mac OS in mind instead of just Windows OS. In fact, more and more developers are being encouraged to create software and programs that work well with Mac OS. More and more popular apps and programs should work on both Windows and Mac.
However, for the time being, there are still plenty of programs that only work with Windows.
Installing Windows on your Mac will allow you to run whatever programs or software you would like. If you’re worried about the performance of your Mac, you should use a program, called Boot Camp, to dual-boot your computer.
The other option for using Windows on your Mac is to install a virtual machine. Basically what this does is it allows your computer to use Windows and Mac OS apps at the same time. A virtual machine will run Windows within Mac OS, but it will put more strain on your Mac because it’s running two operating systems at once instead of just one.
Developers Use Windows for Testing Projects
In many types of software, apps, and websites, there may be some errors, bugs, glitches, or other problems. One of the hardest parts of being a developer is taking the time to go through and test your projects to find those issues and fix them.
If you’re a developer, it may be helpful to have Windows and Mac OS on your computer. This is because you’ll want to make sure that your software works well in both of these operating systems. In some cases, an app will work perfectly through one OS, but will have many issues working in a different one.
The best way to be able to test it out on different operating systems is to have them both on a single computer.
If you’re a developer wanting to develop software for all operating systems, it may be helpful to install even more than just Windows OS on your Mac.
It’s the same for web developers as well. You’ll want to make sure your website works in every browser people will likely be using to access your site. You’ll need to test it out on Apple Safari, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Edge. For you to be able to do this, you’ll need to have access to both Windows and Mac OS.
Macs Are Some of the Best Windows Computers
One of the perks advertised by Apple is that Macs are actually some of the best Windows computers. For some people, a big deal breaker is whether or not a computer is compatible with Windows OS. Lucky for Apple users, this works out in their favor as Macs are set up to run with Windows if you choose to install that OS onto your computer.
Macs are already great computers and laptops. They’re slim, lightweight, and last a long time. They have great speakers and a great high-definition display. Overall, Macs are some really well-made and designed computers. They are usually ranked as among the best computers on the market.
Another perk of using a Mac is that Apple has great customer service. Apple even supports the decision people make to install Windows on their Macs. They even use a program called Boot Camp to help make the process smoother and to make sure your Mac runs as smoothly as possible. Of course, Apple won’t be able to help you troubleshoot issues with Windows, but it can definitely help you install it onto your computer initially.
Another great thing about using Windows on a Mac is that you have the option to use either Windows OS or Mac OS. You can go back and forth between the two as much as you would like or need to. This can’t be said for using a Windows laptop to use Mac OS.
Many people choose to run Windows on a Mac because it’s the operating system they’re used to and it has some of the best hardware available.
How to Install Windows on Your Mac
The first thing you should always do before installing any software or partitioning a hard drive is to back up your entire system. It’s not likely, but there’s always a possibility that you could lose data in the process of installation or partitioning. You should also make sure to do regular backups even if you’re not installing anything. This helps make sure that you don’t lose any important information due to software errors, hardware failure, or even data corruption.
On the Apple website itself, there is a step-by-step guide for how to install Windows on your Mac. It begins by explaining that you’ll want to install Windows OS by using the Boot Camp assistant which is included with Macs. (Source)
1. Check the Secure Boot Setting
In this first step, you should learn how to check your Secure Boot setting. The default setting for this is “Full Security.” If it has been changed to “No Security” for any reason, it should be changed back to “Full Security” before you install Windows. After Windows has been installed, you should be able to use any setting of Secure Boot without affecting your Mac’s ability to start up using Windows.
2. Create a Windows Partition Using Boot Camp
In this next step, you should open Boot Camp Assistant. You can find this in the “Utilities” folder of the “Applications” folder on your Mac. You should follow the instructions that appear onscreen.
In the event that you’re instructed to insert a USB drive, you should do so. Boot Camp Assistant will then use this drive to create a bootable USB drive. This will be used for installing Windows onto your computer.
Boot Camp Assistant will ask you to set the size of Windows partition. The minimum storage space requirement for this is 64 GB, so you’ll need at least that much free storage space to use Windows on your Mac. However, if you want to increase the performance of your computer while using Windows, you’ll want to at least double that and set it for 128 GB.
You’ll want to make sure you set a partition size that meets your needs and works for you because you won’t be able to change the partition size later.
3. Format the Windows (BOOTCAMP) Partition
Once the Boot Camp Assistant finishes its job, the Mac will restart to the Windows installer. Usually, the installer will select and format the BOOTCAMP partition automatically. In the event that the installer asks where you’d like to install Windows, you should select the BOOTCAMP partition. Then, click “Format.”
4. Install Windows OS
At this point, you should unplug any extra plugs or external devices that won’t be necessary during or for installation. You should click “Next” and follow the instructions which appear onscreen. This should start the installation process of Windows on your Mac.
5. Use the Boot Camp Installer in Windows
After Windows has been installed on your computer, your Mac should start up in Windows. It should open a window titled “Welcome to the Boot Camp Installer.” At this point, you’ll follow the instructions which appear onscreen again to install Boot Camp and Windows support software or drivers. After this process is done, you will be asked to restart your computer.
In the event that the Boot Camp installer never opens, you can open it manually and use it normally to complete Boot Camp installation.
Switching Between Windows OS and Mac OS
If you would like to switch to a different operating system while using your Mac, you’ll need to restart the computer. Then, you should press and hold the “Option” (or Alt) key during startup in order to switch between Mac OS and Windows OS.