Install Windows 10 on macOS Big Sur using Boot Camp
Install Windows 10 on macOS Big Sur- Either it was MacBook or MacBook Pro, most of the Apple systems were based on Intel. With the release of macOS Big Sur, Apple also announced their own silicon-based processor and the discontinuity of Intel processor in near future. While on other hand, there are users who want to install Windows 10 on their Intel-based Mac. So, here will install Windows 10 on macOS Big Sur using Boot Camp.
We are using Boot Camp, as with Boot Camp thing gets easier.
Note: we are not performing any kind of virtualization or running an emulator. In fact, we are dual booting macOS and Windows OS at the same time.
Related: Free Download macOS Big Sur ISO for Virtual Box
Requirements to install Windows 10 on mac
Before you start the installation, make sure you have the thing given below.
You will need to have access to all basic computer hardware that includes keyboard, mouse…
For RAM, 8 is needed a minimum else 16 GB is way better. As for storage, only Windows OS will take about 64 GB of space, you will need at least 128 GB of storage for Windows OS. If you are dual booting both macOS and Windows OS, then you will need at least 250 GB of free storage.
Using 32-bit Windows OS on Mac is an option due to poor compatibility. You will need to download Windows 10 64-bit in ISO Image. I would recommend you to use Windows 10 Home or Windows Pro for this purpose.
In short, Windows 10 is supported on the Mac systems below:
- MacBook introduced in 2015 or later
- MacBook Air and Pro introduced in 2012 or later
- Mac mini introduced in 2012 or later
- iMac introduced in 2012 or later1
- iMac Pro (all models)
- Mac Pro introduced in 2013 or later
Related: Free Download macOS Big Sur ISO Image
Before we start
Before we start the operation make sure to back up all your files. As there is a slight chance that you might lose your data. For backing up your files, you can use the Time Machine feature on your macOS.
Note: Since we are running Boot Camp for the purpose, of earlier systems it will be easy. However, on new Mac, which has an M1 chipset and these chipsets are based on ARM are not quite compatible with Windows 10. So just in case, if you got problems with the OS, then it is probably the new M1 chipset.
Install windows 10 on macOS Big Sur
Here we are installing Windows 10 on macOS Big Sur; however, you can perform the same procedure on other macOS (Mac systems) too.
Check software update
Let’s start by making your system updated. Start your macOS as admin and quit all applications. Go to the Apple menu and there you will find system preferences. Inside you will find Software Update, open it. Then click on Install all available macOS updates.
Once all the updates are downloaded, restart your system. Install all the updates.
Repair mac for Window
We will install Boot Camp first then will configure disks for Windows 10.
You will need to download Boot Camp support software (in most of the systems, the app is already available). The Boot Camp is located in /Applications/Utilities. It is normally found as BootCampAssistant.
If can’t find the boot camp then follow these steps; Go to Finder, navigate on the menu bar, there you will find Utilities in the drop-down menu. As you open the Boot Camp assistant, a new window will pop up.
Note: check your MacBook or the system that you are using is connected to a power source. Also, make sure that you won’t lose power while performing the rest of the operations.
You will be placed into the Welcome window, click on Continue.
Here you will need to create a new partition for Windows 10. Name the new partition as BOOTCAMP. Once the auto-reboot is created, format it. when the disk is ready, select the disk and also select the ISO Image of Windows 10.
Note: Loading will take place. this process will check storage, old-Time Machine snapshots, cached iCloud and will remove them to make space for your OS. if you want to skip the process then you can click on Skip.
Method for 1 internal disk
If you have 1 internal disk then you will need to choose Windows ISO Image, specify partition size and click on Install. Normally 42 GB of Boot Camp is used, 64 GB is a minimum whereas, 128 GB is recommended.
I would recommend you to use the name as Windows OS or Windows 10 partition, whereas for storage at least use 120 GB or more for windows partition.
Note: you can’t resize the disk size later, make sure you have done the partition according to your usage.
Method for multiple internal disk
If you have multiple internal disks, then;
If you select your startup disk: You can create an additional partition for Windows. Specify the partition size by dragging the divider between the macOS and Windows partitions.
If you select an APFS-formatted disk: You can either create an additional partition on the disk for Windows or erase the entire disk and create a partition for Windows. However, if you choose to create an additional partition, specify the partition size by dragging the divider between the macOS and Windows partitions.
If you select a non-APFS-formatted disk: You can erase the entire disk and create a partition for Windows.
Check secure boot settings
The secure boot by default is Full Security. You will need to make sure, it is not in Full Security before you install Windows 10 on your Mac. You will need to change the Full Security to No Security since we are going to install Windows on it and Full Security won’t let us perform the installation.
One more thing that you will need to change will be the External Boot option. Change it Allow booting from external media.
Install windows on macOS Big Sur
Now that you have created the partition and loading is completed, the system will restart. On restarting, your Mac will load Windows 10 setup file. From now on, you will need to install Windows 10.
Windows Setup will appear with Language to install, Time and currency format, and Keyboard or Input Method options. Select options and click on Next.
You will be asked for Windows 10 license key, click on Skip for now.
Select the Custom installation, and accept Windows License.
Installation of Windows 10 will take place. once the installation got completed, connect your Wi-Fi, create a user account with password and password hints.
In Get going fast window, use express settings.
Install boot camp on windows
Now that you have installed Windows 10, it is time to install Boot Camp that supports your Mac hardware installing.
The installation will start automatically, you will need to click on Next, then on Install. Downloading will begin.
Note: if the installation won’t start automatically, then you will need to install it manually.
In the Boot Camp installer in Windows, follow these commands.
- Don’t cancel any installer dialogs that appears on your screen.
- If “the software you’re installing has not passed Windows Logo testing” appears then click on Anyway.
- Try to not to responds to dialogs until asked. If asked to install, then click on Install.
- If nothing happens then look behind windows for tasks running.
When the installation got completed, click on Finish. Soon your Mac will restart and you are ready to go.
Related: How to Install macOS Big Sur on VMware Fusion?
Update windows 10
This is quite optional too. if you want to use the latest version of Windows 10 then you can update it too.
Click on Start and open Settings. There you will find Update & Security.
In Windows Update, you will find Check for updates. Click on Check for updates and the system will update your Windows 10.
Switch between macOS 11 and windows
From the start, I stated that it is not an emulation or virtualization, in fact, it is dual booting. If you want to switch between macOS and Windows OS, then here is how to do it.
Reboot your system.
Press the Option key and go to select menu.
Select the disk you want to run. It can be either Windows or macOS. The selected one will boot, and enjoy the OS.
Change Windows 10 to default boot
To make Windows 10 as default boot on your Mac, follow these steps:
Click on the Gear icon on Dock. Then select System Preferences.
Double click on start disk. Now select the startup disk (the disk where Windows 10 is hosted).
Restart your system.
Common Issues Experienced on Windows 10 on Mac
Here are some of the most common issues that a user could experience after installing Windows 10 on macOS.
The startup disk does not have enough space:
This error is when you don’t have enough space. The Windows alone takes almost 41 GB of storage, if you got this error then you will need to add a new SSD.
Your disk could not be partitioned:
For this error, you will need to format your disk to MS-DOS (FAT). Since in macOS all the disks are formatted as HFS+ or APFS. Go change the format of windows disk to FAT.
An error occurred while copying Windows 10 installation files:
Normally you will experience this error when your ISO Image of Windows 10 is corrupted or is missing important files. The same error can occur when the ISO is larger than 5GB whereas, the FAT can hold only 4GB. Here you will need to download the older version of Windows 10 and upgrade it later.
Conclusion
And that is it, on how to install windows 10 on macOS big sure using Boot Camp application. If you got stuck in any step or got confused then the comment section is all yours.
