Ask Different is a question and answer site for power users of Apple hardware and software. It only takes install windows 10 on macbook pro 2011 without bootcamp free download minute to sign up. Connect and share knowledge within a single location that is structured and easy to search. Apple does not support Boot Camp Assistant installations of Windows 10 on and install windows 10 on macbook pro 2011 without bootcamp free download iMac models.
The exact list of supported Mac models is given below. If you have one of the models listed below, then you should use the Boot Camp Assistant to install Widows I have read where others have successfully used the Boot Camp Assistant to create a Windows flash drive installer. This was accomplished by first editing a. I have the following problems with doing this.
I would desire to preform the installation without any of the following. But, since macOS Recovery is not a third party tool, I am not opposed to its use. Note: This version of my answer uses the 21H1 version of Windows The previous version of this answer, which used the version of Windows 10, can be found here. Also, if installing the version of Windows 10, then you should read this question. The only way to know is to build such an installer and try booting. Apple has not supplied the drivers for a 64 bit Windows 10 installation.
A common misconception is that the latest Windows Support Software from Apple should always be used to install Windows This is wrong. Microsoft Windows is designed to use legacy drivers when current drivers are not available or nonexistant.
You should use the latest Windows Support Software install windows 10 on macbook pro 2011 without bootcamp free download apple has released for your model Mac. I assume this is what you get when the latest Boot Camp Assistant application available for your Mac is used to download the Windows Support Software.
Note: I actually have a iMac running Windows 10 Pro 64 bit. The software was installed from a DVD on a freshly formatted partition using the Windows Support Software designed for a 32 bit Windows 7 installation. Windows will be installed on the primary internal drive.
In other words, the drive with the disk identifier of disk0. Note: Windows can be installed on drives other than disk0but this may also require a MB "System Reserved" boot partition on disk0. In any case, the procedure to implement this situation is beyond the scope of this answer.
Note: Windows can be installed on partitions greater than the fourth partition. Again, the procedure to implement this situation is beyond the scope of this answer. Note: To get a better view of the images shown below, either click on an image or open an image in a new window. Download the latest Windows Support Software for your Mac.
On my Mac, these files were downloaded to the "BootCamp5" folder stored in my "Downloads" folder. This software can also be use with the Mac models given below. Look for the "Action" pulldown on the Boot Camp Assistant menu bar.
On my iMac, these files were downloaded to the "WindowsSupport" folder" stored in my home folder. If this volume already exists, then erase the contents. So, you may be able to install windows 10 on macbook pro 2011 without bootcamp free download the BCA to partition the drive, then use the flash drive to install Windows.
Use the Disk Utility application to erase a 16 GB or larger flash drive. Choose the parameters shown in the image below. Mount the Windows iso file. If you encountered a different label, then make the appropriate modifications to the instructions given in the rest of this step.
Copy the contents of the mounted Windows iso file to the volume in the Windows partition. Copy the contents of the mounted Windows iso file to the flash drive. Next, you need to boot from the flash drive. Hold down the option key immediately after restarting your Mac. Release the option key when the Startup Manager window appears. Next, select the arrow below the "EFI boot" label. Install windows 10 on macbook pro 2011 without bootcamp free download commands you need to enter are given below.
Note: Sometimes the diskpart command can take a while install windows 10 on macbook pro 2011 without bootcamp free download produce the first prompt. Be patient. You should see output similar to what is shown below. Also, determine the drive letter Ltr for this volume. In this example, I will assume the number is 1 and the letter is C. Your number and letter could be different.
The next command selects this volume. The next sequence of commands mark the volume active bootable and then quit diskpart. You need to finish the installation of Windows Enter the command shown below to quit the Windows Command Prompt window. Press Escape or click the red X button to close the Windows installer. If the popup shown below appears, then click on the Yes button. Immediately, hold down the option key while the Mac restarts.
Select the internal drive icon labeled "Windows". Next, hold down the control key install windows 10 on macbook pro 2011 without bootcamp free download choosing the circular arrow below the "Windows" label. Continue with the installation of Windows When asked: "Where do you want to install Windows?
Next, click on the Format button, then the OK button. Finally, click on the Next button. Proceed until you reach the screen where you are prompted for your region. For the 21H1 version OS build For other versions of Windows 10, the screen could appear different. As an example, the screen, for the version OS build of Windows 10, would appear as shown below. Note: At this point, prohibiting your Mac access to the internet is generally a good idea.
For example, unplug any ethernet cables or disable Wi-Fi access that does not require encryption. If you are using a wireless keyboard, then you may have to utilize the On-Screen Keyboard.
See Ease of access on the lower left of the screen. If the Boot Camp installer automatically launches, then your screen should appear similar to the image shown below. Install Boot Camp by following the displayed steps. After the installer application completes, allow the computer to restart. You will return to the Administrator's desktop.
If you are using a wireless keyboard, check to see if the keyboard is paired with the Mac. If not, then add the wireless keyboard to the existing Bluetooth devices. Note: When pairing my Apple wireless keyboard, I needed to hold down the power button on the keyboard before trying to add the device.
I released the button, when the keyboard was discovered by the Mac. If you prohibited your Mac access to the internet in an earlier step, you will now want to allow access. In other words, plug in the ethernet cable or connect by Wi-Fi. If you happens, you should uncheck all other updates and just update "Apple Software Update". Otherwise, you may get an error message saying another update can not be installed. I my case, there were two updates of the "Apple Software Update" to download and install.
Optional Download and install Windows updates, including perhaps any optional updates. However, skipping this step may result in some hardware drivers not being updated. Note: If the Restart now button appears while downloading and installing updates, then this button should not be selected until all displayed updates have finished installing or reached a status of "Pending restart".
From the Windows Start menu, select to restart the Mac. In this window, select "Shutdown" under the "Shutdown options", as shown below. Next, select "OK" to shutdown the Mac. At this point, you have completed the installation of Windows This is basically the way a newly purchased PC starts up, when Windows 10 is already installed. This problem occurred when using a wireless keyboard and mouse.
The Device Manager window is shown below. Here, there appears to be problem with a Bluetooth HID device.
Click Confirm. Click the dropdown menu below Select the product language. Click your language of choice. Click bit Download. Click Save. The ISO file will now be downloaded. Click Continue. Boot Camp should automatically locate the ISO file on your system.
Click and drag the slider in the partition section. It will be set to 48GB by default, but you can add as much storage as you want within the limits of the drive. Click Install. Windows support software will now be downloaded. Type your password. Click OK. Your Mac will restart and you will see the Windows 10 setup screen. Choose your language. Click Install Now. Type your product key or click I don't have a key. You can enter it after the installation. Click either Windows 10 Pro or Windows 10 Pro based on your preference.
Installing Windows on a Mac should be a piece of cake with Bootcamp, but that rarely is the case. This post did take a lot of work to complie and I did bone my hard drive a few times while trying certain ideas, so please throw out a thanks if it helped you out :. Disclaimer : This guide below contains procedures which can potentially destroy your partitions and data. I accept no responsibility for such loss so please proceed at your own risk.
Update : I have updated this post with further improvements relating to downloading of Boot Camp drivers and ensuring that a Hybrid MBR is not used which would cause issues when installing Windows. Open unetbootin , enter your password, set the options as follows and click OK :. If you see more than one drive listed, you may confirm which is your USB drive by opening the Terminal and typing:. This process takes around 15 minutes to complete.
In Disk Utility , select your internal hard drive on the left panel, and click on Partition. In this step, we revert this additional change made by Disk Utility by switching back to a pure GPT partition table. If your MBR partition is set to hybrid , please continue with step 4, otherwise if it is set to protective , you may skip the rest of this section.
Simply type q and hit return to exit GPT fdisk. This step is critical as I have had rather serious problems during Windows installation when certain external drives are connected. Unplug everything from your Mac except your keyboard if wired and your bootable Windows USB stick which we prepared earlier.
If your Mac contains multiple physical drives, you will need to disconnect all disks except the one which you intend to install Windows on or you may encounter the following error:.
Windows could not prepare the computer to boot into the next phase of installation. To install Windows, restart the installation. Ensure that the USB stick containing the Windows installer is inserted and then restart your Mac while holding down the option alt key.
