Jan 30, 2017  Curious to see how an Apple MacBook can run Windows 10? We walk you through the steps of installing Windows 10 on the late-2016 MacBook Pro.

1. Jan 11, 2019  Install Windows on Mac so you can jump back and forth from one operating system to another on the same computer. By now, the practice is well-established and Windows can work on Mac well. In this article, we’ll have a deep look at installing Windows on Mac.
2. Dec 10, 2019  If installing Windows on your Mac for the first time, this must be a full version of Windows, not an upgrade. If your copy of Windows came on a USB flash drive, or you have a Windows product key and no installation disc, download a Windows 10 disk image from Microsoft.

Windows 10 is now the most popular version of Windows. Installing it on Parallels Desktop® for Mac is easy to do—and does not require you to purchase Windows 10 beforehand.

There are four different scenarios you might find yourself in, with slightly different steps:

Scenario 1: You have just installed Parallels Desktop 14 on your Mac®.

Scenario 2: You have Parallels Desktop on your Mac, and you want to add a Windows 10 virtual machine (VM).

Scenario 3: You want to upgrade an existing Windows VM to Windows 10.

Scenario 4: You want to move Windows 10 from a physical PC into a Parallels Desktop VM.

Here are the individual steps for each:

Scenario 1: You have just installed Parallels Desktop 14 on your Mac.

When you first launch Parallels Desktop 14 on a Mac, it will detect that you have no virtual machines and will automatically offer to download and install Windows 10 for you. (See Figure 1.)

Once you click “Install Windows,” there is basically nothing else for you to do. The Windows 10 installation files will begin downloading (Figure 2).

Note: If you click on “Skip” instead, you will be directed to the Installation Assitant where you can purchase Windows 10 (see Figure 8).

Figure 2_Downloading Windows 10

Once the download finishes, the installation of Windows 10 into a new VM in Parallels Desktop will begin (Figure 3).

You will be notified when it completes (Figure 4).

Figure 4_Windows 10 installation complete

How long this process takes depends on the speed of your Internet connection and Mac. For me, at home and on a new MacBook Air®, this took about one hour and 40 minutes.

While Windows 10 is installing, you’ll see dialogs about the installation of Parallels® Toolbox, a separate Parallels product that’s bundled with Parallels Desktop (Figure 5).

Figure 5_Parallels Toolbox, a product that is bundled with Parallels Desktop

Parallels Toolbox gives you 30+ single-purpose tools for common tasks. I encourage you to install Parallels Toolbox—I think you’ll find the tools very useful.

After Windows 10 is installed, you should get all of the available updates, and there probably will be several of them (Figure 6).

This may take a while but is very important.

At this point, you have a working installation of Windows 10 in a Parallels Desktop VM. You have not yet purchased Windows from Microsoft. A few features will be disabled until you do so. You can purchase and activate Windows from within your Windows VM, and the entire process takes only a few minutes (Figure 7).

Figure 7_Purchasing and activating Windows 10

Scenario 2: You have Parallels Desktop on your Mac, and you want to add a Windows 10 VM.

Adding Windows 10 as an additional VM in Parallels Desktop is also easy.

To start the process, either choose “New…” in the File menu of Parallels Desktop, or click on the “+” sign in the top right corner of the Control Center window.

Assuming that you don’t have a Windows 10 installation DVD laying around, click on the “Get Windows 10 from Microsoft” button (Figure 8).

Figure 8_Get Windows 10 button in the Installation Assistant

Then choose to purchase Windows 10 Home or Windows 10 Pro in the next screen. If you want to install Windows 10 without making a purchase yet, choose to download it (Figure 9).

Whichever path you choose, you will end up with a Windows 10 installation ISO file and a Windows 10 product key. After that, everything proceeds in the same manner as scenario 1. (See the previous Figure 2 as an example.) Don’t forget to install Parallels Toolbox and all the available Windows 10 updates!

Scenario 3: You want to upgrade an existing Windows VM to Windows 10.

Use these steps if you have a Windows 7 or 8 VM that you would like to upgrade to Windows 10.

Upgrading an operating system is a task best done with lots of RAM. If possible, upgrade the amount of memory allocated to the VM to 4 GB, using the memory pane of the configuration dialog for the VM you will be upgrading. The VM cannot be running when you do this. Be sure that the RAM allocation slider remains in the green area on the memory scale, not the yellow or red areas (Figure 10).

Figure 10_Increase the memory allocation for the VM that will be upgraded

Two years ago, upgrading Windows 7 or 8 to Windows 10 was free, but that is no longer the case. You now need to pay for this upgrade—at least, this is what everyone thought.

Ed Bott reported on ZDNet in October 2018 that if you upgrade an activated copy of Windows in a specific way, the resulting Windows 10 will continue to be activated. I tried this for a Windows 8.1 VM, and it worked without any problems. Here’s what I did:

1. Make sure you’re starting with an activated installation of Windows.

2. Download the Media Creation tool from the Download Windows 10 page. You must do this inside Windows, not from a Mac browser.

3. Run the Media Creation tool and choose “Upgrade this PC now” (Figure 11).

Figure 11_Using the Media Creation tool to upgrade to Windows 10

4. If you’re warned about an incompatible Parallels Display Adapter, just confirm that you understand. (Figure 12.)

Figure 12_Don’t worry about this warning if you see it

5. This issue will be taken care of when Parallels Tools reinstalls after the upgrade to Windows 10.

6. The Windows 10 upgrade files will be downloaded, and the install will proceed. Parallels Tools will automatically reinstall.

7. When finished, you will have an activated installation of Windows 10 (Figure 13).

Figure 13_Success! An activated installation of Windows 10

Don’t forget to reset the memory allocation in the upgraded VM. The increased allocation was only needed for the OS installation process.

Scenario 4: You want to move Windows 10 from a physical PC into a Parallels Desktop VM.

In this last scenario, you start out with the Installation Assistant dialog (see previous Figure 8) but choose “Transfer Windows from a PC.” You will then see the Transfer Windows dialog shown in Figure 14.

This process will copy everything from a physical PC to a Parallels Desktop VM: apps, data files, and Windows itself. The physical PC will not be modified.

The most common way to transfer is via the network. The amount of time this will take depends on how much information is on the PC and how fast your network is.

There may be several Windows PCs on your network, so you need to indicate which PC you want to migrate into a VM. Do this by installing the Parallels Transfer Agent on the PC to be migrated.

There are two computers involved in this transfer: the Windows PC you are transferring from, and the Mac running Parallels Desktop which you are transferring to. Some of the actions you’ll take to set up this transfer occur on the PC and others on the Mac, so you will need to go back and forth between the two computers to set everything up. These tasks are not complicated, as shown in this video:

Figure 15.

I hope you’ve seen how easy it is to install Windows 10 on Parallels Desktop. Feel free to download a free full-featured trial of Parallels Desktop and install Windows 10 like explained in scenario 1 right away at no extra cost.

Let us know in the comments below, on Twitter or Facebook which way of installing Windows 10 on your Mac worked best for you.

Apple finally refreshed their MacBook Pro lineup in late 2016 with refreshed designs, a new Touch Bar and many controversial decisions when it comes to ports. Despite most reviews being ho-hum about the new hardware many users are still tied to the Apple ecosystem and feel obliged to continue with their hardware.

Nonetheless, if you do have a new MacBook Pro, you can still try the zesty new world of Windows 10 for free and little effort. Today, I'll show you how to do that and give you some tips on what to expect!

Update 29 January 2017: With new MacBooks comes a new guide. With Touch Bars and giant trackpads, there's now more to configure for an optimal Windows 10 experience.

Microsoft Installing Windows On A Mac Download

Why Windows?

Apple knows the allure of Windows and PCs, which is why they build Boot Camp right into the OS. Boot Camp lets macOS users create a partition and install Windows directly on a dual-boot system. Seeing as that Apple hardware is just a refined (and pricey) PC, any modern Intel-powered MacBook from the past decade can run Windows.

One of the main reasons Mac users want to use Windows is for the superior gaming experience. Additionally, there are still many Windows-only desktop apps that some users may want or need to run. Finally, there is just the allure. Windows 10 is making many headlines these days and what better way to nab some Apple fans than with a (virtually) free new operating system?

Apple makes the process of installing Windows 10 very comfortable. In this video, I'll show you how in about 45 minutes, you can load Microsoft's latest OS on any new MacBook Pro.

In this case, we are using a 13-inch late-2016 MacBook Pro with 512 GB of storage, Touch Bar, and Intel Iris Graphics 550 for the article. In the video posted below, we're using a mid-2015 MacBook Pro 15-inch with Intel HD graphics. Nonetheless, the same principles apply.

Installing Windows 10 on a new MacBook Pro is very easy. You need two things to get started: a USB drive with at least 4 GB of space and the Windows 10 ISO.

Of course, you should also back up macOS just in case.

How to get the Windows 10 ISO

1. Plug your USB drive into your MacBook.
2. In macOS, open Safari or your preferred web browser.

3. Go to Microsoft's website to download the Windows 10 ISO

4. Select your desired version of Windows 10.

   Most users should choose Windows 10 or Windows 10 Single Language ISOs.

   Note: The KN and N versions just have reduced (non-baked in) media capabilities due to legal challenges in South Korea and the European Commission from a ruling in 2004. They are best to skip.)

5. Click Confirm.
6. Select your desired language.
7. Click Confirm.
8. Click on 64-bit download.
9. Save the ISO onto your USB drive. It is a large file (around 4GB), so the download may take a while depending on the speed of your internet connection.

How to set up Boot Camp and install Windows 10 on a Mac

Before continuing with the next steps, save anything you're working on, complete a backup of your Mac, and quit all running apps. Leave your ISO-carrying USB drive plugged in.

1. Open the Boot Camp Assistant app. You'll find it in the Utilities folder in Applications.
2. Click Continue. Boot Camp Assistant will automatically locate the ISO file on your USB drive.

3. Click and drag on the partition slider to adjust how much space will be allocated to the Windows partition.

   By default, 49GB will be set aside. You can leave the majority to macOS if that is your primary OS, or give most of it to Windows 10 — it's up to you, but you cannot resize the Windows 10 partition at a later point without deleting the entire Windows 10 install and starting over.

4. Click Install to start the process of partitioning the drive and installing Windows 10.

   You computer will restart automatically and without warning. You may see a black screen for several seconds as the partitioning process takes place. After the partitions are set, the Windows 10 installation will begin. The display drivers will not yet be scaling Widows 10, so everything will be tiny (we'll fix this later in this guide).

5. Select your language, number formats, and keyboard if prompted.
6. Click Next.
7. Click Install Now.
8. Enter your product key to activate Windows 10. If you do not have a product key, select 'Skip' instead.
9. Select the Windows 10 version you want to install. Most users will be fine with Home instead of Pro.
10. Click Next.
11. Accept the license terms
12. Click Next.
13. Select the partition labeled Drive 0 Partition X: BOOTCAMP and that its size matches the size you set earlier with the Boot Camp Assistant. Do not select any other partition, as you could overwrite your macOS installation.
14. Double check that you've selected the right partition.
15. Seriously. Drive 0 Partition X: BOOTCAMP. Nothing else.
16. Click Format. The Windows 10 Installer will reformat the partition.
17. Click Next to begin installing Windows 10.
18. Follow the on-screen prompts to install Windows 10. It will take several minutes to copy the Windows 10 files off the USB drive and install the OS.

19. The computer will reboot after finishing installation and prompt you to again enter your activation key.

    If you do not have an activation key, you can instead click 'Do this later'. You do not need to Activate Windows 10 to install it, but you can activate later.

How to set up Windows 10 on a Mac

1. Set up your Windows 10 Account. You will have to enter a username, password, and password hint.

   Windows 10 will then set up the account and install some additional files, which will take several more minutes.

2. On first boot, the Boot Camp Installer will open in Windows 10. Click Next.
3. Accept the license terms.
4. Click Install. This will install various drivers and bits of software to ensure compatibility with the MacBook Pro's hardware, including the display, trackpad, and Wi-Fi.

5. After the installation is finished, click Finish.

   The new Boot Camp app will be in the Windows 10 taskbar. With this app you can reboot back into macOS and change some settings for the keyboard and trackpad.

How to update Windows 10 on a Mac

Although you are downloading the latest version of Windows 10, you want to do an immediate update. Doing so will get you the most recent security updates and the necessary Intel Iris Pro graphics drivers for the computer. This update fixes any graphics stuttering you may have noticed.

1. Click on the Start menu.
2. Click on Settings. It is the gear icon in the left column.
3. Click on Update & Security.
4. Click on Windows Update.
5. Click on Check for updates. Windows will automatically search for, download, and install any available updates. You will likely have to restart your computer when prompted to complete the installation.

How to update Windows apps on a Mac

In Windows 10 many of the core apps like Groove Music, MSN News, Weather, and more are Windows Store apps. These are updated through the Windows Store.

1. Click on the Start menu.
2. Click on the Store button.
3. Click on the user icon in the top right corner.
4. Click on Downloads and updates

5. Click on Check for updates. The Store app will automatically download and install any available updates.

   Note: The Store app itself may receive an update, and it will automatically close itself to install the update. If this happens, simply reopen the Store app and it will continue to install the remaining updates.

How to reverse trackpad and mouse scrolling on Windows 10 on a MacBook

If you use macOS, you are likely accustomed to the way the trackpad scrolls. Apple calls it 'natural' scrolling, where dragging two fingers up on the trackpad scrolls the content up on the display. This is the opposite from most PCs (and mouse scroll wheels), which typically use 'inverted' scrolling (drag down, scroll up). You can fix that on the MacBook by using a registry modification (directions originally found on waded.org)

1. Click on the Search bar on the left side of the task bar.
2. Type Regedit.
3. Press Enter.
4. Answer Yes to the security prompt.
5. In Regedit expand the folders on the left through HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE SYSTEM CurrentControlSet Enum HID.
6. Under HID, you'll see some folders that start with VID. Expand each VID folder to Device Parameters. (Note: only one VID folder has it, so you have to try them all.)
7. Click each Device Parameters until you find the one that contains FlipFlopWheel in the right pane.
8. Double-click FlipFlopWheel.
9. Change the value from 0 to 1.
10. Click OK.
11. Repeat steps 5-8 for FlipFlopHScroll.
12. Close Regedit.
13. Restart Windows. Logging off and back on does not enable this entry.

Alternatively, you can download the free app flipflop-windows-wheel from GitHub that automates this task. Just download the file, run it and hit 'Flip.' Once again you need to reboot (not log off) to make the settings work.

Use Trackpad++ for a real Windows trackpad

Although you can reverse the scrolling by using the methods above, you won't get Microsoft's trackpad gestures like 3- and 4-finger taps. That's unfortunate, as those gestures by default are used to call up Cortana and the Action Center respectively.

Luckily, there is a free third-party app called Trackpad++ that lets you add those gestures and more through a very easy user interface. Trackpad++ has been updated to support the late-2016 MacBook Pro, giving users the following abilities:

• 2, 3 and 4-finger gestures, such as pinch-to-zoom, back / forward, middle mouse button, new Windows 10 gestures, and more
• 3-finger drag with unique option to increase the pointer speed when dragging (classic '2-fingers with click' drag also available)
• User-customizable option to ignore accidental input when typing, and many more useful tweaks/enhancements
• Improved 2-finger scrolling experience: accelerated / natural scrolling model is implemented, and 3 optimal presets provided
• Improved pointer ballistics (i.e. how the pointer speed depends on the finger speed, comes with 6 built-in optimal presets)
• Trackpad++ Control Module for adjusting the trackpad settings. All possible settings put together conveniently, see screenshot
• Full, native support of the Microsoft Windows 7 (32-bit / 64-bit), Windows 8 / 8.1 (32-bit / 64-bit), and Windows 10 (64-bit)

As a hardcore Windows 10 user, I think Trackpad++ does a solid job of approximating native Precision Touch gestures and the feel of a native Windows 10 machine. It's not perfect, and sometimes there are quirks, but overall it's a fine experience.

You can read more and download Trackpad++ from their website. If you're already a Windows user, I highly recommend using it (and donating to the project if you rely on it).

So How Is It?

Overall, Windows 10 runs fantastic on the MacBook Pro (late-2016). Battery life is great, performance is outstanding, and there is nothing that doesn't work. Even the trackpad experience is quite solid. Heck, even Cortana and the voice-activated Hey Cortana work as well.

Microsoft Installing Windows On A Mac Pro

From my experience, if you wanted, you could make this a primary Windows 10 machine, albeit a very expensive one.

However, if you are already a Mac user and are curious about Windows 10, I see no reason to not download the Windows 10 ISO and give this a shot. As a warning, older Apple hardware may have more complications, but newer devices should be A-Okay.

Stay tuned for my full experience write-up of using Windows 10 on the MacBook Pro including some more tricks.

More Info!

If you are an Apple and Mac user make sure you check out our sister site iMore for all of their Windows 10 info. It is the best spot to ease your way into the Microsoft world if you mainly use macOS.

• Windows 10 on Mac: Help and discussion forum

For more basic info on Windows 10, including some tips and our vast array of how-to articles, make sure you head to our main Windows 10 help page or jump into our forums!

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How To Install Microsoft Windows On Mac

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